Vision Tech Perspectives Podcast

“Join Vision Technology Management founder Dave Swain and agricultural veteran Doug Johnson as they delve into the business side of agricultural technology. With nearly 80 years of combined industry experience, they provide thought-provoking insights and perspectives on different issues. Together, they explore how the industry sometimes overlooks the essential aspect of ag technology: the business behind it. Discover their perspectives on effectively navigating the business aspects of ag technology and preparing for the future of the industry.”

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Buying Patterns and Brand Loyalty (#27)

Doug and I a conversation about how different generations made buying decisions and worked with vendors.

As we had that conversation, it reminded me of a similar conversation I had with a farmer I know.

So, in this episode of Vision Tech Perspectives, we have very special guests, Del and Lance Unger of Unger Farms and Show Cattle.

We talked with Del and Lance on how they work with Vendors and how they make their buying decisions. This discussion also led into a discussion on brand loyalty.

Join us for the conversation.

I Want to Go Home to the Farm (#26)

In the last episode, we talked about “Going Home to Farm” and the work to transition the kids from “farm labor” to becoming decision-makers and the succession plan for the operation. And we continue that conversation in a little different vein.

But what about those who want to go home to farm, but the opportunities aren’t there? What happens then?

We talk about personal experiences. We talk about opportunities moving forward.

Join us for the conversation.

Going Home to Farm (#25)

It’s the dream of a farm family.

The parents dream that they are building an operation that they will pass down to their children and grandchildren.

The kids dream that they go home and take over the farm.

Then reality sets in. The parents are running the operation and the kids continue to be the labor of the operation.

The kids see things that they want to change because of what they have learned at school and seen on other operations.

Transition is hard.

Join us for this episode of Vision Tech Perspectives.

Is Ag Using One Voice (#24)

The Ag industry, like any other industry, has a number of associations, such as The American Farm Bureau Federation, National Corn Growers, National Soybean Growers, National Wheat Growers, National Pork Producers, etc., that are the voice of that particular segment of the industry. But at what point do all of these segment associations speak for agriculture as one voice for policy and education?

In this episode of Vision Tech Perspectives, Doug and Dave discuss how agriculture is under significant scrutiny needs to speak as one.

Join us for the conversation.

#VisionTechPerspectives

Emotional Farming (#23)

Farmers and Ranchers are passionate about what they do. It is their livelihood, their passion, their hobby, pretty much who they are. They are a farmer. They are a rancher.

With that being said, it would be very easy to make decisions based on emotions rather than business information.

In this episode of Vision Tech Perspectives, we talk about the emotions of farming from a very personal point of view.

Listen in to the conversation.

#VisionTechPerspectives

Emoji Contracts – What’s the Legality? (#22)

In 2023, a grain contract was, accidently or on purpose, executed with an emoji response to a text from the grain merchandizer. There was disagreement on the intent of the response. It went to the courts and was upheld. So what’s the future of how contracts can be executed?

In this episode of Vision Tech Perspectives, we talk with Todd Janzen, Attorney, out of Indianapolis, Indiana to get a legal perspective on the mentioned case as well as how the industry may move forward going into the future.

Join us for the conversation!

Why Isn’t Ag Adopting Tech at a Higher Rate (#21)

Ag Technology has been pretty much mainstream since the mid-1990’s.Today, our personal lives are inundated with technology from our phones, to our vehicles, even our homes can be set up as “smart devices.”So why are farmers and ranchers so reluctant to adopt the ag technology on their operations?On this episode of Vision Tech Perspectives, we ask those questions and try to provide some insights on the “why not” and offer insights to better move forward in the industry.

The Avian Flu with Dr. Bret Marsh, DVM (#20)

We’ve been reading all kinds of things about the “Bird Flu,” “Avian Flu”, H5N1 and more names that I’m not sure I can remember.

But what is the real story that’s not in the media? What’s being done about mitigating this virus? Could this be the “next big thing” in the news outside of agriculture?

We ask the questions that we and probably others are wanting to know about the “Bird Flu” and its infection in dairy herds and reported cases in people.

We talk with Dr. Bret Marsh, DVM, the Indiana state veterinarian and someone who is on the front lines of this issue and hear more about the virus and what is being done to corral this virus. (And, yes, pun intended. 🙂 )

What do I need to consider when looking at diversifying (#17)

You’re looking at a limited market as your operation stands today. How do you grow the operation, whether you are just looking at growth or if you are needing to expand for kids returning to the operation.In this episode, we discuss some of the things that should be considered when looking at diversifying the operation.

Government Policies and Programs (#18)

Policies and programs have been a part of agriculture for years, but they seem to be taking on a more significant role in today’s operations as we need to navigate, not just the farm bill, but the more political programs, such as the Inflation Reduction Act 45Z and Carbon Sequestration as an example.

Do you know what is going on with policy and programs that will affect your operation?

Doug and Dave discuss some of the key topics of policies and programs in this episode of Vision Tech Perspectives.