October 27, 2026

Benton Group wins Producer-Led Innovation Challenge

By Erica Quinlan

The Benton Group in Ambia, Indiana, won the Producer-Led Innovation Challenge, winning $25,000 provided by Purdue Foundry. The group is in the pilot phase of testing its technology, which is being used in the dairy industry. The competition was presented by Indiana Corn Marketing Council and Indiana Soybean Alliance. (INFB photo)

AMBIA, Ind. — The Benton Group, in partnership iYOTAH Solutions, won the first-ever Producer-Led Innovation Challenge.

The group earned $25,000 provided by Purdue Foundry.

AgriNovus launched the competition to help solve farm management software challenges.

Benton Group’s team includes Keith Hoeing, Paul Ousterhout and Elaine Thorndike.

Their technology is designed to ingest data from multiple sources, secure that data in the cloud and provide data analytics offering better and more connected information.

“Technology tools such as feed and animal management software and weather sensors have the potential to provide valuable information for the dairy industry regarding daily feed intake per pen,” the team’s executive summary reads.

“For example, data points on individual animals, feed rations, delivery timing of feed, amount of feed consumed and wasted, milk yield and quality, and changing weather conditions can be collected multiple times a day to predict changes in cattle requirements and therefore feed intake.”

This information has the potential to greatly increase feed efficiency, minimize feed waste and maximize milk production, the report states.

“This project is designed to create a scalable and repeatable process for automating, validating and displaying the critical data, including automated alert notifications, required to significantly improve feed management,” the summary states.

“The results show great promise to significantly impact financial performance for this farm and others in 2021 and beyond,” said Hoeing, site manager of the Benton Group.

The Benton Team was selected from 15 teams with 58 participants from multiple states.