New and novel ideas are being encouraged in the energy sector. The University of Minnesota West Central Research and Outreach Center highlighted their research during Farmfest. “Agriculture is one of the largest consumers of energy and there is emphasis from companies, like General Mills, Target and Cargill, to push down the carbon intensity of their products,” said Michael Reese, director of operations, WCROC. A Monarch electric autonomous tractor was on display. “This tractor was the result of California pushing for electrification, this is a direct result of the government promoting for it and Minnesota is going that route as well,” explained Victor Rodriquez, a product specialist for Monarch Tractor. Rodriquez said Monarch is a start-up company with about 450 units in operation commercially.
