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New in AgTech
A Deere-Spudnik Moment
Ag-tech legend John Deere has partnered with Spudnik Equipment Company to revolutionize potato harvesting by introducing advanced electrification and power offboarding technologies. Highlighted in a recent article on Deere’s website, this collaboration offers a transformative solution to one of the most labor-intensive aspects of farming. By embedding electric power systems into Spudnik’s harvesting machines, the initiative seeks to enhance efficiency, ease operational demands, and uphold the high quality that growers expect.
At the heart of this breakthrough is power offboarding—a system that delivers electric power directly to field equipment, reducing dependence on conventional fuel-powered machinery. This innovation not only increases harvesting accuracy and speed but also supports environmentally friendly farming by cutting down emissions and fuel usage. The electrified machinery is carefully designed to handle potatoes gently, helping to preserve crop integrity while maximizing yields—an essential advancement for farmers managing narrow profit margins and rising demand.
Initial field trials have shown promising outcomes, with the new electric harvesters improving workflow and enabling greater coverage in less time. Additionally, the built-in smart tech provides operators with real-time insights, allowing them to make informed decisions and optimize harvest timing. This initiative underscores John Deere’s ongoing dedication to integrating high-tech solutions into agriculture, continuing its legacy of innovation in response to modern farming needs.
For potato growers, this collaboration represents a major leap forward—delivering equipment that is both efficient and environmentally conscious. By combining John Deere’s expertise in electrification with Spudnik’s knowledge of specialized harvesting tools, the partnership sets a new benchmark for sustainable and productive farming. To see it on YouTube, check out the link.
The Gene That Just Couldn’t Quit
Timing is everything in agriculture and many have burned their fingers with new technology, abandoning ship as a result. One has to play the long game, especially in the seed industry, to reap the rewards of long-term investments through compound interests. When a researcher launched and patented a sweet corn gene in 2010, many seed companies jumped into the gene production for the promise of it being a game changer in sweet corn markets. Some companies dove in fast while others took their time but on the onset, the sweet corn gene failed in the market. This would have been yet another failed scientific experiment were it not for one company which stuck it out with gene trials for more than two decades! So what was the aha moment for the Crookham company?
In an interview by Seed World, a fourth-generation seedsman, George Crookham, shares the missing link that caused the sweet corn to be rejected. The answer was in the placement of the sh2I corn gene in the appropriate genetic background. After decades of trial and error, Mr. Crookham and co figured out that the secret was in placing the gene with a series of genes to get the right genetic background for breeding. But remember, the reputation of the SH2I gene preceded it, with the market associating its previous failures to its viability. This is why the seed company kept the first variety, Nirvana, a secret for half a decade.
To win the favor of seed dealers and farmers, the company included the SH2I gene into their corn varieties like Solstice, Nirvana, Eden, Equinox and Golden Halo; slowly introducing the gene into the sweet corn market. They used these soft launches to collect substantial evidence on the success of the SH2I gene before marketing its benefits to their customers. Betting their lives’ work on the gene’s seed quality and the eating quality, the company embarked on changing the narrative in the market and launched the SH2I gene. I can only imagine the celebration in the seed company when they discovered this magical seed works, moreso even better than they had hoped for in the fields!
The sh2I gene, also known as shrunken-2, is a genetic trait found in sweet corn that enhances its sweetness and texture, a game changer for the corny markets. The I gene gives the corn seed more endosperm, making it 28% larger than the normal corn varieties and making it more plantable than the average corn seeds. The shrunken-2 gene slows down the conversion of sugars to starch with the end result being a more sugary corn. With its corn kernels being super crunchy, this corn variety makes for a treat, a game changer in the corn market! In the previous year, the SH2I sales made by the company went up by 40% as customers’ trust was rebuilt and a greater appreciation of the gene emerges. If you were on the verge of giving up, I trust that this resilient gene will be encoded in you and encourage you to quiet the noise and trust the process.
Precision Meets Photovoltaics
In the rolling countryside of Bavaria, a quiet revolution in farming is underway—not in the soil, but above it. Mounted several meters above crop rows, sleek photovoltaic panels tilt gently to track the sun, producing clean electricity while crops thrive below. This is the vision of Feld.energy, a Munich-based agri-tech startup betting big on the future of dual-use land through agrivoltaics.
Unlike traditional solar farms, which compete with agriculture for land, Feld.energy’s system is elevated and spatially optimized. The design integrates semi-transparent photovoltaic (PV) panels mounted on adjustable steel structures ranging between 2.5 to 5 meters high. This clearance allows for unhindered movement of farm machinery and the continued growth of crops or grazing of livestock. Technically, Feld.energy’s panels employ dual-axis tracking to follow the sun’s trajectory throughout the day. This boosts energy efficiency by up to 30% compared to fixed-angle solar arrays.
Before any installation, farmers use Feld.energy’s AI-powered planning tool to:
Map field topography using satellite data
Simulate solar exposure and shading impacts across seasons
Calculate projected energy output
Model water retention and crop response under partial shading conditions
This tailored modeling ensures that every PV installation supports—not hinders—the field's original purpose. Now here is the cherry on top. The tracking system can tilt panels to mitigate excessive sunlight during heatwaves—helping to reduce soil moisture loss and avoid crop stress. “We’re not just placing solar panels on farms—we’re building microclimate regulators,” says co-founder and CTO Matthias Albrecht.
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Behind the vail, Loro Piana : Italian luxury clothing brand Loro Piana is a hidden gem famous among billionaires and royalty. From its shirts ranging from 950 to 4,000 Euros, the high net worth individuals keep going back for more of Loro Piana’s collection given the use of exclusive and fine raw materials in manufacturing. The brand's unusual stealth in luxury fashion raises questions about the nature of wealth and consumerism in the high-end market, revealing a hidden world of luxury that remains largely unknown to the public. Pier Luigi, son of a wool’s trader in Trivero, Italy built the leading global cashmere processor devoid of ostentatious marketing. Here is how the poor boy defied the odds.
The Medway Fiasco: Let me take you back to the 17th Century where the greatest heist of all times occurred. No masked thieves, no clandestine masterminds, not of gold, jewels, or crates of treasure, but of national pride! The Medway Raid perpetrators were the United Provinces of the Netherlands, and the operation was officially sanctioned by the state. The object of the heist wasn’t typical loot. It was a warship—majestic, symbolic, and brimming with psychological value. Its seizure dealt a heavy blow to England’s prestige, with the potential to shift the tides of war in Europe.
The prize was the Royal Charles, the 80-gun flagship of the English fleet. Stretching 168 feet along the main deck and weighing 1,700 tons, the ship was not just a military asset—it was a national icon. King Charles II held it in deep regard. Its capture by Dutch forces wasn’t just a naval victory. It was a strategic and psychological coup—one that humiliated the English Crown and resonated far beyond the battlefield. More on this often forgotten English defeat on BBC
Fathers matter: Father’s Day is more than a dejected yet commercialized event; it’s a chance to acknowledge the quiet strength, humor, and guidance dads provide. From teaching life lessons to cracking terrible jokes, fathers shape our identity. This year’s father’s day is a breath of fresh air. There is a focus on intentional, inclusive, and sustainable celebrations underscoring a growing appreciation for fathers’ multifaceted roles. Whether you’re gifting a high-tech gadget, planting a tree, or simply spending quality time, here are thoughtful ways to make your father(s) feel special.
The Schengen Agreement turns 40: Tomorrow, Europe marks the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Schengen Agreement by Germany, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands in 1985. This landmark treaty gradually removed internal border controls and laid the foundation for today's Schengen Area. 40 years down the line, the agreement has enabled passport-free movement for over 400 million people across dozens of European countries—fostering trade, tourism, cultural exchange, and deeper European integration. The reopening of the Schengen Museum is a remarkable way to commemorate this day. What plans do you have to celebrate this 40-year milestone?
A Thought For Friday
“The late Steve Jobs was a revolutionary thinker. When he walked in on his girlfriend cheating with another guy, he did the unexpected. He made friends with the villain! Steve Jobs quiet manner contrasted with Bob Friedland, the charismatic excon and cheat. Jobs met Bob when trying to sell him a typewriter and they immediately bonded over their shared interest in Eastern spirituality. It was Bob who planted the seed that made Jobs a master of turning flops into triumphs.”
“I’d like to encourage us to day to challenge our perceptions of reality, to question rigid truths that often leave us stuck in our heads, afraid to create. Begin to believe that impossible things are achievable, bet on yourself. Try out that business, with an unshakeable belief in your own vision. Begin to look for opportunities in places of adversary like how Steve Jobs chose to learn from Friedland’s guts. Your willingness to stretch facts towards serving your mission might just unlock endless possibilities in a world that is constantly saying no.
Your mind is like a parachute. It doesn’t work unless it’s open. ~Frank Zappa”
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