🤝 AgTech Partnerships

Unlocking New Frontiers in AgTech: Partnerships, Innovations, and Industry Insights

Author

Sepehr Achard
August 09, 2024

Good morning, readers!

Another week, another newsletter! Today, we are covering some interesting new partnerships & discovering a new company.

Estimated Reading Time: 5 - 7 minutes

STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS
Pyka Announces Heinen Brothers Agra Services as First U.S. Customer for Pelican Spray Aircraft

Image provided by Pyka

Pyka, the maker of Pelican Spray, the world’s largest autonomous electric crop protection aircraft, has announced that Heinen Brothers Agra Services will be its first U.S. customer for the Pelican Spray.

Integration and Impact

Heinen Brothers Agra Services will use the Pelican Spray to enhance its fleet and meet peak customer demand through large-scale automation of aerial application services. Lukas Koch, Chief Technology Officer at Heinen Brothers Agra Services, expressed excitement about the partnership and highlighted the safety benefits of using Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) to keep traditional pilots safer.

FAA Authorization and Industry Significance

Pyka has recently received FAA authorization for the commercial operation of Pelican Spray, making it the largest Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) ever authorized by the FAA for commercial use in the U.S. This marks a significant milestone for autonomous agricultural technology, allowing Pyka to bring its innovative solutions to American farmers. Volker Fabian, Chief Commercial Officer at Pyka, commented on the collaboration with Heinen Brothers, expressing excitement to commence U.S. operations with Pelican Spray.

Upcoming Demonstration Event

To celebrate the launch of this partnership, Pyka and Heinen Brothers Agra Services will host a live flight demonstration and Q&A event at Heinen Brothers’ corporate headquarters later this month. This event will showcase Pelican Spray’s capabilities and allow industry stakeholders to learn more about the innovative technology.

DISCOVER THE COMPANY
Sabanto's Story: Changing Farming One Tractor At A Time

The Satellite. Image provided by Sabanto

Sabanto, founded by Craig Rupp, a farm boy turned engineer, is at the forefront of integrating autonomous technology into the agricultural sector. By leveraging his extensive background in engineering and agriculture, Rupp has led Sabanto to develop innovative solutions that address critical challenges in farming, particularly labor shortages.

Engineering Meets Agriculture

Craig Rupp's journey began in 1984 when he graduated from high school and pursued a career in engineering, initially working in the cellular industry. Despite his intentions to stay away from farming, he found himself repeatedly drawn back to agriculture. His work with various technology companies, including Apple and John Deere, provided him with unique insights into the potential of integrating advanced technology with farming practices. “When I looked at the iPad, I realized it was what the Greenstar display should have been,” Rupp recalls.

Focus on Autonomous Technology

Sabanto specializes in retrofitting existing tractors with autonomous technology, a strategic decision that leverages the robust manufacturing capabilities of established tractor brands like John Deere, Kubota, and Fendt. “Our mantra is your next advanced tractor is already in your machine shed,” Rupp states. By focusing on the perception system, navigation, cloud control, and monitoring, Sabanto enhances the functionality of existing equipment without the need to develop new tractors from scratch.

The company’s approach addresses a significant challenge in the agricultural sector: labor shortages. “Every farmer I talked to mentioned labor as a big problem,” Rupp notes. Sabanto’s autonomous tractors can operate for extended hours, reducing the dependency on human labor and increasing efficiency. This technology allows farmers to perform field operations more effectively, even with limited workforce availability.

Addressing Labor Shortages

Labor shortages are a persistent issue in agriculture, and Sabanto's autonomous solutions provide a viable answer. By extending the operational hours of tractors, the technology maximizes productivity and minimizes the impact of labor constraints. “We have systems running 18-hour days,” Rupp explains.

This capability not only addresses the immediate need for labor but also offers long-term benefits by enabling farmers to manage their operations more efficiently. The technology’s ability to operate continuously and autonomously means that farmers can focus on other critical aspects of their business, enhancing overall productivity and sustainability.

Growth and Expansion

Sabanto has seen substantial growth since its inception. The company currently supports operations in the U.S. and Canada and plans to expand internationally by 2025. This expansion will include establishing a presence in markets such as Australia, Europe, and South America. Rupp envisions Sabanto becoming a significant player in the global agricultural market. “I see us with power and a footprint across the U.S. and internationally,” he says.

The company also aims to open its interface to other agricultural technology companies, fostering collaboration and innovation within the industry. By focusing on automating tractors and developing deep partnerships with other technology providers, Sabanto is positioned to play a pivotal role in the future of autonomous agriculture.

Support and Scalability

One of the critical challenges in scaling an agricultural technology company is ensuring robust support for multiple systems and customers. Rupp highlights the importance of creating a reliable support structure that can operate 24/7, given the continuous nature of farming operations. “We have to have support that could do 24/7 and engineers available at any time,” he explains.

This emphasis on support and scalability ensures that Sabanto’s customers can rely on their technology without interruptions, further enhancing the company’s reputation and reliability in the market.

SOLUTION INTEGRATION
Rantizo Integrates AcreConnect™ with John Deere Operations Center™ for Enhanced Data Sharing

Image provided by Rantizo

Rantizo announced the integration of its AcreConnect™ productivity software with John Deere Operations Center™ using John Deere API services. This integration aims to streamline data sharing for spray drone operators and their customers.

Leadership Commentary

Mariah Scott, CEO of Rantizo, emphasized the significance of integrating AcreConnect™ into John Deere Operations Center™, highlighting the accessibility of 'As Applied' and 'As Covered' maps for both DJI and XAG spray drones. This integration enables operators to easily share maps directly with customers, providing a more comprehensive view of operations. Jeff Holman, Chief Product Technology Officer (CPTO) at Rantizo, expressed the potential benefits for independent operators and retail locations in delivering better service through this integration.

Benefits for Growers and Retailers

The integration of AcreConnect™ with John Deere Operations Center™ offers several potential advantages:

  • Streamlined Data Sharing: Operators can share detailed application maps and spray records with customers, potentially enhancing transparency and communication.

  • Improved Decision-Making: With a more comprehensive view of field data and application information, growers and retailers may make more informed decisions regarding crop management and resource allocation.

  • Operational Efficiency: The seamless integration of data aims to reduce administrative burdens and ensure that all necessary information is available for analysis and reporting.

OTHER NEWS
AgriTech Weekly: Field Test Results, Partnerships & More!

🇦🇺 CH4 Global Inc. announced a new agreement with CirPro to export reduced-methane beef from Australia. This is part of CH4 Global's effort to expand the production of Methane Tamer™ to meet the increasing global demand for low-carbon beef.

🇧🇷 BioConsortia, Inc. recently presented the latest field test results for its SOLVARIX bionematicide at an industry meeting in Campinas, Brazil. The presentation highlighted SOLVARIX’s potential to reduce agriculture’s ecological impact while maintaining crop productivity.

🥛 Ever.Ag officially launched its new Sustainability platform. This platform is designed to support the dairy industry, including processors, manufacturers, and dairy farms, in providing sustainable and low-carbon dairy ingredients to the brands they supply.

📉 Sandhills Global‘s latest market reports reveal a notable trend: auction values in agricultural equipment are falling more quickly than asking values. This trend is causing a growing disparity between the two, as highlighted by the Sandhills Equipment Value Index (EVI). This index measures the percentage difference between asking and auction values, providing crucial insights for buyers and sellers in the market.

📈 The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer index rose by 8 points to 113 in July. The Index of Current Conditions increased by 10 points to 100, and the Index of Future Expectations climbed 7 points to 119. Despite declining corn and soybean prices, farmers exhibited a more positive outlook, attributed to fewer respondents reporting worsening conditions compared to the previous year and a decrease in those expecting negative future outcomes.

📊 BioLumic achieved a significant breakthrough in enhancing inbred corn lines. These genetically pure parent seeds are essential for producing high-performing hybrid seeds, which are preferred by most farmers for their vigor and yield potential.

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