Agtech - So What?

Nitrate leaching in New Zealand, largely driven by the rapid expansion of dairy, has left waterways so polluted that some are unsafe to swim in. But the government is on a mission to fix this and restore the country’s ‘clean and green’ reputation. To tackle this issue, as well as other environmental concerns, the government is mandating that all farmers (not just dairy) report on water contaminants and other sustainability measures, including greenhouse gas emissions.In this episode hear from:Mat Hocken - owner/operator at Grassmere Dairy and a 2018 Nuffield Scholar focused on innovation in farmingBridgit Hawkins - Chief Sustainability Officer at CropX, NZThey discuss what these new regulations mean for innovation and whether it could act as a driver for agtech adoption. They also look at the possible effects the regulations will have on established supply chains and whether this sort of government-enforced approach to sustainability is in fact the future for farmers all over the world.For more resources from this episode, visit our website.

5 Maj 202136min

Vonnie Estes has been at the forefront of genetics in agriculture for 30 years. She’s witnessed the public backlash over GMO crops in the 1990s, as well as the hype over biofuels in the U.S in the 2000s. Vonnie has also seen great advancements in plant breeding and genetics, working for Monsanto, Dupont, and Syngenta, as well as with multiple ag and biotech startups.In her current role as Vice-President of Technology at the Produce Marketing Association, Vonnie helps companies navigate the confusing agtech landscape, investigating the sorts of food innovations consumers want (such as better taste), as well as innovations the world will increasingly need, such as drought and flood resistant crops. In this episode she talks about:The communications challenges in navigating science vs. emotion when introducing new technologies in foodWhat business models will win as new innovations in gene editing and soil carbon come to marketHow emerging ag and biotech companies will transform supply chainsFor more resources from this episode, visit our website.

21 Apr 202133min

Experts and tech companies alike are claiming that soil carbon payments hold huge potential as a new revenue stream for farmers and a weapon against climate change. Yet, others say it’s all hype. One thing is clear though: it’s a confusing and rapidly evolving space, with new technologies and incentive schemes emerging weekly.In this week’s episode, we feature a panel of experts from across tech, policy, and corporate agribusiness. We tackle issues and barriers in soil carbon, and the potential benefits and consequences of moving from practice-based to outcomes-based approaches to measurement and verification. We also discuss why a focus on accuracy in soil carbon measurement is actually holding the industry back, as well as the role of big food companies in soil health.On the panel:Richard Heath - Executive Director, Australian Farm InstituteRob Waterworth - CEO, FLINTproPaul Scoullar - Strategic Sourcing Manager, Mars PetcareThis episode, brought to you by the AgThentic Group, was recorded at a live AusAgritech Meetup sponsored by FoodBytes! by Rabobank. For resources from this episode, visit our website.

7 Apr 202136min

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 AssociationShane Thomas - agronomist and creator of Upstream Ag InsightsEuan Friday - Director and Chief Investment Officer, Kilter RuralMatthew Pryor - co-founder, Tenacious Ventures and partner, Agthentic GroupFor more information, check out our free report: The Agtech Adoption Dilemma: Irrigation, made in collaboration with Upstream Ag Insights. You can also visit our website for more resources from the episode.

24 Mars 202132min

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.

10 Mars 202140min

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 farmingThe importance of seed genetics and the creation of a digital seed databaseThe experiments Stone Barns is running to make a difference to the broader food systemFor more from Jason and our insights from this episode, check out our website.

24 Feb 202140min

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 sustainableHow US farm subsidies make food more, not less, expensiveThe 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).For insights and resources, visit our website.

10 Feb 202133min

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.For more insights and links from this episode, visit our website. You can also follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

27 Jan 202144min