As farmers take their first steps into the world of artificial intelligence, they are finding that the tech won’t replace experience, but can support decision-making, and accelerate tasks.
Inside Dairy
3 min read
Image generated with AI.
Artificial insemination isn’t the only AI on-farm anymore – farmers are now exploring artificial intelligence (AI) to speed up tasks and support decisions. More New Zealand farmers are giving these tools a go, but trust and accuracy remain key.
Perrin Ag senior consultant Rachel Durie authored a DairyNZ-commissioned report in response to farmer interest in the potential of generative AI (GenAI).
“The number of farmers that are using GenAI is still pretty small, but we found farmers using it for decision support, task enhancement and communication support,” Rachel said.
She spoke with farmers, DairyNZ, rural professionals and AI experts like Agritech NZ, AI Forum and Lincoln Agritech. It was found that some farmers are using GenAI daily and building custom GenAI-driven tools to solve their farm-specific challenges.
Large language models (LLMs), such as ChatGPT, are the most commonly used GenAI tools among dairy farmers and are trained on vast amounts of text.
They generate responses by predicting word patterns. This can produce information that sounds confident but isn’t always correct, and the technology sometimes even “hallucinates” inaccurate answers.
Generative AI is a branch of artificial intelligence that focuses on creating new content, such as text or imagery. Popular tools farmers are using include large language models like ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini and Claude.
GenAI is being used to build farm chatbots and custom breeding tools. One farmer created a chatbot tailored to his own grazing and supplement procedures, linking to trusted resources like DairyNZ animal health and calf-rearing guides, Federated Farmers contract guidance, and the Fonterra supplier handbook, Rachel said.
“He built this chatbot and customised it around how he likes to run the farm with information that he trusts.”
Farm staff can then use the chatbot to answer questions they have about the farm’s management.
Image generated with AI.
Image generated with AI.
DairyNZ senior scientist Callum Eastwood, who leads the workplace productivity programme, has been following AI developments and its adoption by farmers with interest.
“We’re working with farmers to understand how GenAI can help onfarm, and what the risks, limitations and ethical issues are that we need to consider.”
Rachel said the farmer with the chatbot still explains the tool’s limits to staff, because it can sometimes provide incorrect information.
“His message to his team is that if it doesn’t sound right, it probably isn’t, but he is also quite mindful that when he is using it, he’s using it as a support tool – not a decision-maker.”
He is also quite mindful that when he is using it, he’s using it as a support tool – not a decision-maker.
As with all GenAI systems, the quality of the outputs depends on the quality of the data they’re trained on. Over time, as tools are used more and fed better farm-specific information, their accuracy and usefulness are likely to improve.
GenAI could eventually make autonomous decisions in repetitive, low-risk areas. However, that will require better data, further development of the technology, and increased trust.
“Moving to the next stage of AI use on farms is a big jump. Trust depends on what that tool is used for.”
Currently, most farmers use GenAI directly such as ChatGPT, but GenAI is starting to appear in other platforms, too. DairyNZ has DAiSY (dairynz.co.nz/about-daisy), and Beef + Lamb NZ, FAR and Xero have also added the technology, she said.
Callum said the technology is advancing rapidly and he expects adoption to increase as it improves and offers more time-saving opportunities.
“A priority in dairy is making sure we have got our digital data in order, at both a farm and sector level, so when farmers are ready to jump into AI, they can access the right information.”
A big opportunity is the ability to have a conversation with GenAI tools, instead of having to type in instructions.
For farmers working outdoors, that is a huge bonus, as is the technology’s ability to speak different languages – an advantage for farmers with staff whose first language isn’t English, he said.
Find a summary of the report’s findings at dairynz.co.nz/ai-report
This article was originally published in Inside Dairy February-April 2026.
Now’s the perfect time to check in, plan, and set up for a strong season. We’ve pulled together smart tips and tools to help you stay ahead all winter long.
Whether you prefer to read, listen, or download handy guides, we’ve got you covered with trusted tools to support your journey every step of the way.
Put our proven strategies and seasonal tools to work. Boost production, support animal health and watch your profits hum.
Tools that are backed by science, shaped by farmers and made for this season.
That’s Summer Smarts.
Autumn Smarts brings together the research-backed tools that build resilience and boost performance.
The tools and insights you need to navigate the season with confidence. Backed by research and built for results – that’s Winter Smarts.
