Takeaway
The presenter reports on the first Great Lakes Tek Flex event, which showcased emerging agricultural technology for fruit and vegetable producers. The key takeaway is the increasing availability of tech solutions—like robotic weeders, smart sprayers, and drones—designed to address regional labor shortages and improve sustainability by significantly reducing chemical inputs.
What the presenter said
- The inaugural Great Lakes Tek Flex event was held in Southwest Michigan last week. [00:01]
- The event offered regional producers a chance to see emerging agricultural technology for their specific operations. [00:07]
- The goal is to expand the concept of what is possible in agriculture, especially for growers in the Great Lakes region who have been historically underserved by tech companies focusing on large-scale western farms. [00:28]
- Innovations focused on weed removal are highly relevant for the region's fruit and vegetable growers, who face significant labor shortages. [01:00]
- A robotic weeder was demonstrated, which supplements tractors by removing weeds within two inches of the crop and between rows. [01:07]
- The "smart apply system" uses lidar to detect a tree's canopy and only sprays where foliage is present. [01:27]
- This smart spray system can reportedly provide growers with chemical savings of up to about 68%, depending on the crop, without losing efficacy. [01:37]
- Drones were shown for spraying applications, flying slower and in narrower swaths to push airflow down into the canopy. [01:50]
- The event is considered a success if attendees identify new ways to increase sustainability, even if they decide a particular technology is not right for them. [02:24]
Trade ideas
None stated. The presenter's focus was on the introduction and demonstration of new agricultural technologies aimed at solving labor and sustainability challenges for fruit and vegetable producers in the Great Lakes region.
Levels and data cited
- The smart apply system can provide "up to about 68% chemical savings."