Next Gen Ag FARMING AND AGRIBUSINESS LEANING HEAVILY INTO TECH

increase the competitiveness of grain marketing.”

As effective and prevalent as new technology is becoming, it’s not the be-all, end-all salvation for the challenges facing Nebraska’s ag sector today. DeMers said new technologies are sometimes being developed without the direct input of working producers, which either stunt the effectiveness of those tools or slows their adoption.

“When we look at the opportunity side, we are surrounded by it,” he said. “There is precision ag, fermentation, biotechnology, irrigation management, ag robotics and on and on. We are seeing so much activity it’s hard to quantify where to focus.

“I believe the biggest challenge we are facing is the disconnect between the producers and those building technology to benefit the agricultural industry. The producer needs to have direct feedback and feel the value of the technology if they are going to use it someday.”

To this end, The Combine not only assists tech companies in the ways that are typical in the startup world, but also helps form connections between companies and the front-line producers that could benefit from the new technology.

“The Combine is a statewide initiative supporting high-growth entrepreneurs in food and agriculture,” he said. “The program consists of commercialization support through mentorship and a capital readiness program, networking events, a network of partnering producers across the state, as well as incubation space on Nebraska Innovation Campus.

“The Combine Insights Network bridges the gap between early-stage technology entrepreneurs and farmers. As part of the incubator program, start-up companies are partnered with producers across the state. We are also constantly coming up with new ways to help move this industry forward, such as by partnering with producers across the state to work with the startups to test out the products and give direct feedback. This results in ultimately creating a better product for the producer.”

The Future is Bright

Ag industry groups are also helping to leverage the ag sector into alternative use for their crops. Chvatal said soybeans are a great example, and the Nebraska Soybean Board is constantly looking for new uses for the versatile crop that are in step with changing market needs.

“Climate-smart funding is becoming a hotter topic and partnerships will continue to arise,” he said. “Carbon markets are here to stay. Our farmers are great stewards of the environment, and they’ll continue to have opportunities for being sustainable in what they do. I think we’ll continue to see more end-user and producer partnerships.

“For example, California’s fuel requirements are spurring demand for soybean supply expansion in Nebraska, as our crushing facilities are the closest in the U.S. to the California market. Crushing will create more feed and we are also in prime position to grow our livestock numbers. We can create money for our communities and keep those dollars circulating in our communities rather than sending them out of state.”

As for his overall optimism concerning opportunities for what lies ahead, Chvatal said with the proper balance of new thinking and traditional sound management techniques, the opportunities are almost limitless.

“The future for soybeans in Nebraska is very bright,” he said. “People still matter and relationships will always matter in Nebraska. It’ll be paramount to get a handle on and help organize all these opportunities to put them in a more palatable format for our producers to truly understand them all.

“If we continue to train and hire good people, the ag industry will thrive. Nebraska remains in a prime spot to grow and feed soybeans and export on top of all that.”

Other future challenges include driving ever-more efficiencies into growing operations, Robinson said.

“Efficiency and elimination of waste within farming operations will likely be the next big thing,” he said. “We are already seeing it with drone technology, soil moisture probes, irrigation telemetry, et cetera.”

Doubling down on current tools and techniques, as well as remaining open to what the future holds, has DeMers optimistic about the future of ag, one of Nebraska’s most foundational industries.

“As Nebraska agricultural continues to grow, The Combine looks to meet the demand on the innovation side. The Combine companies are constantly creating technology with the producer in mind, to help them better their business,” he said. “Producers continue to adapt to the changes in the market and what it demands from them. We see family farms adopting technological tools that help improve yields, reduce water usage, monitor fertilizer and understand moisture levels.

“The Nebraska ag ecosystem is special; we find ways to continuously improve ourselves. We are and will continue to be one of the leading states when it comes to agricultural output.”