AgTech vs Big Tech

There are a lot of things going on right now in this space from a new startup everyday from vibe coding to old ones barely hanging on. Incumbents are rebuilding and people are just building their own stuff too. Where is the value anymore? Well...let's explore that and one maybe just has to dig a little deeper and push some new methods to actually service the customer. No way!!

Are we even building the right robot? I get into the humanoid endgame, why field robots get stuck on a fallen cornstalk, the economics nobody showcases, and why pimping my 30 year old tractor makes more sense than a million dollar 9RX.

I'm back after almost a year off. In this one I get into the turning page happening in AgTech right now... why the outside money era is dead, how AI vibe coding has everyone rebuilding their systems, and why the value was never the code anyway. It's the understanding, connections, and trust. Plus why ag software's future looks more like woodworking than a startup. Check out the AgTech directory and as always, like, share, subscribe.

This week is little different and not my normal talk, but please read it out and heck watch/listen to the video below or within all major podcast places as tradition! You'll get it I feel, plus it's easier to do it this way. I'm reformatting my podcasts and newsletter...again... Hang with me, it's an evolution!

Robots and automation are growing and growing in Ag. I saw some of that this last week and I'll say I'm a little more optimistic in their abilities. At the same time, mixed with AI there are some dire realities to think through as well. More on this to say the least... 

We've created so many things that are specific to Ag, but at the same time it uses similar processes to the largest tech companies out there that most use. Should we be building things in our own realm as much or should we use what they have and build with it? More on this. 

In times of uncertainty, sometimes the best thing one can do is call someone up and just talk and figure out a way to help each other. That's what AgTech needs to do right now and it works. I've experienced it. So, that's what I'm talking about this week.

While there are countless options and solutions out there that one can use on a farm, some just don't. Some things just don't work well together either or in certain areas due to the types of crops and even lay of the land. I discuss more on this. 

I talk about something Elon came up with (I think) called the Idiot Index. It's the cost the make a product divided by the cost of the raw materials to make it. Basically the higher the ratio the more opportunity exists for value to shift things. AgTech is high right now, but it's changing too. More on that here.

It's pretty much in the title, but this is one of the big AgTech shows of the year and it's where I known the most people. Here is my highlights and thoughts from the show.