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We hear it a lot:
“Farmers won’t use technology.”
“They still want to call.”
“Paper checks work just fine.”
We get it. Farming is built on relationships. It’s how trust is earned and how business gets done. But here’s the thing: technology isn’t replacing relationships—it’s making them stronger. And the data tells us the shift is already happening.
In our latest State of the Farm survey of over 1,300 farmers, 40% still say they prefer to sell grain or order inputs through conversation. But that doesn’t mean they want to do everything over the phone.
Farmers under 50, in particular, are asking for digital tools that give them more control and flexibility:
So no, farmers aren’t abandoning phone calls. They still want to talk strategy with their grain buyer or agronomist. But they also want to act on their own timeline—after the conversation, when they’ve had a chance to think through their plan.
Just because your farmers aren’t asking for digital tools doesn’t mean they won’t use them.
“It’s fun to look back at our journey of adopting Bushel. Our growers weren’t demanding the technology when we decided to move forward with it. But now? Our growers are telling us they don’t know how they ever operated without it,” said John Melland, CFO of The Arthur Companies.
Let’s stop guessing. Let’s look at what farmers actually say.
💬 “When farmers use digital tools, they give them high marks.”
📊 NPS Score: 53 from farmers using our white-labeled apps.
That’s considered excellent in any industry.
This isn’t just adoption—it’s satisfaction. The experience works. Farmers like the convenience, the transparency, and the ability to take action when it works for them.
Again: just because no one’s complaining, doesn’t mean they don’t want a better way.
One of our customers added a simple link to a new farmer portal on their website—no big announcement, no push campaigns. Just the option.
📈 Within a few days, 50 farmers had already signed up.
They didn’t need a nudge. They were ready.
Farmers may not be asking out loud, but they’re paying attention. When you build tools that make their job easier—they show up.
“It’s moved from pushing technology to farmers to us wanting it to now the next generation just assuming the technology is right there. It's up to Bushel to provide it and give them the technology in the palm of their hand.” Rodd Beyer, a farmer said at the 2024 Bushel Buddy Seat Conference.
What if your farmer could lock in a firm offer through the app after your phone call—then get a contract automatically filled when their price target hits?
Or what if they could check updated pricing or submit a quote request while sitting at the kitchen table at 10 p.m.—instead of waiting to call the next day?
That’s not replacing your relationship. That’s giving it room to grow.
No one builds loyalty through back-and-forth calls to confirm grain prices or repeat input quotes. But those touchpoints add friction—on both sides.
When you enable digital tools:
And when that happens? Your business isn’t just easier to work with—it’s better to work with.
Today, many grain and ag retail facilities are asking themselves:
Yes, relationships still matter. But farmers—especially under 50—want more digital options. They want to have the conversation and take action later. They want to know their input quote is saved and their grain offer is live.
And just because they aren’t asking for it directly doesn’t mean they don’t want it.
In fact, when you give them the option? They take it.
And most of all, they want to work with agribusinesses who meet them where they are. Whether it’s at the counter, on the phone, or in an app.
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