The May Lunch and Learn event at the Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology (WGCIT) featured an insightful conversation with Paul W. Crout, CCA, PCA, and the AGRIntelligence, Agronomy and Organics Manager for the Western Business Unit at Helena Agri-Enterprises, LLC (HAE).
Crout humorously notes that he holds the longest title at HAE and has dedicated 26 years to the agriculture industry. Prior to joining HAE, Crout managed vineyards in Paso Robles. He is a former chair of CAPCA and an alumnus of Cal Poly SLO and the California Ag Leadership program.
Founded in 1957, HAE is owned by a Japanese company that adopts a long-term perspective on business investments, recognizing the promising future of outdoor farming. HAE operates six hundred retail locations across the U.S. and is a pioneer and service provider for agricultural and professional markets both domestically and internationally. Helena stands out as one of America’s few retailers and distributors with expertise in formulation, research and development, precision technology, data solutions, professional application and manufacturing.
Discussing advancements in agricultural technology over the past decade, Crout highlighted the shift in costs for growers. Ten years ago, drones were prohibitively expensive, and foreign-owned companies were barred from owning commercial drones in the U.S. Today, drones are affordable, and their imaging technology is exceptional. When agtech startups introduce new technologies to HAE, “these introductions typically stem from personal relationships on the farm.” A farmworker often informs Crout about a solution, which he then presents to HAE headquarters in Memphis.
HAE offers a diverse range of products and services to growers. However, many products effective in the eastern, southern, or Midwestern regions of the U.S. may not be suitable for the Western division. Specialty crop farming and smaller acreage in the West necessitate different agtech applications. Crout emphasizes that technology is not doomed in the West; rather, decisions hinge on the cost of the product versus the return on investment.
Addressing the misconception that PCAs overuse pesticides to boost company profits, Crout clarified that PCAs earn revenue through services and overall plant health. They make minimal profit on pesticides, which are sold at margin. Many growers prioritize quality, uniformity, and field timing over yield increases, as these factors are crucial for moving their crops.
As the Organics Manager for HAE, Crout discussed organic, regenerative and biological farming practices. He explained that using biologicals requires preventive farming ahead of unseen issues, relying heavily on intuition and historic knowledge of the land. Organic farming involves additional steps compared to conventional farming, which many growers find time-consuming. Regenerative farming focuses on soil health but does not necessarily have to be organic.
