New Genetic Tools Bring Value to the Farm

This is Tim Hammerich of the Ag Information Network with your Farm of the Future Report.

Innovations in genetics have produced tremendous results for large staple crops like corn and soybeans. But new technologies hold the same promise for more specialty crops. Dr. Matt DiLeo with Elo Life Systems says molecular farming has the potential to add a new layer of value to existing operations without requiring major operational changes.

DiLeo… “ And you know, whenever you speak to farmers in the US at least, they're always hungry for new innovation, new ways they can produce more with less, right? And the sugar beet world is no different. If you're let's say in the world of corn, there's lots of new innovations every year, but not every other crop gets that kind of attention. And so we've gotten a lot of curiosity and a lot of interest from the farmers and processors and other people in the sugar beet world that we've talked to who see this as one more layer of value they can stack on top of what they're already doing without them really having to change too much, just take advantage of this new technology.”

DiLeo says truly innovative ideas have to seamlessly integrate into existing farm operations.

DiLeo… “ A lot of time us technologists can have this glib attitude of, ‘Oh, just buy this new, you know, application part for your tractor, right? And then no problem. You can just use it, right?’ And all this stuff costs money and time, and if you can fit within their existing way of working, it makes a really big difference.”

Once again, that's Dr. Matt DiLeo.