The 2024 Ag Tech Connect Conference brought together established ag technology businesses, startups, investors and farmers to learn about the changing landscape of the industry.
Among the panels and workshops, two ag tech robotic startups demonstrated their technology at Nebraska Innovation Campus: ALA Engineering and Barn Owl Precision Agriculture.
ALA Engineering, based in Lincoln and Scottsbluff, showcased its autonomous feed truck technology.
“We’re taking feedlot trucks and outfitting them with a full suite of sensors and computers needed for full autonomy, meaning no driver on board,” said Jacob Hansen, co-founder of ALA Engineering.
He said one operator with an iPad can control 10 vehicles, ensuring efficient feeding operations across the entire yard.
In addition, Barn Owl Precision Agriculture (BOPA), based in Colorado, demonstrated its autonomous micro-tractor. The company was the 2024 American Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge winner.
“BOPA provides small farm robots as a service, so any farmer can give me a call,” said BOPA CEO Sarah Hinkley. “We show up with robots and we help small farmers solve their problems.”
Hinkley said BOPA provides precision weeding, precision spraying and precision planting services for small operations.
“Our farmers can use our services and reduce labor by 50-70%,” she said.
Hinkley said the ag technology landscape across the Midwest is what makes companies like BOPA so successful.
“I think it’s because the Midwest farmers are open to trying things… We grow things differently and we try to use our tools differently.”