GrainsWest Fall 2019

FARM MANAGEMENT • PRECISION AG • CROP MARKETING At Decisive Farming, we’re dedicated to simplifying the complexity of farming through an integrated farm management solution to help you succeed and discover your next victory. Talk to one of our customer success reps today. www.decisivefarming.com | 1-800-941-4811 Decisive Farming TM is a trademark of Decisive Farming Corporation Blue, which led Crompton to posit he’s nearing another aha moment. “I would say we’re on the cusp of a breakthrough with cloud-based technology,” he said. “It allows us to add onto the platform and go beyond storage monitoring. Think about all the effort that goes into producing a crop—the grain bin becomes a marketing tool, not just a storage vessel.” The adoption rate of OPI Blue among existing customers has been about 20 per cent, with 80 per cent remaining with older, PC-based systems. Despite the challenges of slower uptake, many early adopters are excited about the convenience they see with their head in the cloud. “We’re not afraid of automation or technology, we’re extremely excited about it,” said Blaine Gatez, who farms near Crossfield with family. “[The OPI technology] allows us to take existing facilities and equipment and utilize them better and more efficiently with the staff that we have.” Gatez has been wireless for two years and is just finishing the necessary small tasks to fully automate the system. He described it as “flawless,” suggesting technological solutions in agriculture are becoming better and better with less low-quality offerings in general. The real work is now sifting through scads of data and determining how to manage it all. “Sometimes we are good at gathering data … but it’s difficult to integrate it and learn and devote to making sure it’s part of your solution,” he said. Back at OPI, Crompton is pushing the cloud, but also collaboration. The company recently partnered with Sukup, an Iowa-based manufacturer of grain bins, dryers, other farm equipment and buildings. The goal is to bring a completely integrated grain drying, storage and conditioning system to market. “If a farmer gets his grain to X level and gets a premium in the marketplace … [that] will help validate grain management technology so as to drive broader-scale adoption,” he said.