b'Seed Ushers in theNEXT TECH REVOLUTIONSeed companies look to new technologies to help growers andcustomers move into the future.Melissa ShipmanACROSS THE AGRICULTUREindustry, tech- Focus on Farmersnology has allowed for increased productivityColby believes anyone who wants to be successful and efficiency. Advanced breeding has createdin this space has to understand that challenge. better genetics at the seed level, while improvedFarmers are tough, and if youre developing field inputs have improved fertility and yields,new tech, whether in the AI or field analytic space both supported by newer, bigger, and higher-techor whatever it is, you have to remember you are equipment and more sustainable soil managementdesigning around an industry that can be slow practices. But, the challenge of agriculture is feed- to adapt and has to have a clear return on invest-ing a growing population in a changing world whilement, he says. using fewer resources, and to do that, were goingSome of that hesitation stems from 10 or 15 to need to realize every bit of potential each newSteve Cubbage isyears ago, when early adopters were burned with development brings to the table. president of Longitudesome tech solutions that didnt work or werent Unfortunately, while farmers do embrace all94.designed with the end user in mind. kinds of technologies from weather satellites toIn the past, some of these companies sort of smartphones, they are often slow to embracethrew these new technologies at farmers and asked changes, especially changes they dont understand. them to adapt, and a lot of those companies failed, The biggest problem with ag tech is the speedColby says. of adoption. By the time a product gets to the farmStill, from $1 million combines with automation gate, these technologies could be six to 10 yearsto leaf analysis apps, artificial intelligence (AI) will old, says Chad Colby, founder of Colby AgTech, ancontinue to revolutionize the entire industry.ag tech consulting company.Were asking technology to replace the deci-He believes there are investments farmers cansions and knowledge of fifth or sixth generation make now that will give them that instant return,farmers sometimes and its going to take time to whether in yield or efficiencies. Its important toget them to try it and trust it, Colby says.start there. Chad Colby is the They have to understand where those painfounder of Colby AgTech.Understanding AIpoints are on the farm, Colby says. Identify theJoseph Byrum, chief technology officer at weak links in their operation and be brave enoughConsilience AI, understands how AI is widely mis-to look for solutions and ask for help. understood. And companies need to know that farmers willAI has come to mean nothing and everything, need help if the industry is going to be able to con- he says. tinue to successfully innovate. These are complexRight now on the farm, AI can look like plant-topics that even industry professionals struggle toing or yield predictions, monitoring crops or soil for keep up with. intelligent spraying or disease diagnosis and self-There isnt a class they can take at the Farmcontrolled robotic equipment.Bureau or something, he says. Context, nuance and application matter inIts up to businesses to teach and encouragethe successful deployment of AI. The specialized customers to become more efficient with moreknowledge from an aircraft mechanic, farmer, technology, offering personal training and supportJoseph Byrum is chieflawyer, physicist, to animals represents the com-or even making tech upgrades mandatory on newtechnology officer atplexity of application. No single model or technol-equipment. Consilience AI. ogy today can universally address this level of 24/ SEEDWORLD.COMJUNE 2023'