AgriNovus Indiana

Tough commodity markets and a challenging ag economy is putting pressure on all elements of the agbiosciences. One of those is equipment. New data from the Equipment Manufacturers Association shows that tractor sales in the U.S. were down nearly 20% in the most recent month reporting. That's year over year. One entrepreneur is bringing to market a new technology to help those farmers maybe keep their tractors a little longer and better manage their fleet. Tracey Wiedmeyer, CEO of Gripp, joins us this week. We discuss:&nbsp;&nbsp;<ul><li>The current state of the ag equipment market (not such a spoiler: it’s tough on everyone).&nbsp;</li><li>Challenges facing farmers when it comes to the maintenance of existing equipment – from depreciation to staff coordination on-farm.&nbsp;</li><li>The greatest opportunity for innovation in the ag equipment market right now and how Gripp was born.&nbsp;</li><li>What it’s like for producers to interact with Gripp + their feedback.&nbsp;</li><li>How their partnership with Purdue DIAL has accelerated growth on the farm.&nbsp;</li><li>Bringing tech talent back to their roots.&nbsp;</li><li>What’s ahead for Gripp.&nbsp;</li></ul>

Tracey Wiedmeyer

CEO, Gripp

Tough commodity markets and a challenging ag economy is putting pressure on all elements of the agbiosciences. One of those is equipment. New data from the Equipment Manufacturers Association shows that tractor sales in the U.S. were down nearly 20% in the most recent month reporting. That's year over year. One entrepreneur is bringing to market a new technology to help those farmers maybe keep their tractors a little longer and better manage their fleet. Tracey Wiedmeyer, CEO of Gripp, joins us this week. We discuss:  

The current state of the ag equipment market (not such a spoiler: it’s tough on everyone). 
Challenges facing farmers when it comes to the maintenance of existing equipment – from depreciation to staff coordination on-farm. 
The greatest opportunity for innovation in the ag equipment market right now and how Gripp was born. 
What it’s like for producers to interact with Gripp + their feedback. 
How their partnership with Purdue DIAL has accelerated growth on the farm. 
Bringing tech talent back to their roots. 
What’s ahead for Gripp. 
 

336. Doing something with your data + the ag equipment market with Gripp’s Tracey Wiedmeyer

This weekly podcast dives into the agbioscience sector, where agriculture, life sciences innovation and cutting-edge technology converge. Agbioscience is an in-depth conversation with leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs across food, animal health. plant science and agtech. Learn more about industry innovation and where it's heading from those leading the way.

Agbioscience

Food is the only economy in the world that touches every person on the planet. We are all connected to food, and one of the world's top marketers turned entrepreneur is now making the connection between farms, food, and people. Scott Nelson, CEO of Make Hay, joins us to talk all things consumers and connecting to the meaningful world of agriculture. We get into:&nbsp;&nbsp;<ul><li>The existing gap between farms, food and people – and the opportunity to leverage today’s media landscape to connect all three.&nbsp;</li><li>His time at Panera and how it shaped his viewpoint on storytelling for brands.&nbsp;</li><li>How Scott’s background brought him to Make Hay + what the company aims to do.&nbsp;</li><li>Make Hay’s relationship with Purdue’s DIAL Ventures and High Alpha, and how it’s accelerating their business.&nbsp;</li><li>Scott’s vision for Make Hay – creating content for food transparency at scale, consumer awareness and farmers at the center of it all.&nbsp;</li><li>Where Make Hay is at today and what’s ahead.&nbsp;</li></ul>

Scott Nelson

CEO, Make Hay

Food is the only economy in the world that touches every person on the planet. We are all connected to food, and one of the world's top marketers turned entrepreneur is now making the connection between farms, food, and people. Scott Nelson, CEO of Make Hay, joins us to talk all things consumers and connecting to the meaningful world of agriculture. We get into:  

The existing gap between farms, food and people – and the opportunity to leverage today’s media landscape to connect all three. 
His time at Panera and how it shaped his viewpoint on storytelling for brands. 
How Scott’s background brought him to Make Hay + what the company aims to do. 
Make Hay’s relationship with Purdue’s DIAL Ventures and High Alpha, and how it’s accelerating their business. 
Scott’s vision for Make Hay – creating content for food transparency at scale, consumer awareness and farmers at the center of it all. 
Where Make Hay is at today and what’s ahead. 

335. Make Hay’s Scott Nelson on the power of storytelling + closing the gaps between farms, food and people

Discover how Scott Nelson, CEO of Make Hay, bridges the gap between farms, food, and consumers on the Agbioscience Podcast with host Mitch Frazier. 🌾📱 #AgTech #FoodTransparency #Innovation

It's almost Thanksgiving! Mitch Frazier and Cayla Chiddister sit down to recap November and get into: - The election's impact on farmers and agbioscience innovation.- Creating certainty for farmers in this new environment to plan for their operations.- Bain Capital investment into a merger of Biodyne USA, BW Fusion and Agronomy 365.- Entrepreneurship Week in Indiana.- Quadrant coming up on December 4!- Announcing a winner of the 2024 Producer-Led Innovation Challenge.

It's almost Thanksgiving! Mitch Frazier and Cayla Chiddister sit down to recap November and get into: 
- The election's impact on farmers and agbioscience innovation.
- Creating certainty for farmers in this new environment to plan for their operations.
- Bain Capital investment into a merger of Biodyne USA, BW Fusion and Agronomy 365.
- Entrepreneurship Week in Indiana.
- Quadrant coming up on December 4!
- Announcing a winner of the 2024 Producer-Led Innovation Challenge.

334. Mitch Frazier recaps November, the election's impact on agbioscience innovation + big investment announcement from Bain Capital

New data from AgFunder News shows that ag biologics are used by just under half of U.S. farmers. Dr. Alex Cochran, CTO of DPH Biologicals, joins today to share his unique perspective on this growing market. &nbsp; We discuss:&nbsp; <ul><li>What are ag biologicals and their role in modern production agriculture.&nbsp;</li><li>Biologicals as an important piece for growers as they manage a tough farm economy.&nbsp;</li><li>The challenge of change when it comes to farming practices and the criticality of clearly describing ROI for growers.&nbsp;</li><li>Movement in the biologicals market from big players like Corteva’s acquisition of Symborg and Stoller.&nbsp;</li><li>DPH’s focus on differentiation and value to its growers + a deep dive into the conversations they’re having at the farmgate right now.&nbsp;</li></ul> The biologicals market has come a long way, but is it still early innings? Alex talks how the technology has evolved what’s on the horizon for DPH Biologicals.&nbsp;

Dr. Alex Cochran

CTO, DPH Biologicals

New data from AgFunder News shows that ag biologics are used by just under half of U.S. farmers. Dr. Alex Cochran, CTO of DPH Biologicals, joins today to share his unique perspective on this growing market.  

We discuss: 

What are ag biologicals and their role in modern production agriculture. 
Biologicals as an important piece for growers as they manage a tough farm economy. 
The challenge of change when it comes to farming practices and the criticality of clearly describing ROI for growers. 
Movement in the biologicals market from big players like Corteva’s acquisition of Symborg and Stoller. 
DPH’s focus on differentiation and value to its growers + a deep dive into the conversations they’re having at the farmgate right now. 
T
he biologicals market has come a long way, but is it still early innings? Alex talks how the technology has evolved what’s on the horizon for DPH Biologicals. 

333. DPH Biologicals’ Alex Cochran on a maturing ag biologics market + the importance of clearly stated ROI for growers

New data from AgFunder News shows that ag biologics are used by just under half of U.S. farmers. Dr. Alex Cochran, CTO of DPH Biologicals, joins today to share his unique perspective on this growing market.  

We discuss: 

What are ag biologicals and their role in modern production agriculture. 
Biologicals as an important piece for growers as they manage a tough farm economy. 
The challenge of change when it comes to farming practices and the criticality of clearly describing ROI for growers. 
Movement in the biologicals market from big players like Corteva’s acquisition of Symborg and Stoller. 
DPH’s focus on differentiation and value to its growers + a deep dive into the conversations they’re having at the farmgate right now. 

The biologicals market has come a long way, but is it still early innings? Alex talks how the technology has evolved what’s on the horizon for DPH Biologicals. 

America just elected a new president and many states just elected new chief executives and legislators. What does this time of transition mean for ag, for agbioscience and for entrepreneurs? Sara Wyant, farmer, editor and publisher of Agri-Pulse, joins today to help us understand what’s ahead.&nbsp; Sarah gets into regulatory topics – from immigration to sustainability – and talks through what the industry might expect from a second Trump administration, its new players as well as Congress. She also talks innovation, removing barriers to market entry and what lawmakers have to get done in order for farmers to plan for their operations.&nbsp; Sarah founded Agri-Pulse with the idea that someone should be telling the story of how policy affects the hard work of farmers and, ultimately, the food we consume. With eyes on the future, Sarah talks what’s ahead for Agri-Pulse and what issues her team has an eye on headed into a new era of leadership in our country.&nbsp;

Sara Wyant

Founder + President, Agri-Pulse

America just elected a new president and many states just elected new chief executives and legislators. What does this time of transition mean for ag, for agbioscience and for entrepreneurs? Sara Wyant, farmer, editor and publisher of Agri-Pulse, joins today to help us understand what’s ahead. 

Sarah gets into regulatory topics – from immigration to sustainability – and talks through what the industry might expect from a second Trump administration, its new players as well as Congress. She also talks innovation, removing barriers to market entry and what lawmakers have to get done in order for farmers to plan for their operations. 

Sarah founded Agri-Pulse with the idea that someone should be telling the story of how policy affects the hard work of farmers and, ultimately, the food we consume. With eyes on the future, Sarah talks what’s ahead for Agri-Pulse and what issues her team has an eye on headed into a new era of leadership in our country. 

332. How policy will shape opportunities for innovation in agbioscience with Agri-Pulse's Sara Wyant

Workforce development is a topic that tops the list of policymakers and business leaders across the country; but true change in workforce development requires more than policy or curriculum. Field Atlas is an online career exploration platform, coupled with the power of on-campus peer ambassadors, to connect the future workforce to careers across food, animal health, plant science, agtech and agriculture. Today we are joined by Ball State University student and Field Atlas Ambassador, Rilynne Puckett, to talk careers, discovering agbioscience and to answer a big question: what are young people looking for in their professional lives?&nbsp; Rilynne dives into her accidental discovery of agbiosciences via the Field Atlas Company Tours program and how she instantly saw herself applying a chemistry degree to the industry. She’s been connecting with her peers on campus to share the agbioscience story – and talks their reaction to the opportunities in front of them.&nbsp; What are college students looking for as the enter the workforce? Rilynne gets into striving for purpose, doing something you love and making an impact on our world. &nbsp;

Rilynne Puckett

Field Atlas Ambassador, Ball State University

Workforce development is a topic that tops the list of policymakers and business leaders across the country; but true change in workforce development requires more than policy or curriculum. Field Atlas is an online career exploration platform, coupled with the power of on-campus peer ambassadors, to connect the future workforce to careers across food, animal health, plant science, agtech and agriculture. Today we are joined by Ball State University student and Field Atlas Ambassador, Rilynne Puckett, to talk careers, discovering agbioscience and to answer a big question: what are young people looking for in their professional lives? 

Rilynne dives into her accidental discovery of agbiosciences via the Field Atlas Company Tours program and how she instantly saw herself applying a chemistry degree to the industry. She’s been connecting with her peers on campus to share the agbioscience story – and talks their reaction to the opportunities in front of them. 

What are college students looking for as the enter the workforce? Rilynne gets into striving for purpose, doing something you love and making an impact on our world.  

331. Field Atlas’ Rilynne Puckett on striving for purpose + the growing interest in agbioscience careers among college students

A new survey of agribusiness professionals found that more than 70% spend more than 11 hours a week collecting, collating and analyzing data. It’s a challenge being tackled by Brazilian company, Sensix, and CEO Carlos Ribeiro joins us today to talk data as a huge task on-farm and their role in optimizing decisions for farmers.&nbsp;&nbsp; Tremendous troves of data exist on the farm and, surprisingly, Carlos says the problems facing farmers in the U.S. are much the same as they are in Brazil. He gets into decision science and stresses the importance of mindset for tech adoption – despite the size of the farm.&nbsp;&nbsp; So how is Sensix uniquely solving this problem? A tech guy at heart, Carlos says he realized the amount of data needed to adequately manage farms. He tells the Sensix story, consolidating software and creating one interface for the farmer.&nbsp;&nbsp; In a time of tight farm margins, tech adoption is a tough sell. Carlos dives into their mission for a clear return on investment and putting money in farmers’ pockets in the short and long-term. On his recent visit to Indiana, he marvels at farmers’ data logs, appetite for decisions and looks ahead to what’s next for Sensix.&nbsp;

Carlos Ribeiro

CEO, Sensix

A new survey of agribusiness professionals found that more than 70% spend more than 11 hours a week collecting, collating and analyzing data. It’s a challenge being tackled by Brazilian company, Sensix, and CEO Carlos Ribeiro joins us today to talk data as a huge task on-farm and their role in optimizing decisions for farmers.  

Tremendous troves of data exist on the farm and, surprisingly, Carlos says the problems facing farmers in the U.S. are much the same as they are in Brazil. He gets into decision science and stresses the importance of mindset for tech adoption – despite the size of the farm.  

So how is Sensix uniquely solving this problem? A tech guy at heart, Carlos says he realized the amount of data needed to adequately manage farms. He tells the Sensix story, consolidating software and creating one interface for the farmer.  

In a time of tight farm margins, tech adoption is a tough sell. Carlos dives into their mission for a clear return on investment and putting money in farmers’ pockets in the short and long-term. On his recent visit to Indiana, he marvels at farmers’ data logs, appetite for decisions and looks ahead to what’s next for Sensix. 

330. Decision science, optimizing data + uniquely solving problems with Sensix Ag’s Carlos Ribeiro

From the grand opening of BioBond's new Indiana location to the announcement of Sustainea and Primient's $400 million announcement, it's been a massive month for bioinnovation news. Mitch Frazier and Cayla Chiddister recap the month and look ahead to the rest of 2024 -- including AgriNovus' last QUADRANT of the year.

From the grand opening of BioBond's new Indiana location to the announcement of Sustainea and Primient's $400 million announcement, it's been a massive month for bioinnovation news. Mitch Frazier and Cayla Chiddister recap the month and look ahead to the rest of 2024 -- including AgriNovus' last QUADRANT of the year.

Recent Episodes

SEASON 7

335. Make Hay’s Scott Nelson on the power of storytelling + closing the gaps between farms, food and people

334. Mitch Frazier recaps November, the election's impact on agbioscience innovation + big investment announcement from Bain Capital

333. DPH Biologicals’ Alex Cochran on a maturing ag biologics market + the importance of clearly stated ROI for growers

332. How policy will shape opportunities for innovation in agbioscience with Agri-Pulse's Sara Wyant

331. Field Atlas’ Rilynne Puckett on striving for purpose + the growing interest in agbioscience careers among college students

330. Decision science, optimizing data + uniquely solving problems with Sensix Ag’s Carlos Ribeiro

329. Mitch Frazier recaps a gigantic October for bioinnovation + long-term implications for farmers

About The Show

Agbioscience

Mitch Frazier

CEO, AgriNovus Indiana