Shows
SWAT AgronomySWAT 022: Catching Up On Precision Ag With Chris HawkinsIn this episode of the SWAT Agronomy podcast we feature Chris Hawkins. Chris is the sales director at Croptimistic Technology based in Saskatchewan. In that role he serves both farmers directly as well as the partners that Croptimistic works with. He’s also responsible for the partner services side of the business, so one of his key objectives is to help their partners grow their businesses. Chris tells host Tim Hammerich talk about his path from the family farm to farm machinery to now ag tech. They also talk more about his experiences working with SWAT MAPS cus...2025-03-0425 min
SWAT AgronomySWAT 021: Farmer-Led Science With Brett McArtorBrett McArtor joins the show to talk about how he using SWAT MAPS in his role as senior research associate at Corteva Agriscience. Since graduating from Iowa State, Brett has remained focused on working directly with farmers to perform trials and research projects on their operations. His work has always involved farmer-led science to determine how new products fit into management systems and how they affect the bottom line. “What does variability within a field mean? I mean, every field has variability, but to what degree is that variability? And is it yield limiting? Is it something that...2024-10-0113 minSWAT AgronomySWAT 020: Population Trials with Paul Sullivan of P.T. Sullivan AgroPaul Sullivan (Twitter/X) joins the show to talk about the challenges he and his farmers are dealing with in his area of Eastern Ontario. We discuss some really interesting population trials that he’s doing, fertility issues coming off years of high fertilizer prices, and what difference SWAT MAPS has made for him and his farmer customers. “When we look at yield, yield is a component of kernel number times kernel weight, and that gives us basically yield per acre. So with the definition of the SWAT MAPS we feel those yield components, we can kind of con...2024-09-1924 minSWAT AgronomySWAT 019: Developing and Scaling Precision Agriculture Tools with Derek RudeIn this episode of the SWAT Agronomy podcast, Derek Rude, VP of Research and Development at Croptimistic Technology, discusses the evolution of precision ag technologies like SWAT MAPS and SWAT CAM. The conversation touches upon the development of precision agriculture tools, advancements in soil mapping, challenges in scaling SWAT MAPS, the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning models, and the introduction of SWAT CAM for crop and weed imaging. Derek highlights the importance of data integration, higher resolution soil sampling, and future improvements using AI and autonomous technologies to enhance efficiency and agronomic decision-making.“The real va...2024-08-1230 minSWAT AgronomySWAT 018: Prairie Legend Les HenryWe have a really special episode for you as we sit down with Les Henry. Retired in 1996, Les is a professor emeritus at the University of Saskatchewan, a private consultant, and farmer. He is a renowned soils expert and in 2010 he released a lighthearted book about his passion for soils titled “Henry’s Handbook of Soil and Water”. He has taught and mentored many farmers, agronomists and ag professionals over the years, and his impact on the industry cannot be overstated. In today’s episode, Les reflects on his career milestones including conducting soil surveys, helping farmers solve pro...2024-05-1339 minSWAT AgronomySWAT 017: Adapting Technology And Agronomy To Local Conditions With Tyler KesslerTyler Kessler joins us to discuss his independent agronomy consulting business in Southern Saskatchewan. The company provides a range of agronomic and precision agriculture services for farmers who want to optimize yield, improve soil health, and reduce environmental impacts. They are also a service provider of SWAT MAPS. Before incorporating Kessler Ag Ventures in 2015, Tyler worked in ag retail for eight years and spent a couple of years with an ag chemical manufacturer. He says in those days he wasn’t seeing a lot in precision ag that convinced him it was really adding a lot of value to fa...2024-02-2624 min
Future of Agriculture[Field Report] Crop Consultant Tyler Kessler shares his experience with SWAT MAPSVariable Rate done RIGHT with SWAT MAPS: https://swatmaps.com/Kessler Ag Ventures: https://kesslerag.ca/FoA 398: The Evolution of Precision Agriculture with Cory Willness and Derek Massey of Croptimistic TechnologyThis is the first installment of a new series of the podcast called "Field Reports", where we will hear from the people who actually use and hopefully benefit from the innovations we so regularly discuss on the show. I’ve been thinking about this for a long time, because in this respect, the show has been very one-sided. We hear fro...2024-02-1216 min
Future of AgricultureFoA 398: The Evolution of Precision Agriculture with Cory Willness and Derek Massey of Croptimistic TechnologyVariable Rate done RIGHT with SWAT MAPS: https://swatmaps.com/Cory Willness on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cory-willness-78b76246/Derek Massey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-massey-61aa909a/SWAT Agronomy Podcast: Apple, SpotifyFOA 211: Ground Truthing AgTech with Cory Willness: https://futureofagriculture.com/episode/foa-211-ground-truthing-agtech-with-cory-willness Cory Willness and Derek Massy are the co-founders of Croptimistic Technology, the creators of SWAT MAPS. Cory is the CEO, and Derek is the CTO. They’ve been working on building precision ag tools for about 20 years together. Co...2024-01-1742 min
Gormley - On Demand CJME / CKOMGormley - Cory Willness - November 16th, 2023A Saskatoon-based innovator is working to help farmers become more efficient with a new digital tool. The SWAT MAPS project has received funding through the Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network (CAAIN). Cory Willness, CEO of Croptimistic Technology Inc. joins Gormley to discuss his deep connection to Saskatchewan land and how his SWAT MAPS project can integrate a suite of soil properties for farmers. Gormley2023-11-1614 minSWAT AgronomySWAT 016: Targeted Herbicide Applications With Trav Hair of Crop Opti ServicesTrav Hair is based in Horsham, Victoria and has worked in ag for 20 years. He’s part of the agronomy team at Crop Opti Services and works closely with research and development companies at their trial site bringing new products to market. As well as looking after his own agronomy clients, Trav also works with machinery companies to help growers utilize their machinery purchases to enable them to achieve better results through the technology these machines provide. Trav shares the value they’re finding in both SWAT MAPS and the SWAT CAM, and the big strides they are making with...2023-10-2636 minSWAT AgronomySWAT 015: Corn Population Economics with Trent Mastny and Justin Mastny of JTM AgNebraska farmers, brothers, and co-owners of JTM Ag, Trent and Justin Mastny join us to talk about their search for a system that would serve their farm better. They also discuss how JTM Ag now helps other farmers in the area take their variable rate technology to the next level through SWAT MAPS. They now combine the precision of SWAT Maps with soil and tissue sampling through Agronomy 365 and BW Fusion and have had some remarkable results. They go on to share about research they’ve been doing on population economics, experiments they’re conducting on their own farm, and...2023-08-2931 minSWAT AgronomySWAT 014: A More Detailed Approach with Anita Renwick of A1 AgronomyA1 Agronomy owner and operator Anita Renwick joins us to discuss her independent agronomy business in Manitoba. A1 provides soil sampling programs and in-season agronomy services in the southwest corner of the province as well as parts of southeast Saskatchewan. Born and raised on a mixed cattle and grain farm in Southwest Manitoba, Anita studied agronomy at the University of Saskatchewan. She ultimately decided to start A1 Agronomy for growers interested in maximizing the yields and looking for unbiased advice. She shares the need she saw for independent agronomy in the area, how she is helping some farmers adopt...2023-06-1230 minSWAT AgronomySWAT 013: Agronomy Advantage with Deb CampbellAgronomist Deb Campbell of Agronomy Advantage joins us to talk about her work in Ontario, Canada. Deb has a great perspective as a Certified Crop Advisor who has worked directly with farmers for many years. As you’ll hear, she not only runs a thriving business, but also has been very involved on the Certified Crop Advisor Board of Directors, the Provincial Soil Action Group, AgScape, and many other entities. Deb talks about some of these responsibilities, and of course her thoughts and experiences with precision ag tools. “We're running very quickly into a deficit of people in th...2023-04-2026 minSWAT AgronomySWAT 012: Variable Rate Planting in Potatoes with Evan MacDonaldLearn more about SWAT MAPS: https://swatmaps.com/Evan MacDonald's Twitter and LinkedInSenior Precision Agronomist Evan MacDonald joins us to talk about water, potatoes, and some of his research in Prince Edward Island in Eastern Canada. In addition to working full time for Croptimistic Technology, Evan began pursuing his PhD with a project focusing on variable rate seed spacing in potatoes. He now has two years of data from trials showing variable rate seeding can significantly impact potato farmer profitability. His journey has been one of identifying missing pieces of the puzzle when it...2023-01-2528 minSWAT AgronomySWAT 011: Technology for Weed Management with Josh LadeJosh Lade farms along with two other families north of Saskatoon, SK where they raise wheat, canola, peas, lentils and barley. Josh grew up on Kangaroo Island in Australia, on a sheep and seed potato farm. Upon moving to Canada over 12 years ago, Josh found a keen interest in the technology side of the business. He joins us to talk about precision weed control, his experience with the SWAT CAM, and harvest weed seed management. “That's going to be a way that I feel that we can really prove to the wider population that we need these che...2022-12-0130 minSWAT AgronomySWAT 010: Rob Swieter on Zone Management and ServiTech's Partnership with SWAT MAPSServiTech’s Rob Swieter joins the show to talk about their new partnership with SWAT MAPS. This alliance will provide farmers with enhanced tools for informed decision-making on their farms through the practical application of high-resolution soil maps, data, process, machinery, and agronomy knowledge. ServiTech provides independent crop consulting and laboratory services throughout Iowa, where Rob is located, but also in Texas, Kansas, Colorado, and Nebraska. Rob and I discuss how he looks at zone management, what led to becoming a SWAT MAPS partner, how the current conditions are impacting farmer perspectives on variable rate technology.“I want...2022-05-2520 min
The Growing Point PodcastCreating clarity around alkali, alkaline, and saline soils with Wes AndersonIn this episode, we speak with Wes Anderson, Vice President of agronomy with Croptimistic Technology. Anderson discusses the terms alkali, alkaline, saline, and saline-sodic and how they impact land and crop management.
2022-05-2013 minSWAT AgronomySWAT 009: Brad Dunnington on Map Making and the Evolution of SWAT MAPSIn this episode we are joined by Brad Dunnington of Croptimistic Technology. Brad was the first employee when he joined the company in 2008 and is now the SWAT MAPS manager based remotely in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Brad processes raw data from a SWAT BOX into SWAT MAPS for an agronomist to ground truth, and then use for soil sampling. This then becomes a prescription file or controller file for a farmer to apply variable rate products in their field. We explore how data collected in the field becomes a useful map for farmers and agronomists and what it took...2022-01-1023 minSWAT AgronomySWAT 008: Jonathan Freeman on Precision Soil Moisture MapsJonathan Freeman introduces us to SWAT WATER and the significance of this tool - especially in irrigated agriculture. Before joining Croptimistic, Jonathan worked as an inhouse agronomist for a large sugar company where he also managed their precision ag program. He has nearly two decades of experience in water resource management, and has worked in multiple countries in southern Africa as well as New Zealand and Australia. We will explore the ins and outs of irrigated agriculture including some specialty crops like sugar, avocados, and macadamia nuts. Irrigation goes beyond just moisture monument Irrigation contributes greatly to nutrient movement...2021-10-2929 min
Future of AgricultureFoA 274: [Tech-Enabled Advisor Series] Precision Ag with Jonathan Zettler of Fieldwalker AgronomyLearn more about SWAT Maps: https://www.swatmaps.com/ Fieldwalker Agronomy: https://fieldwalker.ca/ Jonathan on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ZRAgri Today’s episode is all about precision agriculture, so if you’re into agronomy and variable rate technology, or what our guest would prefer to call optimal rate technology, you’re in for a real treat. If these terms are new to you, at a basic level we are talking about technology that is being used to understand the variability of a field so that the precise (hence the name precision) amounts of a giv...2021-09-0132 minSWAT AgronomySWAT 007: Wes Anderson on Equipping Agronomists with TechnologyOur conversation today covers Wes Anderson’s extensive agronomy background as the vice president of agronomy at Croptimistic Technology. We will discuss the opportunity he saw with SWAT Maps, what’s happening with SWAT water and some of his thoughts on the role site-specific agronomy in some of the carbon and sustainability metrics that are being discussed in agriculture. Wes was originally hired by Crop Pro Consulting three years ago as the first employee in Alberta, and has since grown the business to servicing around 70,000 acres in the province. As the company shifted strategy to license their techn...2021-08-1031 min
CEO Roundtable bridging AsiaS2E6 Precision Agriculture based on SWAT MAPS technologyIn this episode, I speak to Cory Willness, CEO - Croptimistic Technology and CropPro Consulting.
SWAT RECORDS and SWAT MAPS are owned and operated by Croptimistic Technology Inc. SWAT (Soil, water, and topography) MAPS is the #1 variable-rate fertilizer and seed map. The FREE SWAT RECORDS app for field scouting and crop record keeping syncs to the ultimate POWER DESKTOP SOFTWARE for complete farm agronomy management and is the proprietary software platform for SWAT MAPS.
2021-07-2117 minSWAT AgronomySWAT 006: Jeff Bennett & Mike PalmierIn this episode we are joined by Mike Palmier and Jeff Bennett. We dive into how these two collaborate and use technology to improve Jeff’s operation agronomically. You’re going to get some great insights into this approach, how they’re balancing agronomy with logistics, and how they’re integrating multiple technologies to capture the synergies between them. Mike is the owner/operator of Max Ag Consulting, which specializes in field scouting services and works with technology providers like SWAT Maps and Crop Intelligence soil moisture probes. Jeff is a 4th generation farmer who has been farming f...2021-07-0630 minSWAT AgronomySWAT 005: Mark Huso on Continuous Learning and Training the Next Generation of AgronomistsMark Huso of Huso Crop Consulting and Soil Testing joins us in this episode. Mark and I talk about how he’s working with farmer customers during this dry year they’ve had in North Dakota, how he’s training the next generation of agronomists, the technology he finds useful, what he’s still learning about salinity, and some of his thoughts for the future of agronomy. Mark started his own company about 10 years ago doing independent crop consulting after working in ag retail. He works with a variety of crops in the area including cereal grains, canola...2021-05-2526 min
SpudChat#3 Precision Ag in Potatoes - Evan MacDonaldIn this episode of SpudChat, we talk to Evan MacDonald, Senior Precision Agronomist with Croptimistic Technology Inc covering Eastern Canada. Evan has previously worked with both the PEI Department of Agriculture and Cavendish Agri-Services and has a passion for precision agriculture and field mapping. He is also a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Prince Edward Island, studying how soil electroconductivity and elevation can be integrated into to create management zones for variable rate seed spacing in potatoes.We talked a bit about the merits of this type of mapping technology and how it can apply to...2021-05-0530 minSWAT AgronomySWAT 004: Landon Friesen on Finding Practical Technologies for the FarmAlberta farmer Landon Friesen runs Southman Ag Ventures in Crystal City, Manitoba. He farms canola, wheat, edible beans, sunflowers, and flax with his dad and brother. In this episode, he joins the show to talk about his journey into precision agriculture, how he’s using drones, what he’s looking for in new technology. “(Our grandfathers) didn't farm with technology. I can just imagine how annoyed they'd be with us to see a tractor worth $500,000 sitting on the edge of the field as we're waiting for it to reboot the monitor so we can drive in a straigh...2021-04-2024 minSWAT AgronomySWAT 003: Josh Messer: Don't Accept the Status QuoToday on the SWAT Agronomy Podcast Tim interviews Josh Messer, a certified crop advisor with AgIntel Agronomy Consulting. Josh grew up on a farm in North Dakota and started his career in ag retail. After taking a national agronomy role, he missed the one-on-one interactions with growers, so he started AgIntel a few years ago. “We don't have to accept the status quo for what it is. Start gathering information and start questioning whether or not what we've been told for years and years is actually the right answer. Collect your own data, validate it. In some sit...2021-03-2329 minSWAT AgronomySWAT 002: Cory Willness Answers Your Questions (Part Two)On today’s episode, Tim continues his conversation with Cory Willness, President of CropPro Consulting and Croptimistic Technology. Today we share more questions sourced from social media on topics such as precision agriculture and SWAT MAPS. “If you don't have that real solid connection to the ground, your best technology in the world is not going to perform to its fullest potential.” - Cory Willness, President of CropPro Consulting and Croptimistic Technologies This show will feature people from a variety of backgrounds and geographies and interests in agtech and agronomy, but for now we are continui...2021-02-2323 minSWAT AgronomySWAT 001: Cory Willness Answers Your QuestionsOn today’s episode, Tim sits down with Cory Willness, President of CropPro Consulting and Croptimistic Technology. To make sure the questions were relevant, they were sourced from social media on topics such as precision agriculture, SWAT MAPS, “If people just say this area didn't provide profit, they start abandoning it. And it's not always the right thing to do. That area might've needed more care, right? It might've needed more fertilizer. You just don't want to jump to conclusions with the profit map.” - Cory Willness, President of CropPro Consulting and Croptimistic Technologies Instead of askin...2021-02-2320 minSWAT AgronomyWelcome to the SWAT Agronomy Podcast!Monthly episodes launching February 2021! 2021-02-0800 min