Stueve demonstrated autonomous fertilizer warehouse technology

Stueve Innovation has begun deploying its FAST (Fully Autonomous Smart Terminal) system, a patent-pending autonomous fertilizer warehouse platform designed to automate fertilizer loading and inventory monitoring at agricultural retail facilities. The initial rollout covers six ag retail locations, with additional sites expected to be added throughout 2027.

The Iowa-based company developed FAST with KSi and Polymath Robotics to automate tasks traditionally performed by an on-site loader operator. The system receives fertilizer orders, directs an autonomous loader to the appropriate storage bin, calculates scoop quantities and coordinates with blending and conveyor equipment to complete the load. LIDAR-based scanning is designed to measure bin inventories with roughly 1% accuracy, with the resulting data available through an online portal and API.

Automation targets fertilizer retail labor constraints

Stueve said labor availability has become a significant constraint for agricultural retailers when determining how fertilizer facilities are built and staffed. By automating bin-to-scoop loading, FAST is designed to allow facilities to operate for longer periods, while enabling experienced employees to focus on other tasks.

Polymath Robotics is responsible for programming the loader to navigate and operate autonomously inside the fertilizer facility. KSi provides automation controls for the dry fertilizer blending system and integrates the facility’s ERP and order-processing systems. KSi also maintains middleware that dispatches the autonomous loader to the appropriate storage bin and unloading location.

The system’s inventory-monitoring capabilities are intended to provide retailers with real-time visibility into fertilizer volumes without requiring employees to physically inspect storage bins.

Six-site rollout follows prototype demonstration

Stueve previously demonstrated a working FAST prototype built around an autonomous loader at the MAGIE show in Bloomington, Illinois, in August 2026. The company is now operating the technology through its newly formed Stueve Innovation affiliate, which was established to manage FAST and other automation technologies for agricultural retail facilities.

The company said the initial deployment will begin at six agricultural retail locations, followed by additional installations during 2027.

Stueve Innovation has filed a U.S. patent application covering aspects of the integrated autonomous fertilizer-handling and warehouse system, including autonomous loader navigation, bucket and boom controls, and bin-scanning inventory methods.

Stueve Construction engineers and builds fertilizer storage and handling facilities for agricultural retailers, cooperatives and agronomy operations across the U.S. Stueve Innovation was established as its technology affiliate to operate FAST and other automation systems.