Ag Uncensored with Nathan Faleide

Has AgTech Plateaued? A Commodity Classic Review

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.
 

Observers vs Players...Also Ag Nepobabies

This one is about the exact title which references another video by Barbara Corcoran of Shark Tank around a statement she made about that she mainly invests in poorer founders than rich ones. I talk about how this connects to Ag and the tech world within it.

What's the Deal with AgTech Adoption

I discuss the current state of Ag Tech adoption, focusing on the potential role of small farms, the challenges faced in data utilization, and the resistance from farmers towards new technologies. I get into the need for innovative solutions that prioritize farmer control and ownership of data, while also addressing the global landscape of agricultural technology. The conversation highlights the complexities of Ag Tech adoption and the necessity for a more tailored approach to meet the diverse needs of farmers.
 

Small Farms are the Answer for AgTech

In this episode of Ag Uncensored, I discuss the evolving landscape of agriculture, emphasizing the importance of small farms in the Agtech sector. I explore the demographic shifts in farming, the challenges faced by commodity farming, and the opportunities for small farms to thrive through specialty crops and technology. What we need to see is a more integrated approach between farmers and consumers, highlighting the need for tools that enhance traceability and quality in food production.
 

Episode 17 - Interview with the Founders of Agrible

In this episode, I sat down with Paul Miller and Bill Northcott, the innovative minds behind Agrible, to dive into their journey from agricultural roots to creating a groundbreaking AgTech company. We kicked things off by exploring how they got started and the unique challenges they faced in monetizing their technology—a tricky balance of understanding both the business and farming worlds.
One major theme was the challenge of connecting complex analytics with the everyday realities of farmers. It’s not just about crunching numbers; it’s about providing practical tools that help farmers make better decisions. We also touched on the hurdles of integrating new software into the operations of large agricultural companies—a process that often requires taking big risks.
Simplicity emerged as a key takeaway in AgTech—creating simple, effective tools might sound easy, but it’s a complex process that demands constant refinement. We discussed the ongoing consolidation in the agriculture industry, which has led to concerns about reduced competition and the challenges new startups face in breaking into the market.
We didn’t shy away from the tough stuff, like the aging population in agriculture and the critical need for government support in advancing technology. Collaboration was another hot topic, especially how data sharing and partnerships between farmers, researchers, and organizations are vital for success. The conversation also highlighted the role of extension services and education in helping farmers adopt new practices.
As we wrapped up, we looked at the broader picture—the importance of building sustainable, resilient rural communities and the lessons learned through the startup and acquisition journey in AgTech. This episode is packed with insights into the evolving world of agriculture and the essential role that technology and collaboration play in its future.
Key Takeaways and Timestamps:
Introduction and Background (00:00): Paul Miller and Bill Northcott share their agricultural backgrounds and the founding story of Agrible.
Monetizing AgTech (16:43): Discussing the challenges of monetizing Agrible's technology, including finding the right price point and business strategy.
Relating Analytics to Farmers (28:49): The difficulty of translating complex analytics into practical tools that help farmers make better decisions.
Integrating Software into Large Agricultural Companies (35:18): The risks and challenges associated with integrating new software into established agricultural companies.
Simplicity in AgTech (37:29): The importance of simplicity in developing AgTech solutions, despite the complexity of the development process.
Consolidation and Antitrust Concerns in Agriculture (38:38): The ongoing consolidation in the agriculture industry and its impact on competition.
The Need for Government Support in Agriculture (41:49): Discussing the critical role of government funding and support in advancing agricultural technology.
Building Sustainable and Resilient Rural Communities (01:06:30): Exploring the need for economic development and support for rural communities in agriculture.
Practical Implementation Support and Extension Services (01:20:08): Highlighting the gap in practical support for farmers adopting sustainable practices and the role of extension services.
Lessons Learned in the Startup and Acquisition Process (01:31:55): Reflecting on the challenges and lessons learned throughout the startup and acquisition journey in the AgTech industry.

Episode 16: Interview with Scott Sexton CEO of Ever.ag

In this episode of Ag Uncensored, I had the pleasure of interviewing Scott Sexton, the CEO of EverAg. We delved into the challenges and opportunities in the ag technology industry and highlighted the significance of creating comprehensive and interconnected solutions for the agri-food ecosystem. Scott shared his journey from the food industry into ag tech and explained how EverAg evolved from its roots in the dairy industry to expand into other sectors of the agri-food value chain.
Our discussion emphasized building an interconnected ecosystem in agriculture and the hurdles of integrating various software solutions. We talked about the importance of core systems of record, transparency, and genealogy data, as well as the challenges in funding traceability platforms. We also explored the evolution of technology in agriculture, balancing innovation with value drivers, and ensuring a return on investment.
We touched on the emotional strain within agriculture, the necessity of bringing in new talent, and managing generational transitions. The conversation wrapped up with a focus on the slow pace of technology adoption in agriculture, the importance of understanding the industry's growth process, and the evolving landscape of large agricultural organizations. We also discussed the shift in production from North America to other regions and the crucial role of trusted partners and advisors in helping farmers adopt new technologies. Throughout, we remained optimistic about the future of agriculture and the potential advancements in real-time digital transparent supply chains and AI.
 
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Scheduling Challenges02:09 Scott's Background in the Food Industry and Ag Tech08:10 Challenges and Opportunities in Ag Technology12:11 The Pace of Adoption in Agriculture23:43 Building Comprehensive Solutions for the Agri-Food Ecosystem29:12 The Shift Towards Traceability and Sustainability in the Agri-Food Industry31:03 Building an Interconnected Ecosystem in Agriculture32:07 The Challenges of Funding Traceability Platforms39:02 Balancing Innovation with Value Drivers49:27 Addressing the Emotional Strain in Agriculture57:23 The Slow Pace of Adoption in Agriculture01:05:34 The Evolution of Large Agricultural Organizations01:06:12 Production Shift: North America to Global Markets01:07:10 The Slow Adoption of Technology in the US Agriculture Industry01:09:32 The Role of Trusted Partners and Advisors in Technology Adoption01:11:33 The Importance of Patience, Innovation, and Capitalization01:16:00 The Potential of Real-Time Digital Transparent Supply Chains and AI

Episode 15 - Interview with Kerwin Bradley CPO of Black Gold Farms

Hey everyone, welcome back to Ag Uncensored! This is Nathan Faleide, your host. Today, I had the pleasure of talking with Kerwin Bradley from Black Gold Farms. We had planned to do this live at the Cultivate Conference in Fargo, but doing it online was much easier and laid back.
Kerwin shared his fascinating journey in agriculture, from growing up on a wheat farm in Montana to working at Walt Disney World, and eventually becoming the Chief Production Officer at Black Gold Farms. We dived deep into the complexities of potato farming and the unique challenges and innovations in the industry. Here are some key takeaways from our conversation:
Key Takeaways:
Potato Production Complexity (08:31.822)
Potato farming is highly intensive and requires meticulous care due to the crop’s perishability and susceptibility to diseases and pests. Kerwin emphasized that everything wants to eat a potato, making it one of the most challenging crops to grow.
Importance of Sustainability and Innovation (12:18.894)
Sustainability in potato farming is multifaceted. It involves not just reducing inputs but also ensuring the quality and yield are maintained. Innovations like biologicals and precision farming technologies are explored, but their adoption is often limited by practicality and measurable impact.
Challenges with Technology Implementation (41:25.07)
Deploying new technologies on the farm is challenging due to the need for additional bandwidth and specialized personnel. Kerwin highlighted the difficulty in justifying the cost and measuring the value of new tech, making it crucial for providers to offer easy-to-use and low-cost solutions initially.
Sustainability and Regenerative Agriculture (53:58.713)
Collaboration with land partners and adopting regenerative agriculture practices can significantly improve sustainability scores. However, this requires a shift from a “do no harm” approach to proactive collaboration across crop rotations and input management.
Future of Ag Tech and Collaboration (01:09:57.817)
The future of agriculture lies in more robust collaboration and understanding between producers and technology providers. Kerwin stressed the need for solutions that address real problems in a practical and efficient manner, enabling farmers to maintain productivity while meeting sustainability goals.
Thanks for tuning in, and I hope you found this episode insightful. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share Ag Uncensored with your friends. Stay tuned for more episodes where we dive into the real-world challenges and innovations in agriculture. See you next time!

Episode 14: Just me, your host, bitching about CLUs

Hey everyone, welcome back to another episode of Ag Uncensored. Today, it’s just me, Nathan Faleide, with a solo episode on a topic that’s both frustrating and essential: CLUs and acreage reporting. Buckle up, because this ride might get a bit bumpy.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background03:24 Acreage Reporting Season and Deadlines07:19 The Impact of CLU Inaccuracies on Program Payments10:15 The Inaccuracies of CLU Data15:04 The Cost of Inaccurate CLUs26:01 The Need for Change in the Reporting Process28:00 Conclusion

Episode 13: Interview with Ehsan Soltan, Founder and CEO of Soiltech Wireless

The conversation covers the journey of Eshan Soltan, the Founder and CEO of SoilTech Wireless with host Nathan Faleide. We dive through his products, and the challenges of integrating technology into agriculture. It delves into the importance of understanding the needs of farmers, the slow development process, and the impact of timing and scalability in the industry. The conversation covers a wide range of topics related to agriculture technology, including challenges in the industry, the importance of simplicity, the role of champions in integration, and the need for effective customer support. The discussion also touches on the excitement around industry cooperation and the upcoming Cultivate Conference in Fargo.
 
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to SoilTech Wireless and Its Journey
03:00 Challenges and Integration of Technology in Agriculture
13:09 Understanding the Needs of Farmers in Agriculture Technology
51:06 The Role of Champions in Integration
01:05:09 Simplicity and Functionality in Agriculture Technology
01:09:17 Excitement Around Industry Cooperation and the Cultivate Conference

Episode 12 - AgTech Adoption Sucks, Why and How to Help It: A Personal Update

Overview: Hey everyone, it's Nathan Faleide, your host of Ag Uncensored. In this episode, I share my vision for evolving the podcast format and introduce new ideas to help bridge the gap between technology adoption and practical usage in agriculture. I'll discuss the challenges we face in the industry, the potential for new content formats, and my experiences and plans for future episodes.
Timestamped Takeaways:
00:01: I start off by explaining the delay in releasing this episode due to sickness and travel, and discuss new directions for the podcast, including more solo content and weekly or monthly agricultural topics.
02:25: I reminisce about my earlier project, "Easy Observations," which focused on Earth observation and its applications in agriculture, and consider broadening the podcast's scope to include general space and Earth observation topics.
04:50: I'm interested in creating video showcases to highlight actual work being done in agriculture technology (Ag Tech) and providing honest evaluations of various software and tools in the industry.
06:56: I discuss the complexity and diversity of Ag Tech, the multitude of software and systems available, and the challenges of integrating and adopting these technologies in real-world agricultural settings.
09:22: I delve into the issues of low adoption rates for Ag Tech solutions, the overwhelming variety of tools, and the unrealistic marketing claims made by some companies. Transparency and practical demonstrations are crucial.
13:49: I introduce the concept of "gamifying" Ag software to make it more engaging and easier to use, drawing parallels to the gaming industry's approach to user education.
18:45: I outline a typical user's experience with Ag software, highlighting the frustrations and barriers they face, from confusing interfaces to unhelpful training resources and pushy sales tactics.
21:10: I propose creating video content where I, as a non-expert user, navigate various Ag software with guidance from company representatives, providing a realistic perspective on the software's usability and features.
25:54: I emphasize the importance of showing the development and functionality of software over time, rather than waiting for a perfect product, and how transparency can build trust and improve adoption.
30:50: I discuss the broader implications of software transparency for the Ag industry, encouraging companies to showcase their products openly and address both strengths and weaknesses honestly.
35:32: I highlight the need for an accessible platform where users can see and compare different Ag software in action, helping users make informed decisions and reducing the intimidation factor of new technologies.
39:12: I address the reluctance of some companies to showcase their software, fearing competition or criticism, and how open demonstration can drive improvement and adoption.
43:57: I point out the logistical challenges of transitioning to new software and the need for ongoing, accessible training content, suggesting that gamified, user-driven content could ease these transitions.
48:25: I reflect on the industry's tendency to target a small, high-end user base while neglecting broader adoption, calling for a more inclusive approach to technology adoption in agriculture.
50:17: I conclude by reiterating my plan to create and host these software showcase videos, encouraging feedback and collaboration from listeners and industry stakeholders.
52:29: I invite listeners to share their thoughts and express interest in participating in or supporting my new content initiative. Future collaborations and a continued focus on transparency and practical solutions in Ag Tech are on the horizon.
54:38: Wrapping up, I acknowledge the unique and experimental nature of this discussion and tease more unconventional content in future episodes. Your engagement and feedback are crucial as we move forward.
That’s it for this episode. I hope you enjoyed it and are as excited as I am about the new directions we’re exploring. See you next time!