[hueving]

>I doubt that eliminating human labor costs would move the needle, automating farms seems like a low ROI move

If that were true, the farms in California wouldn't be filled with illegal immigrants.

[sebleon]

Ah, looks like you're right:

USDA: "Wages, salaries, and contract labor expenses represent roughly 17 percent of total variable farm costs, and as much as 40 percent of costs in labor intensive crops such as fruits, vegetables, and nursery products." [1]

[1] https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/farm-economy/farm-labor/back...