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Pre-Summit Interview for World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit 

Seana Day 

Partner at Culterra Capital; Venture Partner at Better Food Ventures

Turlock, California, United States

INTERVIEWED: Federico Mayer

(AgTech Insight Advisor, CEO and Founder of Club AgTech

Seanna Day MP3
00:00 / 11:25

Pre-Summit Interviews for Animal AgTech Summit with AgTech Insight Advisors

 Courtney Stanton

Vice President, Renewable & Bio Products at Smithfield Foods based in Smithfield, Virginia.

INTERVIEWED: Johanna Ballesteros

(AgTech Insight Advisor, JBAgro Co-Founder, Ag Tech,AnimalProduction, EngormixCo-Founder, JBAgro-International Greenville, South Carolina, USA)

1. Brief summary of the topic you will present at the Summit. 

 

As part of a panel, I will be discussing innovations in Agtech that impact not only the animals but also the human consumers or food and medicines as well.

 

2. Smithfield harvest materials for medical use from hogs. What is the real potential in the area of human medicine from pig by-products?

 

The real potential has not yet been calculated, but the number of innovations and amount of research being conducted in this space is so broad that it is clear we are just scratching the surface.  The abundance of pigs (used primarily for food today) and their similarities to humans make them an attractive option for pharmaceutical, wound care, and regenerative medicine applications.  To the extent we can continue to utilize the by-products from the food production process as a resource for these finished medical applications, the more we will be doing to improve human health and wellness, manage costs and access throughout the medical supply chain that result from the current scale of production, and be responsible stewards of our environment.

 

3. What is the strategy implemented to achieve Smithfield's goal by 2025 of a 25% reduction of GHG emissions, does this include carbon emission credits?  

 

The GHG emission reduction is directly tied to better utilizing the methane gases that result from growing pigs for food consumption.  By proactively capturing these gases, we take a leadership position in the industry to improve our sustainability efforts and utilize yet another byproduct of our significant production scale.

 

4. What are you excited about Smithfield's future?

 

 Smithfield has truly taken a leadership position in the Agtech innovation space.  Both our partnerships with energy companies to capture Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) from our farms nationwide, as well as our venture into the BioScience arena have been truly groundbreaking for the industry.  Our ability to leverage our uniquely integrated supply chain -- beginning from the farm all the way to the harvest facility – is unmatched and we can bring greater insights, capabilities and security to a food supply chain that is now expanding into Renewable Products and Human Health and Wellness.  I cannot think of a more important and exciting time for Smithfield to be taking these important industry and societal leaps that I believe will transform the agricultural sector forever.  As leaders in the agricultural industry, it is our responsibility to create big, positive change -- and we are doing just that!

André van Troost

Andre van Troost | CEO

Lely Holding B.V. | Cornelis van der Lelylaan 1 | 3147 PB | Maassluis | The Netherlands

INTERVIEWED: Jeffrey Bewley

(AgTech Insight Advisor, Innovation and Analytics Scientist – Holstein Association USA, Elizabethtown, Kentucky, USA)

  1. How do you define sustainability? 

 

In the next decades, the agricultural sector is facing the challenge to feed a growing world population in a responsible manner, by using the same amount of land and water. Our goal is to make dairy farming even more sustainable then it already is today, to reduce emissions and to create a circular dairy farm where possible. All that, whilst not harming the profitability of the farmer!

 

  2. How has Covid-19 changed the landscape for technology adoption in animal agriculture?

Time will tell, I find it too early to comment for now.

 

 

  3. How will data and analytics reshape the future of global agriculture?

Data is changing the scope and organization of farming. Global issues such as food security and safety, animal welfare, sustainability and efficiency improvements are all addressed by data applications. Therefore the scope of data applications extends far beyond the farm alone, and increasingly will cover the entire supply chain. The entire agricultural sector, food suppliers and end consumers will benefit from this!

 

 

  4. How do changes in population demographics change the need for more automation within agriculture?

We see a rapid increase in the uptake of automation. A new generation of farmers with better (IT/Data minded) education, who have a bigger wish for social time, who are less happy with repetitive work, who prefer to spend time on specific animals that need attention as opposed to the whole herd. And we see fewer people who will want to work in the agricultural industry in the future. This will all help the adoption of automation.

 

 

  5. What are the biggest challenges for adoption of technologies on farms?

The older generation farmer is sometimes less open to new (often data driven)technologies. Also the adoption of automation will sometimes feel to the farmer like his core work is removed. Being on call 24 hours a day to alarms is sometimes also used as a challenge. But overall there are not that many challenges.

 

 

  6. Often, technologies are ahead of what farmers are ready to adopt.  How do we help fill this gap?

Clear, fact based education and explanation is essential. As is the usage of customers who are early adopters, they need to be asked to assist and become an ambassador of new technologies. Lely has a great deal to thank the early adopter farmer for, they were always willing to try out new technologies.

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Who is AgTech Insight?


AGTech Insight is a global, full-spectrum Agriculture & Tech consulting firm serving Ag Corporates and Retailers, Agribusiness, Governments, Non-Government Organizations (NGO’s), Farmers & Packers, Investors and Startups and Accelerators. We have the experience and proven methods to tackle any project using the best tools today while planning for the future. By tracking over 3,000 digital AgTech companies around the globe we get past the smoke and mirrors to work with real companies to make a huge impact on the world’s food supply.


How does it work?


We have developed an efficient three-step agriculture consulting process to help you implement extraordinary success. The fundamentals of success begin in the strength of the foundation. Without a strong foundation, we are only building a house of cards that will topple with only a slight wind or push. Our agriculture consulting method begins with understanding, defining and organizing all the players to create a solid foundation enriched with innovation. Our first step is to analyze by beginning with a comprehensive survey that enables us to efficiently understand your strengths and pain points. The second step is to strategize by working with you to build an innovation strategy and meeting the needs of today while planning for the future. The third step is to execute, by working from our strategic plan, we bring the right team members, technologies and support to ensure success.


What areas do you serve?


AgTech Insight is a worldwide Agriculture and Tech consulting firm. We serve the United States, Asia, LatAm/Latin America, South America, Europe,  and Mexico. AgTech Insight offers expertise to ensure success and projection in today's global economy. Our team consists of experienced, top-level agriculture and technology consulting professionals from around the world. Be sure to contact us today for all of your agriculture consulting needs.


What can we do for Ag Corporates and Retailers?


We will build an internal eco-system to integrate innovation and industry leadership into the traditions that make up your company’s success. Our agriculture consulting team works with your organization to determine what solutions are needed, solidify meaningful milestones, then build a customized plan for how to develop them and get them implemented, exceeding supplier, customer and consumer needs. Oftentimes the hardest part of innovation is deciding where to start, which is the best place for us to engage. Our agriculture consulting experts will work with your employees to ensure everyone involved has a benefit in committing to innovation and build. Whether it’s better visibility into the supply chain, using Blockchain to connect your brand with the consumer or meet food safety needs, we dive into your operation and set you up to live in an optimal realm.


Consumer trends and regulations are constantly pushing you to innovate, but how can you ensure that everyone in the value chain has the incentive to adopt technology and help gain the big data and analytics you dream of? Our agriculture consulting team works through the supply chain to advise and implement the best advancements and adjustments for your business.


What can we do for Agribusiness?


We are your trusted agriculture consulting advisors for some of the largest companies in the world that are driving their success in digital technologies and gaining market share in technology as well as in their core business. We work both locally and globally from complete Go to Market (GtM) business planning for your AgTech branch through running a successful AgTech sales, installation and support business.

 

What can we do for Governments?


Whether you’re part of national or local government we will help you build and execute a complete customized plan utilizing the resources available locally, collaborating with your existing relationships, and bringing in the most qualified expertise when needed.
Especially in Latin America and Asia, government and public / private partnerships are the cornerstones of building a successful agriculture and technology implementation. Our agriculture consulting experts specialize in partnering with pioneering associates in Latin America and Asia on semi-local and national initiatives.

 


What can we do for Farmers & Packers?
We have spun off Growers Insight as a farmer-focused company to build and implement innovative and comprehensive year-by-year plans. With thousands of new technologies inundating the Ag sector, our Grower AgTech Audit™ provides an assessment of the farmer’s operation and paves the way to increased productivity, profits, and sustainability.


What can we do for investors?


Our AgTech experience, coupled with decades of grower relationships, business management, customer service, start-up, distribution channels, marketing, and investment success makes AgTech Insight the perfect partner to guide your investments into the Ag centric market. Our world-class list of partners and agriculture consulting advisors, along with our available software/hardware, research & development teams, deliver the imperative expertise to assist your venture at any level. Our specialized expertise provides premier deal flow and due diligence, helping place your investment into the most promising companies in the world. We can also hold an advisory or board seat to help keep a company stay on track.

 

What can we do for Startups and Accelerators?


We provide the best agriculture consulting services for startups and accelerators. Taking the best from every program, we build Standard Operating Procedures throughout the process to create the most value for sponsors, startups and follow-on investors in your geography. We bring deal-flow, select the best and brightest, and provide advisory work to many cohorts throughout the US and the world.


For startups, our agriculture consulting team has the in-field experience to ensure your product is built for your target market. We will help build and implement a Go to Market (GtM) strategy locally or internationally and be sure your plan includes the support necessary for success.

 

How can you contact us?


You can contact us 855-410-2030 or click here to email us. Integrating the technology, investment, & agriculture worlds together to ensure a more fruitful future, AgTech Insight is your agriculture consulting leader.

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