Agriculture Shorts

According to Hidden Market Gems, forecasts suggested that the “smart agriculture” market equaled more than $30 billion in 2025, more than double 2023. The market for artificial intelligence (AI) applications was expected to reach around $5 billion, the agricultural internet of things (IoT) devices like soil moisture sensors and connected farm machines, $20 billion, and drones for crop imaging and spraying, $6 billion . . . Oklahoma State livestock economist Derrell Peel said USDA data shows there are 26,082 feedlots in the U.S., with 24,000 of them having less than 1,000 head capacity, amounting to 92% of feedlots. These small feedlots only accounted for 12.9% of feedlot marketings in 2025 . . . Feedstuffs reported that Lubbock Feeders, with a 50,000 head capacity, is closing after 70 years of operation. Mexican cattle comprised 60-70% of the yard’s inventory . . . Kris Bosquet of the Nebraska Dairy Association says Nebraska county zoning officials approved a 200,000 head feedlot and over 500 poultry barns over the last two years.