Episode 2 - Interview with Rob Saik CEO of Founder of AGvisorPRO™ and visorPRO™

Summary

In this episode, Nathan Faleide interviews Robert Saik CEO and Founder of AGvisorPRO™ and visorPRO™ and former CEO of DOT (acquired by Raven Technologies, now CNH) and founder of AgriTrend (acquired by Trimble, now AGCO) about the adoption of agricultural technology and the challenges faced by farmers. They discuss the slow adoption rates of ag tech and the complexity of the technology. They also explore the potential of precision agriculture and the impact of acquisitions in the industry. 

The conversation touches on the role of biologicals in agriculture and the future of input companies. They conclude by discussing the need for alignment between agriculture and consumers to ensure a sustainable and transparent food supply. 

The conversation covers various topics related to agriculture, technology, and consumer behavior. It explores the control of narrative by agri-food companies, the perception of blueberries by consumers, and the impact of the sustainability index on consumer choices. 

The discussion also delves into the role of livestock in regenerative agriculture and the misconceptions surrounding greenhouse gas emissions. The concept of augmented intelligence in agriculture is explored, as well as the importance of broadband connectivity in rural areas. 

The conversation concludes with a reflection on the potential shift of agricultural production to other countries and the need for sustainable practices to leave a better earth for future generations.

Takeaways

• The adoption of agricultural technology has been slow, with many farmers hesitant to embrace new tools and systems.
• Interoperability challenges and the complexity of ag tech have hindered widespread adoption.
• Simplifying ag tech and making it more user-friendly is crucial to increasing adoption rates.
• The potential of precision agriculture is vast, but there are still barriers to overcome, such as cost and ease of use.
• The rise of biologicals in agriculture presents new opportunities for sustainable and environmentally friendly practices.
• There is a need for alignment between agriculture and consumers to ensure a transparent and sustainable food supply.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:16 Adoption of Ag Tech

06:23 Interoperability Challenges

10:27 Simplifying Ag Tech for Farmers

14:24 The Potential of Precision Agriculture

18:10 Acquisitions and the Future of Automation

22:20 The Hesitance to Adopt Ag Tech

25:21 The Importance of Cost Savings

28:17 The Role of Biologicals in Agriculture

32:52 The Future of Input Companies

35:06 The Rise of Biologicals

39:08 Consumer Perception and Alignment

41:56 Controlling the Narrative in Agri-Food Companies

43:14 Consumer Perception of Blueberries

44:16 The Sustainability Index and Consumer Behavior

45:26 Consumer Choices and Perception of Food

46:27 Regenerative Agriculture and Livestock

47:17 Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Livestock

48:13 The Biogenic Cycle of Methane

49:54 Cultured Meat and Factory Farming

52:09 Augmented Intelligence in Agriculture

57:12 The Importance of Broadband Connectivity in Agriculture

58:22 The Impact of Technology on Agricultural Investment

01:05:05 The Potential Shift of Agricultural Production to Other Countries

01:07:19 The Shift in Metrics for AgTech Startups

01:10:07 Leaving More Earth for Future Generations

01:11:36 The Future of Agriculture and the Changing World