Ag Uncensored with Nathan Faleide

The Shifting Norms and Limits in AgTech

Alright, so this one’s a bit of a mobile ramble—I’m in the pickup, no dogs, just rolling through the wind and rain, thinking out loud about how tech is driving equipment decisions more than the machines themselves. I talk about how OEMs are fumbling or thriving based on how seamless their tech works, and how farmers—especially bigger ones—are buying based on that. But I also dig into why smaller farms aren't jumping on the robot bandwagon, and how a lot of AgTech folks miss the whole point because they’ve never actually done the job they're trying to replace.

A Grand Inquisition: Secretary of Ag visits ND

Well some big government officials and politicians are in ND to talk about Ag. I talk about this on a drive with my dogs in the country side where they also will be visiting nearby my home at the Grand Farm an AgTech testing farm and facility. I get into my thoughts on how the USDA can do better with digital data and processes. There is a lot to talk about and I hope the people around them today and beyond can get the right messages across. This is how I'm doing it. Enjoy!

The Masters and AgTech...yeah it's a golf thing

In this episode, I went off on kind of a fun tangent—comparing the Masters golf tournament to AgTech and farming. It might sound like a stretch, but hear me out. Golf is this game where most people just want to play and enjoy it, not win a championship. Same goes for most farmers. They’re not trying to be the top yield winner, they’re just trying to make things work with the tools they’ve got.
I talk about how the media and industry are obsessed with the latest shiny ag tech—like we’re all supposed to buy the $600 driver just to be better. But that’s not how it works. Most farmers, like most golfers, aren’t using all the fancy new stuff. They just want things that make sense for their setup. So yeah, this one’s a little different—more of a perspective piece.
AgTech doesn’t need to be a game only for the pros. We’ve got to understand who’s playing and what clubs they already have before we try to sell them a new driver. Hope it makes you think a bit differently about adoption, investment, and why some tools never really take off.

A Shift in AgTech Fear Mongering

We have to be reminded sometimes of how cruel business can be and who are the ones that try and make the big moves over control towards those that create. It's not just David vs Goliath, it's morality vs greed often. The fear that controls this narrative is big and it's used to keep people in place where they want. AgTech needs to get out of this rut and start making what is needed for the industry. This episode I go through that, give some of my own examples, and even some fresh ones.

Get Ready! AgTech Consultants Abound!

While there are plenty of great things being built in AgTech, we are also in a downsizing phase and a reset. With that comes likely an inbound of new consultants coming into play while some try and find new career paths. I talk more on that and how some could navigate that while trying to make sure we understand all the nuance around it all.

A Pit of Something: My World Agri-Tech Review

In this little diddy I reflect upon my visits to the World Agri-Tech Conference in San Fran. I walk through my experience, the general conference, and other thoughts and trends (along with a few rumors) from my visit. Enjoy
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Conference Overview
06:23 Reflections on World Agri-Tech Conference
12:15 The State of Ag Tech Investment
18:51 Challenges for New Biologicals
24:44 The Evolution of Digital Solutions in Ag
30:50 The Future of Ag Technology

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.