Smart Ag is using automated harvest machinery to push agriculture forward.
The company’s first products allow crop producers to automate their equipment using software.
Paul Bruns, Western Region Business Director for Smart Ag, will present at 1 Million Cups Fargo on Wednesday, May 8.
Smart Ag was founded in 2015 by CEO Colin Hurd.
“Colin really recognized that throughout the ag industry there’s becoming a bigger and bigger problem for producers,” Bruns said. “It’s getting harder and harder to find qualified seasonal help.” There’s a shortage of part-time labor.
Smart Ag’s first product is AutoCart, which allows users to monitor and control an autonomous grain cart.
“It’s a two-component system,” Bruns said—the first part is Smart HP, or Smart Horse Power, which automates the driving side of the process and consists of the parts that go directly on the tractor. The other component, Smart NX, handles the combine side of the equation. AutoCart is a class 4 autonomous system, which means it’s a supervised system—some operations still require human labor.
Bruns has a passion for streamlining operations, and prior to starting his work for Smart Ag, Bruns founded an agriculture consulting business, Precision Consulting Services, performing soil sampling, data management, and other functions. He grew up on a farm.
“My roots go back to being a kid on the farm and helping my dad,” Bruns said.
Bruns joined Smart Ag in August 2018, brought on board at Smart Ag by CSO Justin Heath, who he’d met previously. He was attracted to being part of a company on the cutting edge.
“One of the first trade shows that I went to when I came on board, we were absolutely bombarded with producers saying I’ve got to have it today,” Bruns said. “This is something that’s really going to build a strong relationship with producers because there’s no one else out there doing it.”
One of the challenges for a business like Smart Ag lies in making sure any product they release has been adequately tested for issues, since automation of machines is such a new field. He said the company dreads the possibility, for example, of a social media post saying a Smart Ag-equipped autonomous tractor ran into something.
“We aren’t only willing to stand behind our product,” Bruns said, “but we’re willing to walk in front of our product.”
Smart Ag aiming for a full commercial release of AutoCart in spring 2020. Later, the company plans to expand by offering products to automate planting and tilling.
1 Million Cups Fargo takes place each Wednesday from 9:15-10:15 a.m. at The Stage at Island Park. For more information on Smart Ag, visit smart-ag.com.
