Lindsay Bets on AI to Help Farmers Improve Profitability as Irrigation Sales Decline

Lindsay Corporation is leaning more heavily on artificial intelligence (AI) and digital agriculture tools as weak farm economics continue to weigh on irrigation equipment sales, with executives positioning software as a long-term growth driver during the company's fiscal third-quarter earnings call.

The irrigation equipment maker reported fiscal third-quarter revenue of $160.8 million, down 5% year over year, while diluted earnings per share came in at $1.53, ahead of analyst expectations. The company said North American irrigation demand remains subdued as growers continue delaying capital purchases amid challenging commodity prices, high production costs, and ongoing trade uncertainty.

Despite the softer equipment market, Lindsay expects technology revenue to grow at a double-digit rate during fiscal 2026, reflecting a broader shift among agricultural equipment manufacturers toward software and connected services even as machinery demand slows.

AI Takes a Larger Role in Irrigation Management

Management devoted a significant portion of the earnings call to the company's AI initiatives, particularly FieldNET Advisor, which uses AI models to recommend irrigation schedules based on weather conditions, crop growth stages, and soil characteristics.