CNH releases “Farmer Pulse”, the AgTech adoption edition. The report captures how farmers across North America are responding to the forces shaping modern agriculture through research and firsthand insights from the field.
The inaugural edition explores AgTech adoption, examining how farmers are using precision technology today, where they see measurable value, and what will influence future investment.
Based on a survey of 217 farmers and ranchers across the United States and Canada in May 2026, the report finds that precision technology has become part of everyday farming for many operations. Nearly 9 in 10 respondents (89%) use auto-guidance technology, while 71% say precision technology is important to the success of their operation. More than half also expect to invest in additional precision technology over the next two years.
The findings show farmers are embracing technologies that help improve efficiency, reduce input costs, optimize labor resources, and increase yields. At the same time, they are looking for solutions that are easier to use, more reliable, and capable of delivering a clear return on investment.
“The next chapter of precision agriculture will be defined by making technology easier to use, easier to trust, and easier to prove its value. This research shows farmers recognize the benefits of precision technology and are ready to continue investing in it,” said Eric Shuman, Global Product Management, Precision Technology at CNH. “The opportunity now is to remove the barriers that slow adoption by delivering solutions that are intuitive, reliable, and built around the realities of farming. Our focus is helping farmers spend less time managing technology and more time putting it to work to improve productivity, reduce costs, and increase profitability.”
Among the report’s key findings
- Nearly 9 in 10 farmers (89%) surveyed use auto-guidance technology, demonstrating that precision technology has become mainstream in farming.
- 62% say the precision technology they use delivers moderate or extremely high value, reinforcing that farmers are seeing measurable returns on their investments.
- 74% cite reducing input costs as a primary reason for adopting precision technology, followed by saving time and improving labor efficiency (70%) and increasing yields (59%).
- 54% expect to invest in additional precision technology within the next two years.
- Cost (56%), uncertainty about return on investment (36%), the need for more training (21%), connectivity (13%), and ease of use (11%) remain the leading barriers to broader adoption.
CNH Farmer Pulse is a recurring research initiative designed to provide a real-time view of the priorities, challenges, and opportunities shaping agriculture. Future editions will explore additional topics influencing the future of farming.
To read the full CNH Farmer Pulse, AgTech adoption report, click here.
