Vision Tech Perspectives

We've been doing this podcast for over a year, now. We continue looking back at 2024 and what we learned. We also continue to look to the future and what 2025 might hold in store for us and the ag industry. We hope you enjoy the looking back and looking forward conversation.

We've been doing this podcast for over a year, now. We wanted to take the opportunity to look back at 2024 and what we learned. We also wanted to look to the future and what 2025 might hold in store for us and the ag industry. We hope you enjoy the looking back and looking forward conversation.

Supply Chain Part #2 What is it and how does it affect our daily lives? We really didn't pay attention to the supply chain until COVID and our grocery store shelves were empty. Then we paid attention! We continue our conversation with Dr. Susan Olson, CEO of Action Intel, to discuss the supply chain, in general, and then focus on her expertise in inland waterway transportation and its affect on th...

Supply Chain What is it and how does it affect our daily lives? We really didn't pay attention to the supply chain until COVID and our grocery store shelves were empty. Then we paid attention! We talk with Dr. Susan Olson, CEO of Action Intel, to discuss the supply chain, in general, and then focus on her expertise in inland waterway transportation and its affect on the supply chain. Join us for t...

Brand Loyalty. In this episode of Vision Tech Perspectives, we are keeping with the topic of Brand Loyalty. With this episode we continue looking at brand loyalty from the vendor perspective. We continue our conversation with Phil Swain, retired Vice President with PNC Bank. Join us to hear how Phil worked throughout his career in gaining the trust and loyalty of the customer. #VisionTechPerspecit...

Brand Loyalty. In this episode of Vision Tech Perspectives, we are keeping with the topic of Brand Loyalty. We had started with the grower/customer perspective. With this episode we start looking at brand loyalty from the vendor perspective. We start with this perspective in the banking segment. We talk with Phil Swain, retired Vice President with PNC Bank. Join us to hear how Phil worked througho...

Doug and I a conversation about how different generations made buying decisions and worked with vendors. As we had that conversation, it reminded me of a similar conversation I had with a farmer I know. So, in this episode of Vision Tech Perspectives, we have very special guests, Del and Lance Unger of Unger Farms and Show Cattle. We talked with Del and Lance on how they work with Vendors and how...

In the last episode, we talked about "Going Home to Farm" and the work to transition the kids from "farm labor" to becoming decision-makers and the succession plan for the operation. And we continue that conversation in a little different vein. But what about those who want to go home to farm, but the opportunities aren't there? What happens then? We talk about personal exp...

It's the dream of a farm family. The parents dream that they are building an operation that they will pass down to their children and grandchildren. The kids dream that they go home and take over the farm. Then reality sets in. The parents are running the operation and the kids continue to be the labor of the operation. The kids see things that they want to change because of what they have lea...

The Ag industry, like any other industry, has a number of associations, such as The American Farm Bureau Federation, National Corn Growers, National Soybean Growers, National Wheat Growers, National Pork Producers, etc., that are the voice of that particular segment of the industry. But at what point do all of these segment associations speak for agriculture as one voice for policy and education?...

Farmers and Ranchers are passionate about what they do. It is their livelihood, their passion, their hobby, pretty much who they are. They are a farmer. They are a rancher. With that being said, it would be very easy to make decisions based on emotions rather than business information. In this episode of Vision Tech Perspectives, we talk about the emotions of farming from a very personal point of...

In 2023, a grain contract was, accidently or on purpose, executed with an emoji response to a text from the grain merchandizer. There was disagreement on the intent of the response. It went to the courts and was upheld. So what's the future of how contracts can be executed? In this episode of Vision Tech Perspectives, we talk with Todd Janzen, Attorney, out of Indianapolis, Indiana to get a le...

Ag Technology has been pretty much mainstream since the mid-1990's. Today, our personal lives are inundated with technology from our phones, to our vehicles, even our homes can be set up as "smart devices."So why are farmers and ranchers so reluctant to adopt the ag technology on their operations? On this episode of Vision Tech Perspectives, we ask those questions and try to provide...

We've been reading all kinds of things about the "Bird Flu," "Avian Flu", H5N1 and more names that I'm not sure I can remember. But what is the real story that's not in the media? What's being done about mitigating this virus? Could this be the "next big thing" in the news outside of agriculture? We ask the questions that we and probably others are wan...

You're looking at a limited market as your operation stands today. How do you grow the operation, whether you are just looking at growth or if you are needing to expand for kids returning to the operation. In this episode, we discuss some of the things that should be considered when looking at diversifying the operation.

Policies and programs have been a part of agriculture for years, but they seem to be taking on a more significant role in today's operations as we need to navigate, not just the farm bill, but the more political programs, such as the Inflation Reduction Act 45Z and Carbon Sequestration as an example. Do you know what is going on with policy and programs that will affect your operation? Doug an...

In this episode, Doug and Dave discuss the fast-paced Ag Technology market. Today, a lot is going on with mergers & acquisitions, buyouts, VC investments and a whole slew of start ups. But what does that mean for the customer, agribusiness or grower? What do they buy? Who do they trust for a longer-term relationship? These questions and more in this episode of Vision Tech Perspectives.

Landlords, Tenants & Farm Management companies. How is this dynamic changing in the industry? In this episode, Doug and Dave discuss what is happening with land rental auctions, dealing with the absentee landlords and working with the respective farm management companies. Enjoy the conversation!

There are so many things going on with Carbon Sequestration and the contracts that are available in the market today, Doug and Dave discuss some of the things that are going on and what to keep on eye on when considering entering the carbon market.

This is Part #3 of our conversation with Dr. Jay Akridge, Purdue University, talking about the Land Grant university's role in today's fast-pace ag industry and its still-vital role in research and education.

This is Part #2 of our conversation with Dr. Jay Akridge, Purdue University, talking about the Land Grant university's role in today's fast-pace ag industry and its still-vital role in research and education.

Where does the Land Grant University fit in today's fast moving ag tech industry? Our guest for this episode is Dr. Jay Akridge, former Dean of the College of Agriculture and former Provost of Purdue University. Currently, Jay is back on the faculty in Agricultural Economics at Purdue We had the opportunity to talk with Jay about Land Grant Universities and its place in today’s industry.  With...

Our culture is inundated with acronyms. It has become a norm for agriculture as well. The latest acronym that we're now seeing is EIQ (Environmental Impact Quotient). In this episode, Doug and Dave discuss EIQ and how it intersects with ESG (Environmental, Social Governance) and how we will run our operations in the future. Join us in the conversation and share your questions and thoughts in t...

We continue our conversation with Alan Hoskins. However, we change the subject to a sideline of Alan's. Used farm equipment. That used to be a fairly simple topic. Evaluate what you need. Find options, whether at your local dealership or another farmer who is ready to sell. Make sure that the piece of equipment is sound and there are no surprises. And you make the purchase. Today, it can be a...

Historically, there are aspects of business, even outside of agriculture, that we have tended not to question. We find someone we like to work with and then we continue to do business with them. Without question. Without checking with other vendors to make sure we are getting what we need. One of those, outside of agriculture, tends to be a real estate agent (at least for me). The other, and the t...