Tactical Talent Management: Bridging the Knowledge Gap The first step in AI adoption is cultivating a workforce that is ready for change. (Yes, we are talking about culture now). Look to initiate tailored training and employee engagement programs that cater to different learning preferences within your multigenerational workforce. This step not only bridges the knowledge gap but also instills confidence in employees by showcasing AI as an enhancement to their skills and productivity rather than a threat to job security. Encourage mentorship programs to facilitate knowledge sharing between experienced and newer employees. The younger generation will most likely adopt and… Read More »
Naio robot with LiDAR, camera and GNSS antenna in the top center front. (Photo: Mark Pasveer) Autonomous robots are one of, if not the hottest trends in precision agriculture at this moment. These robots are equipped with a wide range of technologies and sensors. Because farming is about achieving the best results with minimal effort, I advise farmers to consider the capabilities and the level of autonomy the robots have before purchasing one. This is more important than focusing on fancy lights, colors, and options that don’t add any value to their basic operations. For a robot to be truly… Read More »
Guardian Agriculture Nets $20m Series A Guardian Agriculture has raised a $20 million Series A round led by Fall Line Capital to expand its autonomous drone technology to farms across the US and ramp-up manufacturing of its SC1 aircraft. The raise brings Guardian’s cumulative funding to $35 million. Founded in 2017 with a focus on large-scale agriculture, the Woburn, Massachusetts-based company has more than $100 million in pre-orders and will begin commercial operations to support customer (and investor) Wilbur-Ellis in Salinas Valley, California, this summer. The first Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) company with Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) approval… Read More »
(Photo: Andres reto Molina / unsplash) Many small- and medium-scale family farms aren’t adopting artificial intelligence because it’s out of their price range and area of expertise. Can drones make it more accessible? Why Is AI Out of Reach to Smallholder Farmers? Many smallholder farmers can’t afford — or don’t know how — to integrate algorithms into their processes. In the U.S., small family farms making less than $350,000 before expenses accounted for 88.1% of all farms in 2022. Needless to say, they don’t have enough for AI. Most smallholder and medium-scale farmers will need a mid-sized AI because crop,… Read More »
Innovation is Where Dealers Come to Grow! While agtech venture funding has slowed within the industry over time, the implications of technology, complex interactions between companies, and macro trends continue to drive compelling new themes to pay attention to for agribusiness professionals such as yourself. Follow along for highlights and predictions (although, not intentional) of some themes surrounding agtech and agribusiness you may want to pay attention to. They are in no particular order. Also featured are other ag innovation articles on: Precision Spraying: Discover who is dominating the industry in precision spraying and learn more about the different options… Read More »
Recently, I’ve seen a lot of autonomous vehicles, electric tractors, ag robots, and AI enhanced equipment at World Ag Expo, FIRA USA and Agritechnica. Out of all the new tech equipment, I believe the first large-scale adoption will come in precision spraying. Herbicide-resistant weeds have proliferated over the past years. There are also numerous negative reports on the environmental and health impacts of using farm chemicals, including a recent report that came out showing Midwest states having the largest increased rate of cancer. Also, Bayer has fought over 110,000 lawsuits and still has more than 50,000 to go on the… Read More »
