AgTech360

AgTech 360

From the N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative at NC State comes a podcast that takes a 360° view of emerging agriculture technologies. Join the host, N.C. PSI Executive Director Adrian Percy as he speaks with academic researchers, industry experts, growers, producers, Extension specialists, and others in the agtech community. read less

ScienceScience

Start Here

Phosphorus Sustainability, Challenges, and Innovations with Jacob Jones, Director of STEPS Center

Phosphorus Sustainability, Challenges, and Innovations with Jacob Jones, Director of STEPS Center

Phosphorus plays a critical role in agriculture and the environment. Jacob Jones, Director of the Science and Technologies for Phosphorus Sustainability (STEPS) Center, and Materials Science and Engineering Professor, discusses phosphorus sustainability. Learn about the significance of phosphorus for life processes, challenges associated with its overuse, and the development of absorbent technologies to recover and reuse phosphorus efficiently. Jacob also shares his insights on best management practices in agriculture and the collaborative efforts between universities, researchers, and growers to address environmental concerns related to phosphorus runoff.

Episodes

Phosphorus Sustainability, Challenges, and Innovations with Jacob Jones, Director of STEPS Center

Phosphorus Sustainability, Challenges, and Innovations with Jacob Jones, Director of STEPS Center

Phosphorus plays a critical role in agriculture and the environment. Jacob Jones, Director of the Science and Technologies for Phosphorus Sustainability (STEPS) Center, and Materials Science and Engineering Professor, discusses phosphorus sustainability. Learn about the significance of phosphorus for life processes, challenges associated with its overuse, and the development of absorbent technologies to recover and reuse phosphorus efficiently. Jacob also shares his insights on best management practices in agriculture and the collaborative efforts between universities, researchers, and growers to address environmental concerns related to phosphorus runoff.

Grounded Growth: Exploring Soil Health and Sustainable Agriculture with Yara's Rejane Souza

Grounded Growth: Exploring Soil Health and Sustainable Agriculture with Yara's Rejane Souza

Yara's Senior Vice President of Global Innovation, Rejane Souza, shares insights on the world of soil health and sustainable agriculture. Explore the complexities of fertilizer production, digital farming tools, and emerging trends like green fertilizers and biologicals, shaping the future of agriculture.

Unearthing Soil Secrets with Extension Specialist Luke Gatiboni

Unearthing Soil Secrets with Extension Specialist Luke Gatiboni

Dr. Luke Gatiboni, Extension Soil Fertility Specialist and Associate Professor at NC State, shares his expertise on fertilizers and soil health. His research focuses on uncovering the elusive balance of soil nutrients critical for boosting yields. Dr. Gatiboni helps farmers identify the "unique recipes" needed for different soil types and agricultural situations. Furthermore, he delves into strategies for minimizing environmental impacts associated with fertilizer use. Join us as we explore the intricate world of soil health and sustainable agriculture with Dr. Luke Gatiboni.

Women in Science: Entrepreneur Kathryn Polkoff Tackles Cow Burps and Climate Change

Women in Science: Entrepreneur Kathryn Polkoff Tackles Cow Burps and Climate Change

Kathryn Polkoff, co-founder and CEO of Hoofprint Biome, shares the remarkable journey of developing a pioneering product designed to combat climate change and enhance bovine health simultaneously. Tune in to discover how their innovative probiotic solution reduces methane emissions from cow burps. Polkoff is driving agricultural sustainability and innovation - and encouraging other young female scientists to do the same!

Women in Science: FA Bio Founders' Innovative Solutions in Agriculture and the Workplace

Women in Science: FA Bio Founders' Innovative Solutions in Agriculture and the Workplace

Founded by a team of visionary women, FA Bio is dedicated to identifying sustainable agriculture solutions. They have created a new microbial discovery platform to assist with developing agricultural bioproducts. Their innovative approaches stretch beyond the lab to inclusive hiring practices that attract a diverse workforce. Discover the experiences that led these women to pioneer new technologies and their secret to attracting top talent.

Cultivating Holiday Magic from Seed to Tree with Barr Evergreens

Cultivating Holiday Magic from Seed to Tree with Barr Evergreens

Rusty Barr from Barr Evergreens talks about advances in technology that have improved Christmas tree seedling production and helped unlock secrets to accelerating growth. Learn how his family business is crafting the perfect holiday centerpiece from root to tip by introducing new science to the old orchard.

Tree Tech Talk with NC State Researcher Justin Whitehill

Tree Tech Talk with NC State Researcher Justin Whitehill

Dr. Justin Whitehill explains how his lab is helping create a more resilient and desirable Christmas tree. He shares insights on combating root rot, thwarting insect pests, and outsmarting browsing deer. With nearly four decades of tree breeding and genetic improvement research to build on, Dr. Whitehill and his team collaborate with growers to enhance evergreens.

Part 2: Sensors Used at Nash Produce Could Increase Profitability for Sweet Potato Growers

Part 2: Sensors Used at Nash Produce Could Increase Profitability for Sweet Potato Growers

Thomas Joyner, President of Nash Produce, shares how using Sweet-APPS technology boosts profitability and yields by taking pictures of their full storage bins. Joyner explains how sharing timely information with growers about their recent harvests is a win-win for everyone.

Part 1: Using Sensors in Agriculture with NC State Researcher Dr. Kudenov

Part 1: Using Sensors in Agriculture with NC State Researcher Dr. Kudenov

NC State researcher and professor, Dr. Mike Kudenov, delves into the intersection of engineering, agriculture and relationships. As an engineer, he looks at agriculture with a different perspective, modifying tools like sensors for use on the farm. Kudenov works closely with sweet potato producers in NC to leverage new technologies and create a more efficient food production system.

Optimizing Animal Microbiomes with Folium Science

Optimizing Animal Microbiomes with Folium Science

Ed Fuches, CEO and Founder of FOLIUM Science, talks about microbial resistance and the challenges facing the food value chain. Fortunately, a new solution to combat harmful bacteria has been discovered. Fuches explains how their natural alternative to typical treatments more rapidly identifies and terminates harmful microbes.https://foliumscience.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/folium-science/Twitter: @FoliumScience

Foodborne Pathogens with Sid Thakur

Foodborne Pathogens with Sid Thakur

Adrian Percy speaks with Sid Thakur, a Professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine and the Executive Director of Global One Health Academy at NC State. Thakur says, “pathogens don’t respect international boundaries.” Several technologies have emerged to help with the identification and tracking of foodborne pathogens. Advances in genomics, data tracking, reporting infrastructure and interdisciplinary research all contribute to keeping our population healthy.

Monitoring Orchard Pests with Trapview

Monitoring Orchard Pests with Trapview

Matej Stefancic, CEO of Trapview, engaged a multidisciplinary team of agronomists, IT experts and data scientists to develop a unique pest management tool. New solutions for pest monitoring and forecasting allow growers to make real-time decisions. Trials done on apple orchards in the U.S. have already proven beneficial.trapview.com

Apple Tech with Tom Kon

Apple Tech with Tom Kon

We kick off a new season with apple expert Dr. Tom Kon from NC State's Department of Horticultural Science. During peak harvest season, Dr. Kon reflects on the different variables affecting production, and the new technologies being utilized in orchards to maximize yields. His unique connections with the orchards in the Southeast allow nearly half of his research to be done directly on working farms.

Revolutionizing Row Crops with ZeaKal

Revolutionizing Row Crops with ZeaKal

On the last episode of this season of AgTech360, host Adrian Percy is joined by Han Chen, CEO and co-founder of ZeaKal. They discuss the challenges facing the volume-first row crop industry as well as opportunities to improve its nutrition and sustainability. ZeaKal is using its photosynthesis-enhancing crop technology to reharmonize the supply chain by building customized solutions, half a million acres at a time.

Open Innovation with Bayer's Phil Taylor

Open Innovation with Bayer's Phil Taylor

Adrian Percy is joined by Phil Taylor, Director of Innovation and Outreach for Bayer Crop Science, to talk about open innovation. Even with the largest R&D organization in the industry, Bayer recognizes it cannot achieve its goals and address complex agricultural challenges without open innovation with partners of all types and scale. Taylor presents Bayer's model for open innovation and explores how different models can be applied across industries and disciplines.

Controlled Environment Agriculture with Ricardo Hernandez

Controlled Environment Agriculture with Ricardo Hernandez

Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) epitomizes AgTech and the future of agriculture. Ricardo Hernandez, Director of the CEA Coalition at NC State, joins host Adrian Percy to discuss CEA, present its challenges and highlight its possibilities. Hernandez details the varied spectrum of CEA, from greenhouse tomatoes to vertical farming, as well as its place in the food supply chain.

Making and Marketing a Better Soybean with Charles Hall

Making and Marketing a Better Soybean with Charles Hall

Adrian Percy sits down with Charles Hall, Executive Director of the NC Soybean Producers Association, to discuss marketing soybeans to the animal industry and where AI and drones fit into the commodity group's goals.

Making Extension Connections with Rachel Vann

Making Extension Connections with Rachel Vann

Rachel Vann, a soybean Extension specialist and N.C. PSI platform director, demystifies North Carolina's extension program and discusses its critical role in bringing technology to soybean growers across the country.Correction: The Morrill Act was established in 1862.

Understanding Weed Biology with Katie Jennings

Understanding Weed Biology with Katie Jennings

Adrian Percy sits down with NC State professor and Extension specialist, Katie Jennings to discuss the biology behind why certain weeds give farmers such a hard time and what her research program is doing to help. Jennings takes us through the limitations and options, from traditional methods like hand-weeding and herbicides to nascent technologies like electrocution, bioherbicides, and robots.For previous episodes from industry perspectives on weed control, check out the first two episodes of season 3!

A Look Into Alternative Crops with David Suchoff

A Look Into Alternative Crops with David Suchoff

NC State Extension Specialist David Suchoff gives us a glimpse into the future of alternative crops in North Carolina. From hemp and sesame to sunflowers and flax, Suchoff's research takes market demand and farmer concerns into consideration as he investigates crops that can help farmers reduce economic volatility, adapt to climate change, and respond to shifts in consumer demand.