November 2023 - 6

AGTECH
Field demos and sessions were a key
part of FIRA USA, which brought ag
robotics industry and growers together
Sept. 19-21 in Salinas, California.
Photos by Doug Ohlemeier.
Robotics +
smart machinery
FIRA USA AgTech innovations focus
on mainstreaming automation
BY DOUG OHLEMEIER
ASSISTANT EDITOR
D
espite a limited number of robots and automated
machines being deployed in some grower fields,
more buy-in is needed by venture capital (VC) firms
that fund AgTech products.
The challenge of
making robotics and
smart machinery more
mainstream was a key part
of discussions at the Sept.
19-21 FIRA USA meeting in
Salinas, California.
AgTech representatives
and their potential
customers from throughout
the world trekked to the
Salad Bowl of the World
to view the latest in
agricultural inventions and
discuss incentives and barriers to adoption.
" This event is different from what would be in San
and Natural Resources. " We wanted to do this event
where the growers are, where farmers farm and food
actually grows. "
Inside the Salinas Sports Complex, growers and tech
" THIS EVENT IS DIFFERENT
FROM WHAT WOULD BE IN SAN
FRANCISCO. WE WANTED TO DO
THIS EVENT WHERE THE GROWERS
ARE, WHERE FARMERS FARM AND
FOOD ACTUALLY GROWS.
purveyors discussed AgTech. Outside, companies parked
machinery in front of exhibitor tents while demonstrations
in vegetable fields and
a mock fruit grove and
vineyard showed growers
equipment working in
real time.
" It's great to see the
- Gabriel Youtsey, University of California,
Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources
continuing development
of robots from the year
before, " said Steven
Saunders, CEO and founder
of Robotics Plus, a New
Zealand based robotics, AI
and autonomous machines
designer and provider. " It's
great to see the community
here and hear the good session talks. "
From tech designers and manufacturers to growers
Francisco, " said Gabriel Youtsey, chief innovation officer
for the University of California's Division of Agriculture
6 | NOVEMBER 2023
large and small, the show brought everyone in the
AgTech sphere to one place.

November 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of November 2023

Editor's Letter
AgTech: Robotics + smart machinery
AgTech: Robotic maneuvers
Cover story: MSHS welcomes new leader
40 Under 40 Class of 2023
Great Lakes EXPO News: Managing IPM programs and nutrient uptake
Great Lakes EXPO: Schedule at a glance
Tree Fruit Variety Showcase
Organic Grower Fall 2023
NASGA Summer Tour: Garden State demand
2024 Buyers' Guide
Blueberries: Unique blueberries
Strawberries: Strawberry options
Farm Market & Agritourism: Revolutionize customer relationships
Ag Labor Review: DOL's end run
Classifieds
Advertiser Index
November 2023 - 1
November 2023 - 2
November 2023 - 3
November 2023 - Editor's Letter
November 2023 - 5
November 2023 - AgTech: Robotics + smart machinery
November 2023 - 7
November 2023 - 8
November 2023 - 9
November 2023 - AgTech: Robotic maneuvers
November 2023 - 11
November 2023 - 12
November 2023 - 13
November 2023 - Cover story: MSHS welcomes new leader
November 2023 - 15
November 2023 - 16
November 2023 - 17
November 2023 - 18
November 2023 - 40 Under 40 Class of 2023
November 2023 - 2A
November 2023 - 3A
November 2023 - 4A
November 2023 - 5A
November 2023 - 6A
November 2023 - 7A
November 2023 - 8A
November 2023 - 9A
November 2023 - 10A
November 2023 - 11A
November 2023 - 12A
November 2023 - Great Lakes EXPO News: Managing IPM programs and nutrient uptake
November 2023 - Great Lakes EXPO: Schedule at a glance
November 2023 - 15A
November 2023 - 16A
November 2023 - Tree Fruit Variety Showcase
November 2023 - 20
November 2023 - 21
November 2023 - 22
November 2023 - 23
November 2023 - 24
November 2023 - 25
November 2023 - 26
November 2023 - 27
November 2023 - 28
November 2023 - 29
November 2023 - 30
November 2023 - Organic Grower Fall 2023
November 2023 - 32
November 2023 - 33
November 2023 - 34
November 2023 - 35
November 2023 - 36
November 2023 - 37
November 2023 - 38
November 2023 - 39
November 2023 - 40
November 2023 - 41
November 2023 - 42
November 2023 - 43
November 2023 - 44
November 2023 - 45
November 2023 - NASGA Summer Tour: Garden State demand
November 2023 - 47
November 2023 - 48
November 2023 - 49
November 2023 - 50
November 2023 - 2024 Buyers' Guide
November 2023 - 52
November 2023 - 53
November 2023 - 54
November 2023 - 55
November 2023 - 56
November 2023 - 57
November 2023 - 58
November 2023 - 59
November 2023 - 60
November 2023 - 61
November 2023 - 62
November 2023 - 63
November 2023 - 64
November 2023 - 65
November 2023 - 66
November 2023 - 67
November 2023 - 68
November 2023 - 69
November 2023 - 70
November 2023 - Blueberries: Unique blueberries
November 2023 - 72
November 2023 - 73
November 2023 - Strawberries: Strawberry options
November 2023 - 75
November 2023 - Farm Market & Agritourism: Revolutionize customer relationships
November 2023 - 77
November 2023 - Ag Labor Review: DOL's end run
November 2023 - 79
November 2023 - Classifieds
November 2023 - 81
November 2023 - Advertiser Index
November 2023 - 83
November 2023 - 84
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