Artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging in 2026 not as a futuristic concept but as a practical response to the complexity of dairy farming. Its primary value is not automation for its own sake but the ability to improve decisions across thousands of animals and management variables.

Obesity sparks intense debates, but a subtler shift is reshaping the dairy industry. GLP-1 medications, originally designed for diabetes, have surged into prominence for weight loss. GLP-1 drugs are set to redefine not just bodies but food markets, including dairy.

U.S. commercial dairy farms of nearly every size are expected to post positive margins in 2026, but the link between increased herd size and profitability is sharper than ever.

Farmers should download and learn how to interact with ChatGPT or other AI engines immediately. Learning prompts to interact with these tools are the skills required of future laborers. ChatGPT won’t replace farmers, but producers who know how to effectively use ChatGPT will replace those who don’t.

Given how essential smart devices are in everyday life, it is interesting to know which apps (software applications) dairy producers consider essential. I surveyed managers and owners of 100 of the largest U.S. dairies to find out what apps they have on their phones, and which ones they use on a daily basis.