Bushel, an agricultural software company, has released its 2025 State of the Farm Report, offering insights into U.S. farmers' business practices and technology usage. The report, based on responses from over 1,300 farmers, highlights a growing integration of digital tools alongside traditional relationship-based business practices.
Jake Joraanstad, CEO of Bushel, emphasized, "Farmers aren't choosing between relationships and technology—they expect both. The tools that stick are the ones that remove friction and make it easier to work with the people they already trust."
Key findings include:
In-person interactions remain important, with 39% of farmers preferring face-to-face grain offer submissions. However, 35% of farmers under 50 expressed willingness to use mobile apps for this purpose.
Record-keeping has largely gone digital, with 76% of farmers using farm management software.
Farmers remain optimistic, with 35% planning to grow their operations and 50% maintaining current size.
Digital payments are gaining traction, especially among younger farmers. 61% of farmers under 40 prefer mobile app payments or fund transfers.
Profitability remains a top concern, with farmers increasingly using software to track costs and make informed decisions.
The report suggests that age 50 is now the tipping point for stronger digital preferences in farming practices. Despite technological advancements, the agricultural industry continues to balance traditional relationships with digital innovation.
