Blab Tech
Husker Harvest Days Showcases Four Ag-Tech Startups in Nebraska
When the sun rises over Grand Island on September 15‑17, farmers and tech enthusiasts will gather at the Husker Harvest Ag Tech Pavilion to see the next wave of agricultural innovation.
The pavilion, the second in a three‑part series spotlighting fresh entrants to the HHD ecosystem, will host four startups that promise to reshape how producers manage water, monitor livestock, map soil, and track supply‑chain data.
VandWater
Kansas‑based VandWater offers a mobile‑app‑compatible platform that aggregates water‑use data, allocation schedules, and regulatory requirements into a single, intuitive dashboard. Operations manager Ashton Redd notes that the system also delivers water‑quality and nutrient‑management tools, remote telemetry, and a digital labeling system called TokenX that records equipment and infrastructure. The company says its goal is to equip producers with the information needed to navigate tightening regulations and shifting resource availability.
Seismi
Seismi is building purpose‑built sensors for veterinary and livestock health. Its Pet Mat reads heart rate, respiratory rate, and activity through a pet’s fur and bedding, while ear sensors for cattle detect illnesses without the need for new punctures. CEO and co‑founder Yale Zhang explains that the ear sensor attaches to existing cattle ear tags and that the companion app, Pen Rider, helps workers locate flagged animals. Seismi received a 2025 USDA Phase 1 STTR award for the ear tag and plans to run trials with cow‑calf, feedlot, and dairy customers this fall. After testing, the ear sensor will retail for $20 per head.
Terraform Tillage
Based in Iowa, Terraform Tillage is tackling the data gap around soil compaction. Founder Josh Jeske says the company was born from a need to know where compaction exists and how deep it is. The patented SmartProbe system pairs a traditional soil penetrometer with a smartphone to geolocate measurements and generate resistance maps across the soil profile. Terraform is also developing implement‑mounted sensors that capture compaction data while equipment moves through the field, and a Multi‑Depth Sensor that records resistance at several depths simultaneously. Jeske notes that the company’s long‑term ambition is to turn raw measurements into actionable recommendations and variable‑rate tillage solutions.
Big Data in a Box
Iowa’s Big Data in a Box Inc. focuses on simplifying agricultural supply‑chain management. Its flagship platform, SPIDER Ag, is a mobile‑accessible app that lets farmers capture costs, photograph invoices, and record voice notes directly in the field—even offline. President and CEO Sree Nilakanta says the platform automatically timestamps every logged action to ensure traceability and generate government‑compliant reports for USDA NOP organic inspections. The app also offers a flagging feature that classifies data into green, amber, and red categories, highlighting what regulators, certifiers, or buyers need to review. Nilakanta projects that SPIDER Ag could reduce operational costs by 15% to 20%.
Event Context
HHD is a twice‑weekly newsletter event that delivers the latest innovations, emerging technologies, and expert insights to farmers. The Ag Tech Pavilion allows producers to interact directly with inventors, founders, and researchers behind new farm gadgets, platforms, and systems. The four companies highlighted above are among the most innovative new ag‑tech startups exhibiting at this year’s HHD.
Conclusion
The Husker Harvest Ag Tech Pavilion will give farmers a first look at software for water management, non‑invasive animal health monitoring, soil compaction mapping, and supply‑chain data capture. The startups plan to demonstrate their products during the September 15‑17 event near Grand Island, Nebraska. As the ag‑tech sector continues to evolve, these companies aim to give producers tools that improve decision‑making, operational efficiency, and compliance.
The pavilion, the second in a three‑part series spotlighting fresh entrants to the HHD ecosystem, will host four startups that promise to reshape how producers manage water, monitor livestock, map soil, and track supply‑chain data.
VandWater
Kansas‑based VandWater offers a mobile‑app‑compatible platform that aggregates water‑use data, allocation schedules, and regulatory requirements into a single, intuitive dashboard. Operations manager Ashton Redd notes that the system also delivers water‑quality and nutrient‑management tools, remote telemetry, and a digital labeling system called TokenX that records equipment and infrastructure. The company says its goal is to equip producers with the information needed to navigate tightening regulations and shifting resource availability.
Seismi
Seismi is building purpose‑built sensors for veterinary and livestock health. Its Pet Mat reads heart rate, respiratory rate, and activity through a pet’s fur and bedding, while ear sensors for cattle detect illnesses without the need for new punctures. CEO and co‑founder Yale Zhang explains that the ear sensor attaches to existing cattle ear tags and that the companion app, Pen Rider, helps workers locate flagged animals. Seismi received a 2025 USDA Phase 1 STTR award for the ear tag and plans to run trials with cow‑calf, feedlot, and dairy customers this fall. After testing, the ear sensor will retail for $20 per head.
Terraform Tillage
Based in Iowa, Terraform Tillage is tackling the data gap around soil compaction. Founder Josh Jeske says the company was born from a need to know where compaction exists and how deep it is. The patented SmartProbe system pairs a traditional soil penetrometer with a smartphone to geolocate measurements and generate resistance maps across the soil profile. Terraform is also developing implement‑mounted sensors that capture compaction data while equipment moves through the field, and a Multi‑Depth Sensor that records resistance at several depths simultaneously. Jeske notes that the company’s long‑term ambition is to turn raw measurements into actionable recommendations and variable‑rate tillage solutions.
Big Data in a Box
Iowa’s Big Data in a Box Inc. focuses on simplifying agricultural supply‑chain management. Its flagship platform, SPIDER Ag, is a mobile‑accessible app that lets farmers capture costs, photograph invoices, and record voice notes directly in the field—even offline. President and CEO Sree Nilakanta says the platform automatically timestamps every logged action to ensure traceability and generate government‑compliant reports for USDA NOP organic inspections. The app also offers a flagging feature that classifies data into green, amber, and red categories, highlighting what regulators, certifiers, or buyers need to review. Nilakanta projects that SPIDER Ag could reduce operational costs by 15% to 20%.
Event Context
HHD is a twice‑weekly newsletter event that delivers the latest innovations, emerging technologies, and expert insights to farmers. The Ag Tech Pavilion allows producers to interact directly with inventors, founders, and researchers behind new farm gadgets, platforms, and systems. The four companies highlighted above are among the most innovative new ag‑tech startups exhibiting at this year’s HHD.
Conclusion
The Husker Harvest Ag Tech Pavilion will give farmers a first look at software for water management, non‑invasive animal health monitoring, soil compaction mapping, and supply‑chain data capture. The startups plan to demonstrate their products during the September 15‑17 event near Grand Island, Nebraska. As the ag‑tech sector continues to evolve, these companies aim to give producers tools that improve decision‑making, operational efficiency, and compliance.
