AgTech360

Adrian Percy speaks with Sid Thakur, a Professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine and the Executive Director of Global One Health Academy at NC State. Thakur says, “pathogens don’t respect international boundaries.” Several technologies have emerged to help with the identification and tracking of foodborne pathogens. Advances in genomics, data tracking, reporting infrastructure and interdisciplinary research all contribute to keeping our population healthy.

Matej Stefancic, CEO of Trapview, engaged a multidisciplinary team of agronomists, IT experts and data scientists to develop a unique pest management tool. New solutions for pest monitoring and forecasting allow growers to make real-time decisions. Trials done on apple orchards in the U.S. have already proven beneficial.

trapview.com

We kick off a new season with apple expert Dr. Tom Kon from NC State's Department of Horticultural Science. During peak harvest season, Dr. Kon reflects on the different variables affecting production, and the new technologies being utilized in orchards to maximize yields. His unique connections with the orchards in the Southeast allow nearly half of his research to be done directly on working farms. 

On the last episode of this season of AgTech360, host Adrian Percy is joined by Han Chen, CEO and co-founder of ZeaKal. They discuss the challenges facing the volume-first row crop industry as well as opportunities to improve its nutrition and sustainability.  ZeaKal is using its photosynthesis-enhancing crop technology to reharmonize the supply chain by building customized solutions, half a million acres at a time.

Adrian Percy is joined by Phil Taylor, Director of Innovation and Outreach for Bayer Crop Science, to talk about open innovation. Even with the largest R&D organization in the industry, Bayer recognizes it cannot achieve its goals and address complex agricultural challenges without open innovation with partners of all types and scale. Taylor presents Bayer's model for open innovation and explores how different models can be applied across industries and disciplines.

Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) epitomizes AgTech and the future of agriculture. Ricardo Hernandez, Director of the CEA Coalition at NC State, joins host Adrian Percy to discuss CEA, present its challenges and highlight its possibilities. Hernandez details the varied spectrum of CEA, from greenhouse tomatoes to vertical farming, as well as its place in the food supply chain.

Adrian Percy sits down with Charles Hall, Executive Director of the NC Soybean Producers Association, to discuss marketing soybeans to the animal industry and where AI and drones fit into the commodity group's goals.

Rachel Vann, a soybean Extension specialist and N.C. PSI platform director, demystifies North Carolina's extension program and discusses its critical role in bringing technology to soybean growers across the country.

Correction: The Morrill Act was established in 1862.

Adrian Percy sits down with NC State professor and Extension specialist, Katie Jennings to discuss the biology behind why certain weeds give farmers such a hard time and what her research program is doing to help. Jennings takes us through the limitations and options, from traditional methods like hand-weeding and herbicides to nascent technologies like electrocution, bioherbicides, and robots.

For previous episodes from industry perspectives on weed control, check out the first two episodes of season 3!

NC State Extension Specialist David Suchoff gives us a glimpse into the future of alternative crops in North Carolina. From hemp and sesame to sunflowers and flax, Suchoff's research takes market demand and farmer concerns into consideration as he investigates crops that can help farmers reduce economic volatility, adapt to climate change, and respond to shifts in consumer demand.