Innovation seems to be the "talk" in the industry these days. Innovation has rich implications for the future of protein production. Yet it is difficult to advance the innovation cycle due to the limitations of biological manufacturing and its unpredictable behavior. 

The six-month business cycle of wean to market and the unpredictable variables of a biological machine add complexity to the value-proofing process. Many have experienced the fury of a mid-winter PRRS break.  There is no app or technology to prevent that.   

There are four specific types of innovation that give context for understanding how to implement a technology. Understanding the four types helps a person or business to know how to prioritize, evaluate and execute a particular innovation with confidence. The definition of these four types also gives context to evaluating the producer's relationship with existing companies in a way to measure the innovation journey of that company.

Understanding the four types sheds some light on the fact that innovation has been a part of the evolution of swine production for decades.

Here are the four types of innovation.

Holistic approach
Each of these four types has been utilized by businesses throughout history to deliver us the products and services we enjoy today. The understanding of this as it pertains to both innovators and customers is crucial to maximizing the value of innovation. Ignoring them can cause a great disadvantage in the marketplace.

Innovation applied properly can ensure a company of maintaining value in legacy products. Creating a culture of innovation allows the legacy products to act as fertilization for disruptive and radical innovations to take place. This provides an opportunity for the producer to evaluate in stages and partner with companies on solutions.

Each of these categories has value, and a system that combines all four creates robust and effective innovation while uncovering blind spots to potential market or consumer shifts.

Without incremental innovation, the products we rely on can leave us vulnerable in the marketplace because we fall behind. If radical or disruptive innovations are absent, a company misses the opportunity to deliver value and renders itself irrelevant. A combination of all four creates a sustainable and valuable solution for both present and future success.

Summit SmartFarms is devoted to creating irresistible places to work in agriculture by simplifying the complex by equipping people to optimize performance through technology. If you would like to learn more about how Summit SmartFarms can help your organization, you can email Jon Hoek.

Source: Jon Hoek, who is solely responsible for the information provided, and wholly own the information. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.