Corteva and University of Illinois leverage AI to advance pest control and sustainability

In a pivotal meeting of the Environment Subcommittee, experts gathered to discuss the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in agriculture, particularly in the realm of agrichemicals. The atmosphere was charged with urgency as speakers highlighted the pressing challenges facing American farmers and the innovative solutions AI offers.

Dr. Luce from Corteva Agriscience opened the discussion by illustrating how AI is revolutionizing farming practices. He shared insights on a fungicide timing model that utilizes specific field data to optimize treatment schedules, significantly boosting crop yields by 4 to 10 bushels per acre. This not only enhances sustainability but also increases farmers' profits. "AI is transforming everything we do at Corteva," he stated, emphasizing the need for government support to maintain America's competitive edge in agricultural innovation.

The conversation took a sobering turn when Dr. Daniel Swale from the University of Florida addressed the alarming decline in the availability of effective pesticides. He noted that the U.S. has fallen behind countries like Japan and China in agrochemical innovation, which poses a serious threat to the economic viability of the agricultural sector. Swale pointed to the Florida citrus industry, which has faced near collapse due to the Asian citrus psyllid, a pest that has become increasingly difficult to control due to regulatory hurdles and a shrinking arsenal of effective insecticides. He advocated for the integration of AI in discovering new agrochemicals, particularly from natural sources, to overcome these challenges.

Dr. Boris Cameletti from the University of Illinois further underscored the potential of AI in disease management. His research focuses on using satellite imagery and machine learning to detect Red Crown Rot in soybean fields, a disease that can devastate crops. By creating targeted treatment maps, farmers can apply fungicides more efficiently, reducing chemical use by up to 75% while maintaining crop health. Cameletti emphasized the collaborative efforts at his university, which leverage public investment to develop tools that serve the agricultural community.

As the meeting concluded, the consensus was clear: AI is not merely a trend but a vital tool for addressing the urgent challenges in agriculture. The experts called for increased public-private partnerships and investments in research to harness the full potential of AI, ensuring that American farmers can thrive in an increasingly competitive global market. The race for agricultural innovation is on, and the stakes have never been higher.