Driving Innovation in Agriculture
On the leading edge of agricultural technology innovation, the Digital Ag Innovation Lab at Iowa
State University is making significant strides in integrating advanced technology into agriculture
and off-road applications. Located in an advanced facility designed to provide its specialized
team ample space and resources to facilitate the development of new technologies and host a
variety of trainings, the lab is driving economic growth and providing valuable support to local
and state-level stakeholders and partners.
Dr. Matt Darr, Iowa State Professor and Director at the lab, explains that his team’s innovative
approach is transforming the agricultural landscape.
“We’re recognized as thought leaders in the industry," Darr says. "We bring thought leadership
to bear on the problems within agriculture by listening to others and understanding the needs
within the ag and the off-road vehicle sector. Then, we explore how we can help through the
application of technology.”
The lab's strategy involves collaboration with industry partners rather than relying solely on
federal grants.
“In doing that,” Darr adds, “we drive economic impact by helping our partners be successful
and integrating technology into agriculture and off-road applications.”
The term 'digital ag' is intentionally broad, encompassing a wide range of technologies that
apply software algorithms, computer science, and digital engineering to agricultural practices.
This comprehensive approach sets the lab apart from traditional settings that often focus on a
single technology or type of innovation.
A Rich History at Iowa State
The Digital Ag Innovation Lab's history spans over 15 years, rooted in Iowa State University's
forward-looking perspective on intellectual property management and commercialization.
"Iowa State University really values working with industry partners," Darr notes. "This
institution, along with the state of Iowa, encourages commercialization and spin-offs from
university faculty and staff that help to power our local economic engine."
The lab's success is evident in its numerous innovations. Among them is yield data, which Darr
notes is better around the globe because of the work the Digital Ag team has done. Farmers
across the world, from Iowa to Brazil, benefit from the lab’s advancements, receiving higher
quality, timely, and accurate data to make informed decisions. This global reach underscores the
lab's significant impact on the agricultural industry.
Moreover, the lab's contributions extend beyond data.
"There’s less herbicide drift globally because of our team’s work," Darr says. “The work we do
advances all three legs of ag sustainability: economic, environmental, and social. By
collaborating with industry partners, we are ensuring that our innovations reach the market,
and make a tangible difference in the agricultural sector.”
Innovating as Ag Evolves
As agriculture continues to evolve, the Digital Ag Innovation Lab remains at the forefront of this
transformation.
"Feeding people is constantly evolving," Darr says. "We believe that 100 years from now, a
thousand years from now, we will still be feeding people, and the way we do that will become
more challenging with the growing population and availability of core resources like water."
At the most basic level, the lab's approach focuses on making agriculture more resilient and
consistent. The goal is to develop technologies that are more than gadgets. The team wants to
ensure each innovation they provide offers real value by simplifying farming operations. As farm
sizes increase and weather cycles become more compressed, the complexity of farming also
amplifies the team’s critical mission.
The aims of mitigating challenges by integrating data, controls, and intelligence has the
potential to make farming more effective as the growing landscape becomes more complex.
"Predictability in agriculture is difficult," Darr freely admits."We have some science gaps that
don’t allow us to effectively predict certain factors today. But our goal is to minimize yield loss at
every step in the farming process. By addressing machine-based, technology-based, and human
error-based factors, we can provide significant advantages to farmers."
Offering Practical Solutions
The lab's work extends to practical solutions that enhance farming efficiency. Technologies
developed at the lab enable farmers to extend their working hours and operate more efficiently,
even in challenging conditions. This resilience is crucial for farmers who face the physical and
mental demands of modern agriculture.
Additionally, enhancing automation in farming is a core focus of the lab.
"We’re building technologies that help farmers get more done with less labor in tight farming
windows, enhancing their resilience and making their job easier," says Darr.
The bottom line, says Darr, is important: the lab’s innovations are allowing farmers to manage
their workload more effectively, reducing the stress and burden of unpredictable weather and
other challenges.
“By collaborating with industry partners and leveraging cutting-edge technology, the lab has
streamlined the way the complex challenges of modern farming are being solved,” Darr says.
“We are ensuring a sustainable and productive future for agriculture. We’re making an impact
where everyone wins."