Precision Farming Dealer editors encounter a variety of articles, social media posts, podcasts and videos that offer a unique look at various aspects of our great agricultural industry. Here is our favorite content from the past week:

• Trimble’s Autonomy Strategy Builds on Tech from Other Industries
• John Deere Adds AutoTrac to Gators
• Survey: Small Growers Priced Out of Precision Ag
• Funding for AgTech Startups Drops 27% in Q2, Still Amounts to $2.8 Billion
• Earth Observation Needs to Take a Back Seat in Ag

Best of the Web This Week is brought to you by Salford Group.

As global leaders with the widest range of spinner spreaders and air boom applicators in the industry, Salford Group has got you covered. Backed by over 400 application-specific dealers, eight North American parts distribution centers and revered in-field application support, we’re the partners you need to make your business as productive as possible.

Trimble’s Autonomy Strategy Builds on Tech from Other Industries

Trimble is building on and investing in autonomy using partnerships across industries, says Kevin Andrews, strategy manager for autonomy at Trimble. In this interview with Progressive Farmer, he explains how a product released with Japanese engineering company IHI Corp. for moving material among facilities will translate to agriculture.

John Deere Adds AutoTrac to Gators

Auto-steer isn’t just for your tractor anymore. John Deere is offering an AutoTrac Ready option on some of its full-size Gator utility vehicles. If something sounds familiar here, you may recall Eric Mensen, integrated solutions specialist at Van Wall Equipment in Iowa, adding auto-steer to a research company’s Gator during Precision Farming Dealer’s Day in the Cab visit last November. Looks like researchers aren’t the only ones who find benefit in hands-free driving on a utility vehicle…

Survey: Small Growers Priced Out of Precision Ag

The American Fruit Grower’s annual survey illustrated a dichotomy between small and large growers when it comes to precision ag, according to this article from Growing Produce. Small growers say they lack the economy of scale to adopt precision technology, while large growers say they’re using it to bring costs down. While the survey demographic is certainly specialty crops, the growers’ top impediments to incorporating precision agriculture tools is worth reviewing with your customers with smaller operations in mind.

Funding for AgTech Startups Drops 27% in Q2, Still Amounts to $2.8 Billion

An analysis from CropLife found 193 agtech startups raised $2.78 billion in the second quarter of 2022, a 27% increase in funding compared to the first quarter of 2021. Startups focused on farm robotics, automation and labor planning collectively raised $69.2 million, while digital agronomy startups received $213 million in funding in the second quarter. “The focus this year has been on showing a clear path to profitability. For some startups, this will not change their go-to-market strategy. However, some companies will have to rapidly focus on proving that they have a profitable business model rather than just showing growth.”

Earth Observation Needs to Take a Back Seat in Ag

In this Twitter thread from agtech writer Nathan Faleide, he argues that a lot of barriers exist to using earth observation (EO) data in agriculture, and it’s just not the right time to introduce these types of products to farmers. “It isn't to say ag shouldn't dive into EO right now or vice versa. I'm saying take it easy, and don't push too hard or promise too much.”

It's been awhile but back at it with my latest @EasyObservation newsletter. Sort of controversial, but here me out and here is a break down and why EO in Ag should take a back seat for now. A thread. https://t.co/HhmVWs8Hmv

— Nathan Faleide (@nfaleide) July 8, 2022

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Best of the Web This Week is brought to you by Salford Group.

At Salford Group, we have range - in our product lineup and when it comes time to apply. As global leaders with the widest range of spinner spreaders and air boom applicators in the industry, we’ve got you covered. Salford’s BBI and Valmar applicators are proven over millions of acres and range from simple, durable fleet spreaders to precision, variable rate machines engineered for high acreage, custom application. Backed by over 400 application-specific dealers, eight North American parts distribution centers and revered in-field application support, we’re the partners you need to make your business as productive as possible.

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