Labor shortages are the primary driver of agricultural mechanization in the U.S., as automation helps compensate for reduced manual labor.

Agricultural mechanization in the U.S. has primarily resulted from a labor shortage. Urbanization, higher wages, and fewer new entrants into the agriculture sector have led to a decline in farm workers. Consequently, technology and machinery have become essential for sustaining productivity. Equipment such as tractors, harvesters, and automated planting systems allow farmers to perform tasks previously done by hand, reducing the need for a large workforce. While factors like export demands, innovation subsidies, and rising food prices have also fueled mechanization, the ongoing labor shortage remains the main driver behind the increased adoption of agricultural machinery and automation.