Nebraska agriculture has long depended on a mix of family labor, hired workers, and custom operators. In recent years, more producers have added advanced technology to that mix to boost efficiency, manage risk, and cope with labor shortages (USDA, 2022). Automation, precision systems, robotics, and data platforms are not just changing how tasks are done; they are also changing the types of skills farms need on the payroll. Understanding these shifts in labor demand is increasingly important for farm managers, Extension educators, rural communities, and workforce planners (Sand, 2023; USDA, 2022).
Technology Adoption in Nebraska Agriculture
Nebraska farmers are embracing a growing range of digital tools. UNL Extension reports that Nebraska producers are among the national leaders in adopting precision agriculture technologies, including GPS guidance, yield monitoring, variable‑rate input application, and digital irrigation management (Irmak, 2019; Schimmelpfennig, 2016; UNL Extension, 2024a). Recent UNL work on digital agriculture notes rapidly expanding use of sensors, drones, robotics, and cloud‑based systems across both crop and livestock sectors (Balboa, et.al , 2024; Strategic Discussions for Nebraska, 2023). Broadband connectivity, documented in FCC broadband deployment reports, has improved substantially in rural Nebraska, supporting remote monitoring, farm management software, and data sharing (FCC, 2023; USDA NASS, 2023).
In livestock operations, technologies such as electronic ID tags, automated feeding systems, remote water monitoring, and precision livestock tools are spreading quickly. Research by Bewley and others on precision dairy management and automation, as well as work on precision livestock farming adoption, documents how these systems change both labor needs and management tasks (Bewley, 2015; Bewley & Dolecheck, 2018; Brummer et al., 2021; Boyle et al., 2022).
Labor Substitutions and Changing Job Roles
Automation frequently substitutes for repetitive manual labor. Robotic milking systems, automated or semi-autonomous tractors, sensor-driven irrigation systems, and automated feeding equipment can significantly reduce time spent on routine tasks (Bewley, 2015; King et al., 2020; Irmak, 2019). Rather than simply eliminating workers, however, these technologies shift labor demand toward higher‑skill roles focused on oversight, troubleshooting, and decision‑making. Employees are increasingly expected to manage data, interface with software, and coordinate with vendors, instead of performing traditional manual labor. This creates demand for workers with blended skills in agriculture, mechanics, and information technology (USDA, 2022; Nebraska Community College Consortium, 2023).
Source : unl.edu