The business case for electrifying agriculture, with Mike Casey

In the race to decarbonize agriculture, the spotlight often falls on carbon sequestration, genetics, and alternative proteins. But have we overlooked something that’s right in front of us? Electricity.

Mike Casey is a self-described “tech bro turned farmer” from Cromwell, New Zealand. Mike runs what’s believed to be the world’s first fully electric farm, made up of 21 electric machines, from irrigation systems and frost-fighting fans, to electric tractors and forklifts. His business is aptly named Electric Cherries, where power is generated from renewable sources on-farm. Mike says this has enabled him to save tens of thousands on energy costs every year, while also developing a business model for farming that’s both profitable and low-carbon.

Sarah and Mike discuss:

• How an old diesel pump kicked off Mike’s electrification crusade
• The economics of going electric on a farm (and is it only possible in New Zealand or on a cherry farm?)
• What electric machinery changes (and doesn’t) about running a farm business
• Why farmers stand to benefit from the shift away from centralized, fossil fuel power generation to decentralized renewable energy

Mike is also the CEO of Rewiring Aotearoa, a movement helping Kiwis switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy. His mission is simple: make electric technology an economic no-brainer for every farmer and household.

Useful Links:

• On-Farm Electrification isn't an equipment change, it's a systems change, Agtech So… What?
• Electric Cherries, Evoke Ag presentation by Mike Casey
• Electric Farms Report, Rewiring Aotearoa
• The future of (decentralized) fertilizer, with Jupiter Ionics (Tenacious portfolio company)

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The information in this post is not investment advice or a recommendation to invest. It is general information only and does not take into account your investment objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making an investment decision you should seek financial advice from a professional financial adviser. Whilst we believe the information is correct, we provide no warranty of accuracy, reliability or completeness.

Topics: energy-electrification, farm-machinery, climate-risk, ag-tech-adoption