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Agri Business Review: Specials Magazine
Relevance or long-term success in any industry is not a given, it is earned through continuous innovation, learning and the ability to embrace change. Lummus Corporation embodies this philosophy to develop high-performance cotton ginning machines that withstand the demands of the industry over time. Being in the industry for over 150 years, the company has a reputation for creating high quality, robust, and durable equipment. Its long-standing presence has made the company recognize the impact of the silver wave and the importance of equipping new talent with the essential skills for operational excellence. To address this, Lummus is enhancing its focus on service, support and technical advisors, offering real-time assistance and in-field technical training to empower the next-generation workforce. while honoring the contributions by employees who have made a lasting impact on the industry, such as Engineering legend Donald Van Doorn, Ross Rutherford, and Doug Wardlaw. Ensuring Uptime through Expert Advisory and On-Site Support “Customer feedback is the foundation of our solution development and we are working closely with them to integrate their input into our business,” says Bill Antilla, president of Lummus Corporation. “We are focused on being a problem-solving partner, working side by side with customers to complement the robust engineering and technical performance of our machinery and equipment.” The company implements a structured customer feedback system to ensure that insights from the field directly inform its engineering and product development teams. The service and sales teams interact daily with customers to capture valuable data on performance issues, areas for improvement and feature requests. The feedback is then systematically categorized by product type and issue. Lummus monitors multiple reports on the same issue to validate data and make changes that drive engineering and manufacturing improvements. Regular internal discussions among service technicians, engineers and management ensure that customer insights are seamlessly integrated into its innovation efforts.
Top Agriculture Real Estate Services Provider 2025
A specialist in helping farm owners get the highest returns from their lands, Geswein Farm & Land (GFL) is more than a service provider; it is a trusted advisor. Specializing in farm and asset management, appraisals, tailored consulting and land investment planning, GFL delivers a service that goes far beyond traditional real estate transactions and fosters long-term partnerships. Whether guiding clients through the complexities of farm management or helping them prepare for the future, the firm works with farmland owners years before they decide to sell, offering its expertise every step of the way. GFL exemplifies growth and innovation for landowners by seamlessly blending technology with sentimental values. As a licensed agricultural real estate business in Indiana, Illinois and Michigan, it uses tech-enabled, data-driven processes to streamline appraisals, farm management, and sales. Above all, GFL's approach helps landowners achieve their goals while honoring traditions and bui
Data Driven Agriculture Solutions Company of the Year 2025
The agricultural industry is undergoing a transformation as AI and data-driven technologies reshape how agribusinesses optimize operations, enhance sustainability, and improve product performance. However, fragmented and siloed data continue to hinder AI’s full potential, creating inefficiencies and slowing progress. As the 2025 Data-Driven Agriculture Solution of the Year, Agmatix is breaking these barriers. By harmonizing agronomic data and applying science-backed AI analytics, Agmatix empowers agronomists, agribusinesses, and food companies to make informed decisions that drive efficiency, sustainability, and profitability. Agribusinesses are adopting AI-powered analytics to optimize every aspect of the supply chain, from soil health monitoring to demonstrating product performance. Yet, the true power of AI remains locked behind fragmented and siloed data. These data barriers create inefficiencies, hinder collaboration and prevent agribusinesses from realizing AI’s full potential. Enter Agmatix—a company on a mission to harmonize diverse agronomic data and generate science-backed insights that revolutionize farming at every level. Its AI-powered solutions developed for agronomists by agronomists, harness data to optimize field trials, enhance data analysis, improve crop management and drive regenerative agriculture. The result? Increased product efficacy, better research and development outcomes, and more precise crop nutrition plans. "We work with agronomists—the trusted advisors to growers—to bridge the gap between global agribusinesses and local farmers, enabling real-world adoption of digital agriculture solutions at scale," says Ron Baruchi, President and CEO of Agmatix. What sets Agmatix apart is the fusion of advanced data technology with deep scientific expertise. Unlike platforms that merely offer surface-level analytics, Agmatix embeds rigorous scientific methodologies into its solutions. This approach ensures that every insight generated is data-driven and deeply rooted in agronomic science for companies seeking reliable, research-backed agricultural intelligence. Solving Agriculture’s Data Challenges Agmatix was founded to address a critical challenge in agriculture: the lack of a unified data infrastructure that enables agribusinesses to harness AI’s full potential. Its Software-asa-Service (SaaS) platform streamlines agricultural trials, from planning and real-time data collection to advanced analytics.
CXO INSIGHTS
Improving Precision Agriculture through Cloud Based AI and ML
Enrique Leon, Director, Cloud Services, Florida Crystals, ASR
Farmer Focused Conservation Sales
Thomas Fawcett, Director, Environmental Resources & Precision Ag, Heartland Co-op
Six Sigmas Impact on the Agriculture Industry
Robert King, Executive Vice President, Crop Protection, Corteva Agriscience
Advancing Agriculture: Sustainable Practices from the Field, to the Farm, to the Planet
Rich Burres, Director of Ag Sustainability, Lamb Weston
Improving Public Health Through Agriculture
Colleen M. Zammer, Vice President of Varietal Solutions Growth & Corporate Innovation, Bay State Milling Company
Raising The Bar In Environmental Sustainability
Jeff Halvorson, Director of Sustainability, Global Real Estate, PepsiCo
Building A Resilient And Sustainable Cotton Supply Chain
James Martin, Executive Vice President - Cotton Operations, Parkdale Mills
IN FOCUS
EDITORIAL
Precision Farming, Smart Ginning, Informed Investments
Agri business is at a pivotal moment. As the world faces mounting pressure to produce more food with fewer resources, the industry is embracing innovation to meet the demands of a growing population and a changing climate. This transformation is led by data-driven agriculture, cotton ginning machinery, and agricultural real estate services. Each plays a critical role in modernising the food and fibre supply chain—improving efficiency, enhancing sustainability, and unlocking new economic value across rural communities. Data-Driven Agriculture, powered by AI, IoT, and precision tools, redefines farm management. Real-time insights into soil health, crop performance, and input efficiency are helping farmers boost yields while reducing environmental impact. While adoption is advancing in developed markets, infrastructure and cost barriers still limit access for smallholders. However, expanding connectivity and declining technology costs are poised to accelerate adoption, making data-driven practices central to climate-resilient, efficient farming systems. Complementing this digital transformation is the modernisation of Cotton Ginning Machinery. As global demand for cleaner, higher-quality cotton rises, today’s gins are evolving with automation, energy-efficient designs, and remote diagnostic capabilities. These advances improve fibre quality and processing efficiency and integrate with farm data systems to support optimised harvesting. With cotton cultivation expanding across Asia and Africa, the fusion of smart machinery and digital tools is becoming increasingly essential. Agriculture Real Estate Services are also gaining traction as farmland emerges as a strategic investment asset. Climate resilience, water access, and regulatory compliance are critical in land valuation. Data drives smarter decisions—informing site selection, guiding investment strategies, and managing risk. As agri businesses scale and diversify, the demand for specialised advisory, leasing, and appraisal services continues to grow. In this edition, we spotlight Lummus Corporation, a global leader in cotton ginning equipment, and share expert insights from sustainability leaders like Dave Hyde of JR Simplot and Laura Kowalski of Primient. These insights offer a comprehensive view of the sector's current state and highlight emerging opportunities. We hope these valuable insights from industry leaders featured in this edition will assist you in making informed decisions for your businesses. Let us know your thoughts.
