Pivotal Issues Blog

By: Alex Gray Verdant Robotics has raised $46.5 million in funding to scale its robotics and to accelerate wide use of its regenerative and precision ag technology. Verdant’s primary product, “Robotics-As-A-Service” (RaaS), drew considerable attention at a recent agtech expo whose exhibitor floor reflected just how broadly autonomous platforms are being deployed — neighboring booths […]

By: Laurie Bedord Like many rural Americans, the Leffler family dealt with a broadband connection fraught with problems. For years, they relied on DSL to help them run their Americus, Kansas, row crop and cattle operation. Short for digital subscriber line, DSL was introduced in the late 1980s and uses existing phone lines, making it […]

By: Laurie Bedord Tillage has come a long way since John Deere invented the self-scouring steel plow in 1837. Once a basic tool for turning the soil, the implement is being developed into a machine that gives producers the ability to vary tillage settings based on changing soil types, field conditions, conservation practices, and topography. […]

By: Courtney Leeper-Girgis Sprayer drones had hit the agricultural market by 2018, but Taylor Moreland was having trouble finding a dealer who understood agriculture in the Midwest. He wanted to solve a problem for the farmers he serves through his Pioneer seed dealership, Moreland Seed & Soil, in Centralia, Missouri. Many of his customers rely […]

By: P. J. Huffstutter CHICAGO, Jan 8 (Reuters) – The American Farm Bureau Federation and machinery manufacturer Deere & Co signed a memorandum of understanding on Sunday that ensures farmers have the right to repair their own farm equipment or go to an independent technician. As the agriculture sector accelerates its adoption of technology, the […]

By: Cassidy Walter The morning of August 10, 2020, Dave Hommel was walking his fields in Grundy County, Iowa. The wind was picking up and he knew a big storm was on its way when he saw oak trees starting to bend. The derecho was coming with wind speeds exceeding 120 mph. Read More

By: Des Keller In 2018, Andrew Reuschel, a Golden, Illinois, farmer, was moving firmly down a regenerative agriculture path that is key in building soil carbon. Following in a soil conservation mode begun by his grandfather, Louis, and continued with his father, Jeff, their fields were nearing 100% no-till. Andrew continuously experimented with multispecies cover […]

By: Laurie Bedord As the Consumer Electronics Show kicks off today, John Deere announces two new technologies – ExactShot and a fully electric excavator – during the keynote address. This important opening session featured John May, John Deere CEO. He is the first ag tech executive to lead this keynote. Jahmy Hindman, CTO at John […]

By: Alex Gray The Active Cargo System (ACS) by Leitner Designs is a modular rack system for your pickup truck of choice, with a range of sizes available for models ranging as far back as 1999. Leitner offers three variations to the ACS: the Classic model, tonneau truck bed cover compatible model, and the company’s […]

By: Mark McLaughlin Problem: how can we offset land vs. non-farm assets between heirs when values constantly change? We have one son who farms with us. Our other son has a great job two hours away. He appreciates the operation but will never come back to farm. We want to be fair to both, but […]