Agtech - So What?

We have the technology to measure and improve water efficiency on farms, yet adoption remains low- why is this?This episode explores our hypothesis in our recent report: that the problem is not with the technology, but rather with a limited understanding of the nuances of farmer psychology.
We explore how tech developers, both startups and incumbent firms, can design business models that encourage irrigation tech adoption. We also discuss how farmers can make sure they’re getting the information they need to implement irrigation technology that will have a positive impact on the bottom line.
This episode features:

• Inge Bisconer - Managing Member, Surf ‘N Earth Enterprises and Director, Irrigation Association
• Shane Thomas - agronomist and creator of Upstream Ag Insights
• Euan Friday - Director and Chief Investment Officer, Kilter Rural
• Matthew Pryor - co-founder, Tenacious Ventures and partner, Agthentic Group

Topics: irrigation-water, ag-tech-adoption, business-model, ag-data

Livestock, and especially cows, get a bad rap when it comes to climate change. But is this fair? There’s no doubt that cows emit methane; however, scientific advancements are increasing our understanding of how methane contributes to global warming, and emerging companies are developing solutions to reduce enteric emissions through advancements such as feed additives and methods to accelerate genetic progress.
The path to sustainable livestock is fraught with controversy, but this week’s guests, Professor Frank Mitloehner, air quality specialist at UC Davis, and Kerryann Kocher, CEO of Vytelle, are up for the challenge. In this episode, we discuss livestock’s role in climate change, and both challenges and opportunities for a future of sustainable protein.
For more information, visit our website.

Topics: livestock-dairy, climate-risk, meat-protein, research

The Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture has a lofty mission: to change the food system. It’s an idyllic 400 acre farming property just north of New York City. It features an on-site, partner restaurant called Blue Hill, which has been made famous by chef Dan Barber and his book The Third Plate. Stone Barns also runs education programs and regenerative agriculture trials in crops and livestock, and welcomes the public to watch how it’s all done.
Jason Grauer is their Crops Director. He left his career in asset management to follow his passion for what he calls “soil-based” agriculture. His research focuses on seed genetics and organic seed trials to improve soil health, biodiversity, and taste. But how can a small, non-profit farm influence practices in large, commercial farms, let alone the entire food system?
In this episode, Jason talks about:

• How he managed the transition from asset management to regenerative farming
• The importance of seed genetics and the creation of a digital seed database
• The experiments Stone Barns is running to make a difference to the broader food system

Companies: Stone Barns Center, Blue Hill • Topics: regen-ag, food-consumer, people-culture, food-systems

In a world where food and farming are highly polarized issues, Rob Paarlberg’s approach is to follow the evidence. This has earned him great respect, but also means his well-researched views tend to land him in no-man’s land between traditional industry views and the new food movement.
For instance, Rob supports modern commercial farming and the use of fertilizers; however, he’s not a blanket supporter of ‘Big Ag’. He is highly critical of the state of animal welfare in modern American livestock production, but he’s not against eating meat. As an author and Associate in the Sustainability Science program at the Harvard Kennedy School, Rob is renowned for debunking the popular myths about food and farming.
In his latest book, “Resetting the Table: Straight Talk About the Food We Grow and Eat, Rob argues that food policy, rather than farm policy, should be the focus for reform when it comes to the American food system.
In this episode, Rob discusses his latest book and:

• Why returning to the ‘old ways’ of farming is not sustainable
• How US farm subsidies make food more, not less, expensive
• The cause of the obesity epidemic in America (and the food policies that could actually make a difference).
• Why the agriculture industry needs to improve its treatment of animals (and the relatively low costs involved).

Topics: food-consumer, government-policy, research, people-culture

There’s always going to be some skepticism about the motives of ‘Big Food’ companies. But, for reasons such as risk management, consumer pressures, and more, the Coca-Cola Company is becoming more focused on the sustainability of its supply chain.
While Coca-Cola doesn’t deal directly with farmers, its interest in how products are sourced and grown is increasing. In this episode Ulrike Sapiro, Senior Director of Global Water Stewardship and Sustainable Agriculture at the Coca-Cola Company, discusses:

• The role Coca-Cola can play in taking- and instilling- ownership of sustainability outcomes in its supply chain.
• The role of pre-competitive collaborations in catalyzing and piloting sustainability projects in countries such as Brazil, Australia and India.
• How Coca-Cola is investing in innovation and new technology to find sustainability solutions.
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Companies: Coca-Cola • Topics: corporates, supply-chain, food-consumer

If you’re looking at a career in agtech, chances are you’re going to spend time working with startups. But what’s it like to work IN an agtech startup?
A fast-paced environment, no red tape, significant responsibility, and a big vision may come to mind. But there can be downsides, too, such as long hours and setbacks due to the inevitable trial and error that comes with bringing new innovations to the world.
The agtech industry is increasingly drawing top talent from all different industries and backgrounds. This episode explores why there are opportunities for everyone- from engineers to electricians to artists- to use their skills within high-growth agtech startups that focus on building the food supply chains of the future.
So, whether you’re just starting on your career path or mid-way through, tune in to learn if working in an agtech startup is right for you. Featuring:

• Soroush Pour - Head of Engineering at Vow and 15th employee at Plaid (Visa recently tried to acquire Plaid for $5b+)
• Alissa Welker - Farmer Acquisition and Engagement at Steward and 60th employee at Farmers Business Network
• Kerryn Thomas - Head of Operations at Goterra and former electrical technician in the mining and concrete industries.

Topics: careers-talent, venture-startups, agtech-ecosystem

How do you get a career in agriculture or agtech, when you’re not from a farming background? In this episode, we meet four women who’ve become agtech leaders, despite not having grown up on a farm. At the intersection of two largely white and male dominated industries (agriculture and tech), they have succeeded despite, as they say, ‘not looking the part’. You’ll hear how they first got their foot in the door (from scoring discounted tickets to conferences, to setting up their own networking events, to making elevator pitches to gain on-farm experience), and what challenges they’ve had to overcome to thrive. This episode is for employers looking for talent, as well as anyone looking to get into agtech and agriculture who isn’t sure where to start!On the podcast:

• Rayali Banerjee - Communications Manager, Syngenta Australia and New Zealand
• Cass Mao - Program Manager, Farmers2Founders and Venture Partner, Tenacious Ventures
• Samantha Wan - Wool Business Specialist, Elders
• Amy Wu - Writer and Creator, From Farms to Incubators

Topics: careers-talent, women-agtech, agtech-ecosystem, people-culture

The race is on globally to scale carbon markets, where farmers can sell the carbon they sequester in their soil to buyers who want to offset emissions. But right now, the space is often confusing for buyers, sellers, and the intermediaries working between them. And further, both public and private market schemes have been criticized for inefficiencies and high costs to participate.
But the game is changing as new technologies and business models seek to lower barriers to entry and improve transparency, and the demand side continues to explore, driven by consumer and regulatory pressures. But with all this activity, what will it take to scale up and deliver worthwhile returns for farmers?In this panel discussion, you’ll hear a variety of perspectives - from those developing new technologies and carbon market methodologies, to organizations helping farmers operate within existing emissions trading schemes.
Today's guests:

• Aldyen Donnelly - Co-Founder and Director of Carbon Economics, Nori.
• Sam Duncan - Founder, FarmLab
• Matt Schmitt, Senior Director of Commercial Carbon, Cargill
• Dave Moore - Chief Operating Officer, Green Collar

Companies: Cargill, Nori • Topics: carbon-markets, soil-health, corporates, finance-investing

Sarah Sivyer had multiple roles in the corporate world before she decided to start farming eggs. She grew up on a farm, but was completely new to chickens, and this was the challenge she wanted: to grow her own business from scratch and apply her corporate knowledge.By tapping into consumer demand for convenience, freshness, and sustainability credentials, Sarah now runs 2500 chickens for her subscription-based egg business, Just Been Laid. Sarah also completed a Nuffield Scholarship on continuous improvement and branding, bringing lessons on global best practices back to the farm.In this episode Sarah Sivyer discusses:

• Building a successful farming business by developing ‘customer intimacy.’
• Using business concepts like Six Sigma to eliminate waste, remove variation, and be more efficient in farming.
• Offsetting the high cost of labor through branding, quality, and business model innovation.

Topics: livestock-dairy, business-model, food-consumer

Cavan Station might have well-known owners today (the Murdoch family), but the large property in southern New South Wales has long held a place in Australian history, as pioneers of the fine wool industry.
And Cavan Station is still innovating today. In fact, the 25,000 acre (10,000 ha) farm has undergone a significant transformation over the past 10 years, including adopting the latest technologies, from genetics and genomics, to data analysis and software.
At the helm of this change is the General Manager of Cavan Station, Matt Crozier.
In this episode he discusses:

• The challenges and benefits of encouraging a farming team to use more technology and different farming methods.
• Shifting to “regenerative” agriculture (a term Matt doesn’t love), and focusing more on animal welfare, including stopping mulesing.
• The economic and ecological performance of the farm, since incorporating new tech and alternative farming methods.

Companies: Cavan Station • Topics: ag-tech-adoption, livestock-dairy, ag-data, people-culture