Are we even building the right robot? I get into the humanoid endgame, why field robots get stuck on a fallen cornstalk, the economics nobody showcases, and why pimping my 30 year old tractor makes more sense than a million dollar 9RX.

I'm back after almost a year off. In this one I get into the turning page happening in AgTech right now... why the outside money era is dead, how AI vibe coding has everyone rebuilding their systems, and why the value was never the code anyway. It's the understanding, connections, and trust. Plus why ag software's future looks more like woodworking than a startup. Check out the AgTech directory and as always, like, share, subscribe.

In this episode of Ag Uncensored, host Nathan Faleide interviews Randy Barker, CEO of Intent, a company in the AgTech space. They discuss the evolution of precision agriculture practices from Western Canada and the US, the challenges of proving the effectiveness of AgTech solutions, and the role of AI and ML in agriculture. They also touch on the importance of agronomy and the need for practicality and skepticism when it comes to adopting new technologies. The conversation explores the challenges and debates surrounding the adoption of new agricultural technologies and equipment. It delves into the dilemma faced by farmers when deciding whether to upgrade to expensive, high-tech equipment or stick with their current, reliable tools. The conversation also touches on the limited market size for advanced agricultural technology and the importance of understanding the needs and preferences of farmers. It highlights the need for trust and confidence in the use of data in agriculture and the value of long-term, sustainable approaches in the industry. In this final part of the conversation, Nathan and Randy discuss the challenges and opportunities in the agriculture industry. They touch on topics such as investment strategies, the importance of understanding the financial aspects of farming, the need for smart decision-making in corporate agriculture, and the potential risks and benefits of biologicals in agriculture. They emphasize the importance of self-governance and responsible innovation in the industry.

00:00 Introduction and Background

09:21 Challenges in Proving the Effectiveness of AgTech Solutions

30:53 The Upgrade Dilemma

46:38 The Importance of Long-Term, Sustainable Approaches

01:01:34 Navigating the Financial Aspects of Farming

01:09:39 The Potential Risks and Benefits of Biologicals in Agriculture

01:19:09 The Importance of Self-Governance and Responsible Innovation in Agriculture

Summary

In this episode of Ag Uncensored, I interview Michael Ott, CEO of Cquesta and former CEO and founder of Rantizo. We discuss the use of drones in agriculture, specifically in the area of spraying crops. Michael shares his experience in the ag tech industry and how he got into drones and spraying. We also discuss the challenges and opportunities in the drone spraying market. Later in the conversation, we delve into Cquesta, a company that uses gene editing technology to modify root architecture in crops, allowing them to tolerate stress and store carbon underground. We discuss the potential of this technology in carbon sequestration and its integration into the existing agricultural system. In this conversation, Michael Ott and I discuss various topics related to agriculture technology and innovation. We touch on the importance of having principles in decision-making, the need for smart and targeted solutions in ag tech, and the challenges and opportunities in the industry. We also discuss the role of data in agriculture, the value of partnerships and collaborations, and the future of ag tech. Overall, the conversation highlights the need for innovative solutions that address specific challenges in agriculture and the potential for technology to drive positive change.

Takeaways

• Drones are becoming more common in agriculture, particularly in the area of spraying crops.
• The reliability of drones and the ability to spray in specific areas have contributed to their increased adoption.
• Cquesta uses gene editing technology to modify root architecture in crops, allowing them to tolerate stress and store carbon underground.
• Cquesta aims to integrate their technology into the existing agricultural system, working with seed companies and farmers to provide a no-cost solution for carbon sequestration.
• The measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) system can be used to quantify the carbon sequestration benefits of various technologies, including gene editing and microbial applications. Having principles in decision-making is important, especially in the ever-changing landscape of agriculture.
• Smart and targeted solutions are needed in ag tech to address specific challenges and optimize outcomes.
• Data plays a crucial role in agriculture, and leveraging it effectively can lead to better decision-making and improved outcomes.
• Partnerships and collaborations are valuable in the ag tech industry, as they can bring together different expertise and resources to drive innovation.
• The future of ag tech holds great potential for solving complex problems and creating positive change in the industry.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

07:45 The Potential of Drone Application

24:04 The Future of Sequestra and Carbon Sequestration

31:37 Introduction and Laughter

39:22 The Value of Partnerships and Collaborations

58:44 End

Introducing the debut episode of 'Ag Uncensored', a podcast diving into the fascinating world of Agricultural Technology. Uncover the unvarnished truths about the industry with your host, Nathan Faleide. This episode focuses on Farmers Edge, a pioneering Ag-tech company, and its new leadership under CEO Vibhore Arora. Journey with us as we explore their personal narratives, intertwined with the company's evolution, and their visions for the future of the ag-tech industry.

In an engaging conversation with Vibhore Arora, who has an illustrious career stretching from India to Amazon Canada, we delve into his unique shift to Farmers Edge which he views as both a challenge and a meaningful opportunity. Listen in as they discuss their close past association, successes, setbacks, and a sneak peek into a thriving company's plans under new leadership.

Go behind the scenes to learn about the strategic changes within Farmer's Edge, the leading Ag-tech trailblazer. The company aims to pioneer the technology landscape for growers, retailers, co-ops, and large enterprise partners. Gain insights into the lessons learned from their past, and their commitment to enhancing the company's focus on centralizing their operations, being customer-centric, and strategic decision-making.

Tune in for candid revelations, stimulating discussions, and enlightening reflections about the world of agri-tech, Farmer's Edge, and the future of agriculture technology. Join us in shining a spotlight on this incredible journey. Subscribe, share, comment and stay tuned for more raw, personal, and exclusive content from the dynamic world of Ag-Tech.

We often all have great ideas to solve big problems and Ag in no different. When we bridge tech in the mix it gets fun as you can fake it make it sort of a lot easier than say making a tractor. Well, let's talk about it then...

Here is some of my thoughts around the Commodity Classic in Denver, discussing the current state of agriculture, market sentiments, and the evolving landscape of Ag Tech. I talk about the uncertainty in the market, the importance of sustainability, and the role of precision agriculture. I get into the potential of biological products, the need for transparency in data, and the collaboration required within the industry to address challenges and seize opportunities. Also there is always the significance of government support and the future outlook for agriculture as various trends converge.