Water management is becoming one of the biggest challenges facing farmers and ranchers across the United States, and RanchBot CEO Andrew Coppin believes better data can help producers make smarter decisions about one of agriculture’s most important resources.
In an interview with “The Ag Meter” Nick Papagni, Coppin explained how RanchBot uses remote monitoring and satellite-connected technology to give farmers and ranchers real-time visibility into their water systems.
RanchBot Uses Technology to Monitor Water
Founded in Australia and now headquartered in the United States, RanchBot helps producers monitor water assets including wells, pumps, pipes, storage tanks and reservoirs. Sensors collect information and communicate through satellite technology, allowing producers to monitor their systems remotely without constantly driving across their operations.
Coppin said the satellite component is particularly valuable for agriculture because many ranches and farms are located in areas where cellular coverage is limited or nonexistent.
He also emphasized that satellite information can be combined with land-based sensors and other technologies to provide a more complete picture of water availability and use.
Water Challenges Stretch Across the Country
While California faces some of the nation’s most intense water-management debates, Coppin said the challenge is not limited to the Golden State.
From Arizona and Nebraska to Texas and other regions, farmers and ranchers are dealing with increasing competition for water from agriculture, housing, industrial development and data centers.
Coppin said changing weather patterns are adding another layer of difficulty, with producers experiencing everything from flash flooding to increasingly rapid periods of drought.
His message is straightforward: “You can’t manage what you don’t measure.”
He believes farmers need accurate, real-time information about how much water they are using, how much they have available and whether water is being lost or wasted.
Data Could Give Farmers a Stronger Voice
Coppin said proactive farmers and ranchers are already installing well, flow, rainfall and weather monitoring systems to better understand their operations.
That information can help producers compare water use from year to year and document their stewardship of the resource.
He also discussed the Ogallala Aquifer, which stretches across portions of several states. Coppin said concerns about groundwater being depleted faster than it recharges demonstrate why comprehensive water-use data is increasingly important.
The conversation also turned to data centers, which can require significant amounts of water for cooling. Coppin said the growing number of these facilities raises questions about how increased demand could affect aquifers and other water supplies over the next 5, 10, 15 and 20 years.
RanchBot Raises More Than $15 Million
Coppin also announced RanchBot’s Series B funding during the interview. The company has raised more than $15 million, with the financing led by Lewis & Clark Partners and supported by Fulcrum Global Capital and other agtech investors.
The funding is being used to expand RanchBot’s U.S. presence, develop new technology and grow its team. Coppin said the company expects to add approximately 15 to 20 or more jobs while expanding its product offerings for ranchers and farmers.
Helping Farmers Get More Done With Less
Coppin said agriculture is facing rising costs, labor shortages and expensive equipment. Remote monitoring and control technology, he believes, can help producers improve productivity while reducing unnecessary travel, catching problems faster and using water more efficiently.
For farmers and ranchers interested in learning more, Coppin directed listeners to ranch-bot.com, where they can find information and contact the RanchBot team about monitoring pumps, pipes and water systems.
The interview covers much more, including California water challenges, aquifer sustainability, data-center demand and the future of agricultural technology.
Listen to the full “Ag Meter” interview with Nick Papagni and Andrew Coppin to hear the complete conversation about how real-time technology could change the way farmers and ranchers manage water.