Agtech - So What?

Biologicals: snake oil or science, and how do we know?


Listen Later

Farmers are under pressure to shift toward lower chemical intensity production. Biologicals are touted as one possible solution, promising natural, chemical-free alternatives to inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides. But biologicals also have a reputation for being ‘snake oil,’ with companies making claims that seem too good to be true, or that don’t stack up outside the lab.
So what’s the science behind biologicals, and how do we know they work? And when they do work, how do we get them in the hands of more farmers?
This episode features Jarrett Chambers, founder and President of ATP Nutrition, a Canadian plant nutrition company, and Shane Thomas, agronomist and author of Upstream Ag Insights, to discuss:

  • What biologicals are, and how to think about the different categories
  • What’s driving interest in biologicals from farmers, agribusinesses, and investors.
  • What characteristics, business models, and incentives can help ensure biologicals fit into established farming systems.
  • How digital tools can be used to bring credibility to the biologicals market

For more resources from the episode, visit our website.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Agtech - So What?By Sarah Nolet

  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9

4.9

26 ratings


More shows like Agtech - So What?

View all
Economist Podcasts by The Economist

Economist Podcasts

4,161 Listeners

Macro Voices by Hedge Fund Manager Erik Townsend

Macro Voices

3,067 Listeners

Odd Lots by Bloomberg

Odd Lots

1,929 Listeners

The Property Couch by Bryce Holdaway & Ben Kingsley

The Property Couch

51 Listeners

Future of Agriculture by Tim Hammerich

Future of Agriculture

254 Listeners

Tom Bilyeu's Impact Theory by Impact Theory

Tom Bilyeu's Impact Theory

4,683 Listeners

The Money Puzzle by The Australian

The Money Puzzle

46 Listeners

Regenerative Agriculture Podcast by John Kempf

Regenerative Agriculture Podcast

506 Listeners

The Modern Acre by Tim & Tyler Nuss

The Modern Acre

144 Listeners

All-In with Chamath, Jason, Sacks & Friedberg by All-In Podcast, LLC

All-In with Chamath, Jason, Sacks & Friedberg

9,938 Listeners

Deep Questions with Cal Newport by Cal Newport

Deep Questions with Cal Newport

1,328 Listeners

The Money Café with Alan Kohler by Intelligent Investor

The Money Café with Alan Kohler

29 Listeners

Plain English with Derek Thompson by The Ringer

Plain English with Derek Thompson

2,230 Listeners

Chanticleer by Australian Financial Review

Chanticleer

19 Listeners

The Fin by Australian Financial Review

The Fin

18 Listeners