Conferences
Managing Soybean Production Risk with the Buckeye Bean Bot
Michael Estadt
Summary
AI tools assist farmers in decisions related to crop production, integrated pest and nutrient management. Farmers commonly rely on general-purpose AI tools extracting information from public websites, but the accuracy and reliability of the recommendations depend on the credibility of the sources used. In Ohio, this can lead to recommendations that are not specific to the region, thereby increasing the risk to farmers.
This project created an AI decision tool tailored for Ohio soybean producers. This tool will provide agronomic guidance based on resources from OSU Extension and university research, customized to the soil, weather, pests, and farming practices of Ohio. The goal is to enhance farmers' ability to ask questions effectively, interpret recommendations, and implement them to minimize agronomic risks.
The Buckeye Bean Bot utilizes a transformer-based large language model that draws information from a carefully curated selection of Ohio-specific soybean resources. (Extension publications, research findings, and university websites). Instead of relying on a wide range of web sources, the tool focuses on validated materials. Agricultural experts and educators from OSU Extension assessed the tool's responses to ensure accuracy, relevance to the local context, and clarity for farmers. The tool's evaluation encompasses common decision-making scenarios related to risks in soybean production, such as seeding rates, pest management thresholds, and optimal nutrient applications.
The Buckeye Bean Bot will be accessible through Ohio State University and OSU Extension platforms as an educational and decision support tool. This initiative provides a blueprint for developing, validating and assessing other crop specific AI tools.
Details
| Conference | 2026 Extension Risk Management Education National Conference |
| Presentation Type | 30-Minute Concurrent |