Today’s U.S. farmers and agricultural businesses are navigating a complex landscape, with unique near-term and long-term challenges that include intensified global competition, record trade deficits, rising costs, and more frequent and extreme weather events.   These challenges have created economic instability across the entire agriculture sector with U.S. row crop farmer net income remaining persistently low for the third straight year. Estimates from the University of Illinois show that corn and soybean farmers could face a net loss of between $50 and $70 per acre this growing season. On top of this, global acreage has leveled off at 2.3 billion acres and the average yield for corn and soybeans has also slowed.  This uncertainty affects not only those who grow our food but also reverberates throughout the entire food system, threatening the stability we all depend on. It’s clear that our sector must get off unpredictable commodity rollercoaster and create a more predictable future for farm families, agricultural businesses, consumers, and communities.  Drawing on Land O’Lakes, Inc.’s 104 years of experience as a cooperative, we have learned that collaboration is crucial for bringing stability and predictability to the food and agriculture sectors. The ag community represents only around 1% of the population but, by working together, we can capture efficiencies and reinvest in innovation, expand market opportunities, and support the communities and local businesses that are essential to our nation’s food supply.  Become a student of the game  At Land O’Lakes we have a saying that “Our success starts with our member-owners’ success.” What this means is that our decisions and investments must be made with our cooperative owners in mind. This mantra has never been more important than today when external factors are pressuring our bottom lines and muddying the decision-making process.  In agriculture, we’re seeing pressure on the supply side as a result of global trade dynamics, a reduction in demand due to dips in commodity prices, and a rising cost to serve. All of which results in a tightening of margins up and down the food value chain.    To be clear, these challenges are hardly unique to our sector, and I see the remedy as equally universal. Business leaders must double down on being students of the game, keeping a pulse on market dynamics and geo-political developments to stay on offense. And it’s not enough to simply insulate your own business, we must think more collaboratively to identify solutions that serve partners up and down our value chains.  Inject predictability into our food system  To address the pressures facing American farmers, we must move beyond traditional methods and invest in modern technologies and data-driven solutions that provide detailed plans down to the acre and animal, help minimize risk to inject predictability into farm operations. By creating standardized, reliable, and secure datasets, the industry can provide insights that help farmers respond to environmental and market challenges, manage supply chains, and track production volumes with unprecedented precision.  As I look across this sector, I’m especially inspired by how Keystone Cooperative is working to drive predictability. This Indianapolis-based cooperative is using precise, field-level data to help growers respond to seasonal challenges and maximize their ROI by applying the right crop protection products at the right time and in a precise location.  For Land O’Lakes, data is the cornerstone of our innovation strategy. Through the WinField United Innovation Center, a leading agricultural applied research facility, we collect and analyze roughly six million data points annually to help farmers increase production, improve efficiency and optimize resource use. Those insights are then being delivered in a manner that reduces the risk farmers face each day. This includes low-interest financing, prescription programs with a performance warranty, and an AI assistant that provides real-time solutions to problems farmers encounter throughout the growing season.  The power of the cooperative mindset  In an era where traditional business models often prioritize short-term profits over long-term resilience, the cooperative model offers a compelling alternative. We like to say our capital is patient, meaning we can take a longer-term point of view—considering future generations as much as quarterly performance.  With a reach that touches 50% of the U.S. harvested acres, over 100 million animals daily, and 13 billion pounds of milk per year, the Land O’Lakes cooperative system also demonstrates the strength of collaboration and shared purpose. By working together with established business leaders that have earned local trust and demonstrated the ability to drive change, we can strengthen the economic prosperity of our shared businesses and communities.  The cooperative structure also fosters unique partnerships between stakeholders within and outside the agriculture sector. There’s a deeper level of commitment to shared success that shows up in business initiatives and community building alike. For instance, Land O’Lakes is collaborating with CentraCare to help establish the University of Minnesota CentraCare Regional Campus where medical students receive education, training, and career development opportunities in rural communities where local medical services are desperately needed.   Going forward  As we look ahead, I want to challenge other organizations to adopt this collaborative approach. Think externally and selflessly. Think long term. Think evolution. Even if you’re operating outside of the cooperative framework, this mindset can help solve the challenges we all face, enhance economic performance and uplift the communities we serve.   Brett Bruggeman is the executive vice president and chief operating officer of Land O’Lakes, Inc. 

NVIDIA and Taiwan’s manufacturing ecosystem, including Delta Electronics, Foxconn, TSMC and Wistron, are showcasing this week at COMPUTEX in Taipei the crucial role digital twins play in accelerating industrial AI. These electronics, semiconductor and robotics manufacturing leaders are using Universal Scene Description (OpenUSD) and NVIDIA Omniverse libraries and blueprints to develop physically based digital twins. This is transforming factory planning by unlocking new operational efficiencies and accelerating the development, testing and validation of autonomous robots and robotic fleets. Many of these manufacturers are also extending the digitalization of their factories to the real world, using the NVIDIA AI Blueprint for video search and summarization (VSS) — now generally available and part of the NVIDIA Metropolis platform — to deploy video analytics AI agents into their operations and drive additional automation and optimizations in defect detection and other operations. Taiwan Manufacturers Optimize Planning and Operations With Simulation and AI Agents  Taiwan’s leading electronics and semiconductor manufacturers are using digital twins, physically based simulation and AI agents to optimize existing operations and vastly accelerate the planning and commissioning of new factories. Foxconn is leading the way. At its Taiwan facilities, Foxconn engineers rely on the Fii Digital Twin platform, developed with OpenUSD, Siemens and Omniverse technologies, to design and simulate robot work cells, assembly lines and entire factory layouts. These digital twins connect to material control systems and use Autodesk Flexsim, NVIDIA cuOpt and NVIDIA Isaac Sim to enable engineers to simulate and dynamically optimize the flow of materials, equipment, autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), automated guided vehicles, and other robots and humans. By developing a standard digital twin model for their factories, Foxconn can quickly migrate and easily reconfigure its designs and plans for new factory deployments. Foxconn is using the NVIDIA Isaac GR00T N1 model, the NVIDIA Isaac GR00T-Mimic blueprint for synthetic manipulation motion generation and NVIDIA Isaac Lab to train industrial manipulator arms and humanoid robots for performing complex tasks such as screw-tightening, pick and place, assembly and cable insertion. Foxconn robotics developers use the Mega NVIDIA Omniverse Blueprint to simulate and test large robotic fleets comprising AMRs, manipulators and humanoid robots before deploying them in facilities. To accelerate analysis and decision-making, Foxconn engineers use their digital twin platform to conduct thermal assessments of POD rooms across different scenarios. By connecting their digital twins to the Cadence Reality Digital Twin Platform and integrating NVIDIA PhysicsNeMo frameworks, teams can conduct thermal simulations 150x faster, reduce thermal risks and identify energy-saving opportunities. Using the Omniverse Blueprint for AI factory digital twins, Foxconn can simulate and test GB200 Grace Blackwell Superchips in liquid-cooled PODs to replicate the conditions of an AI factory. Credit: Foxconn The company is also deploying video analytics AI agents using the VSS blueprint from NVIDIA Metropolis for real-time video analysis and insights in live production scenarios. TSMC is collaborating with an AI-powered digital twins startup to optimize the planning and construction of its new fabs. TSMC taps into an AI engine and applications built with Omniverse libraries to transform traditional 2D computer-aided designs into rich, interactive 3D layouts of their complex facilities, including specialized areas like clean rooms. Credit: TSMC Visualizing these optimized layouts in a digital twin allows planning teams to proactively identify and resolve equipment collisions, understand system interdependencies, and assess impacts on space and operational key performance indicators. This AI-driven approach is enhanced by NVIDIA cuOpt for optimization and reinforcement learning with NVIDIA Isaac Lab, enabling the generation of intricate, multilevel piping systems in seconds — a task that traditionally requires substantial time and effort. This enables engineers to virtually validate complex pipe routing and drastically reduce design revisions, ultimately streamlining the entire fab development process. TSMC also uses vision language models and vision foundation models to improve automated defect classification workflows — boosting efficiency to classify wafer product defects for engineers to pinpoint potential root causes for the issues. Beyond the use of digital twins and vision AI, TSMC also taps into NVIDIA CUDA-X software libraries and NVIDIA GPUs to accelerate its entire semiconductor chip design workflow — from lithography with NVIDIA cuLitho to semiconductor process simulation. Wistron teams drive operational efficiencies, optimize layout planning of their plants, and train robots and workers with the Wistron Digital Twin (WiDT) platform. The platform is powered by software from Autodesk, Cadence and Microsoft and taps into NVIDIA AI and Omniverse libraries. By connecting the WiDT platform to generative AI tools and real-time data from surface mount technology machines and shopfloor control systems, operations teams can visualize real-time dashboards to quickly diagnose and improve machine and plant performance. Wistron robotics developers use the platform, and its integration with NVIDIA Isaac Sim, to simulate and test robotic arms. With a simulation-first approach, teams reduced the time needed for each arm to assemble parts on the production line by 12 seconds. Credit: Wistron The Wistron digital twin platform also uses the VSS blueprint to create and curate training videos for teaching workers how to perform and manage complex tasks and scenarios. The platform uses NVIDIA Cosmos Tokenizer to help teams analyze and break down worker actions on the production line and improve standard operating procedures. This approach is enabling Wistron to accelerate onboarding, improve worker productivity and ensure safety. Wiwynn uses AI-enabled digital twins built with Omniverse technologies to optimize factory layouts, simulate production, integrate cobots and enhance quality control through improved inspection and analysis. These solutions have driven significant manufacturing and logistics innovation and efficiencies. Pegatron’s PEGAVERSE and PEGAAi platforms equip engineers and factory managers with digital twins that support many use cases, including factory planning, predictive maintenance, process optimization, resource planning, remote monitoring and quality control. Teams also use the platforms to build visual AI agents to help workers perfect complex assembly tasks. These AI agents, developed with the NVIDIA AI Blueprint for VSS and NVIDIA Metropolis, have enabled Pegatron to augment assembly processes, reduce labor costs by 7% and decrease assembly line defect rates by 67%. Kenmec and MetAI are using Omniverse technologies and the Mega NVIDIA Omniverse Blueprint to build physically accurate digital twins for simulating, testing and deploying warehouse automation solutions. Together, the teams virtualized the entire Chief Smart Logistics Center, creating a full-fidelity simulation environment that brings together physical dynamics, real-time controller logic, AI-driven testing and optimization — all within a simulated environment. GIGABYTE operations teams are using digital twins developed with Omniverse libraries and connected to live IoT data from the manufacturing floor to improve operational monitoring of production systems. By visually flagging anomalies, including equipment issues and delays, the digital twins help teams quickly identify issues, conduct root cause analysis and take corrective actions. Quanta Cloud Technology engineering, operations and logistics teams collaborate using digital twin solutions built with Omniverse to accelerate factory planning. Digital twins provide these cross-functional teams with access to the latest design data, enabling them to provide immediate feedback on proposed layouts, which leads to optimized workflows and improved space utilization. Teams can further extend collaboration sessions to external customers and suppliers so they can remotely contribute to design reviews and validation. Credit: Quanta Manufacturers Embrace Digital Twins to Accelerate Robotics Development In addition to creating the future in manufacturing, Taiwan manufacturers are using digital twins, powered by Omniverse libraries and blueprints, to develop the next wave of AI-enabled robots. Delta Electronics is using Isaac Sim to optimize electronic component production and to simulate, train and validate its entire range of industrial robots — from AMRs to industrial manipulators. Credit: Delta Electronics The company is transforming its expertise into a service by designing a cyber-physical integrated classroom to be launched soon in Taiwan, where customers learn to use the DIATwin platform to simulate and integrate Delta’s industrial equipment and robots to ensure a more effective implementation into their own production lines. Credit: Techman Robot Techman Robot is advancing intelligent automation at Volkswagen’s Transparent Factory. Using Isaac Sim, Techman’s AI Cobots learn to operate on GESSbot AMRs in physically accurate simulations to perform real-time assembly, inspection and adaptive manipulation tasks with precision. By simulating robot behavior and workflows virtually, Techman Robot has reduced the time to program robots by 70% and improved robot productivity by 20%. Credit: Foxlink Foxlink is using the Isaac GR00T N1 model to add generalized intelligence and autonomy to its industrial robots used in manufacturing facilities. Solomon’s AI vision solution, powered by NVIDIA Isaac Manipulator CUDA-X acceleration libraries, is helping Inventec significantly accelerate its robotic server inspection process by boosting complex motion planning speed by up to 8x and reducing errors by 50%. Kudan is integrating its Visual SLAM technology with Isaac Perceptor CUDA-X acceleration libraries into NexAIoT’s AMR, NexMOV-2. This integration uses advanced 3D perception and navigation, enabling them to navigate complex, unstructured environments such as manufacturing, logistics and healthcare facilities with greater precision and reliability. MSI is powering its industrial robots with the NVIDIA Jetson AGX Orin module to perform a variety of tasks, from pick-and-place and material handling to delivering payloads inside large warehouses and facilities. Credit: Adata In healthcare, Adata and Advantech are jointly using Isaac Sim, Isaac Perceptor and Jetson Orin to develop AMRs for disinfecting hospitals. This collaboration has reduced deployment time by 70% and made the disinfection process 3x faster. Ubitus is also using the Isaac platform to train G1 humanoid robots to deliver medical checkup materials and specimens, helping alleviate labor shortages in hospitals. Learn more by watching the COMPUTEX keynote from NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang and attending sessions at NVIDIA GTC Taipei, running through May 22. See notice regarding software product information. Featured image courtesy of Quanta (top left), Wistron (top right), Foxconn (bottom left), Pegatron (bottom right).

Elon Musk said Tesla's robotaxis will be limited to certain areas of Austin during its launch next month. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images 2025-05-20T22:25:07Z Save Saved Read in app This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? Tesla is planning to debut its robotaxi service next month in Austin. Business Insider tested Tesla's FSD Supervised software ahead of the launch. Tesla's FSD ran a red light at a complex intersection in San Francisco. Elon Musk said Tesla's robotaxis will be limited to certain parts of Austin and avoid intersections the company deems unsafe after the CEO was asked on TV about Business Insider's reporting on a critical error made by Tesla's Full Self-Driving Supervised software.In a May 17 story, two BI reporters took rides in a Waymo and a 2024 Tesla Model 3 equipped with the latest FSD software to compare both companies' autonomous driving technologies. Toward the end of the test, Tesla's FSD ran a red light at a complex intersection in San Francisco.During a discussion about Tesla's robotaxi launch, which is set for June in Austin, CNBC's David Faber asked Musk about BI's report."I guess my question is, is that a concern at all for you in terms of it encountering things that are still sort of a crucial test, and perhaps it fails," Faber said.Musk said BI's test "made no sense" because it compared Tesla's FSD Supervised, which he said assumes a driver is behind the wheel and ready to take over, rather than FSD Unsupervised. @businessinsider We tried two self-driving cars to find the differences between them. #tesla #waymo #fsd ♬ original sound - Business Insider BI noted in the story that the test compared a piece of Tesla technology that could be different from the software that will power the company's robotaxis. BI reported one of the test's goals was to see how far FSD had come since its beta rollout in 2020.Musk and a Tesla spokesperson didn't immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday. A Tesla spokesperson also didn't respond to a request for comment to BI's previous story about the driving test on May 17.In the CNBC interview, Musk didn't address specific details in BI's reporting. However, he said Tesla's robotaxis will be geo-fenced to certain parts of Austin.Alphabet's Waymo also uses geo-fencing to limit its autonomous cars to certain parts of a given city, including, for the moment, highways."When we deploy the cars in Austin, we are actually going to deploy it not to the entire Austin region but only to the parts of Austin we consider to be the safest," Musk said on CNBC. "So we will geo-fence it."He added: "It's not going to take intersections unless we are highly confident it's going to do well with that intersection. Or it will just take a route around that intersection."BI's test showed that Waymo appeared to avoid the same intersection where Tesla FSD made the error. Instead, Waymo took BI through a route that was farther and less time-efficient, based on estimated time arrivals provided by Google Maps.During the CNBC interview, the Tesla CEO reiterated his prediction that Tesla's robotaxis will see a quick ramp-up after a limited rollout next month."We'll start with probably 10 for a week, then increase it to 20, 30, 40," Musk said. "It will probably be at 1,000 within a few months."

Captured on Nintendo Switch (Docked)When Onimusha: Warlords launched for Switch all the way back in 2019, we had optimistically assumed that its sequel would be right around the corner. How naïve. A bit of patience has been required, but now, more than six years later, Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny has finally been given the same remaster treatment. We can’t be too mad at the long wait, mind you; with Capcom looking to fully revive the series with Onimusha: Way of the Sword in 2026, now might be the best time to remind players of what could well be the best entry. In terms of what’s new with the Switch remaster, you can look to the original for a pretty solid benchmark. Visuals have been given a nice boost, and while there are no enhancements here akin to what the Resident Evil franchise has enjoyed in the past, the bump up to HD is still pretty nice. Certain areas can look a little muddy in handheld mode, but it’s a fine-looking game for the most part, bolstered by strong art design. Captured on Nintendo Switch (Handheld/Undocked) One area that did stick out to us, however, was the aspect ratio. By default, the game is presented at a widescreen 16:9 display, but you can switch this to the original 4:3 display via the options menu. We opted for the latter for most of our playthrough, since widescreen mode cuts off a huge chunk of the environment and action by simply zooming in to fill the space. It’s not like the game takes any cues from the HD port of the Resident Evil remake by panning the camera as you move to compensate for the missing content; for a lot of shots, it’s just gone. If you can stomach the black bars on the sides, stick to 4:3. Gameplay has received a revamp, with ‘modern’ movement mapped to the analogue stick, and the traditional ‘tank controls’ mapped to the D-pad. It would’ve been nice to have the option to switch these for the purists out there, but with only two control configurations available, the only thing you’re going to be altering is which analogue stick can be clicked to initiate a quick turn. Not the end of the world, but a bit more customisation would be welcome. The modern controls feel pretty good for the most part. Since we’re still dealing with fixed camera angles, there are brief moments where holding in one direction will result in protagonist Jubei jerking to the left or right as you recalibrate your movement with a sudden camera change. Tank controls simply have you pushing ‘up’ to move forward, so these don’t suffer from the same problem, but there’s no doubt that they feel generally more cumbersome in comparison. Captured on Nintendo Switch (Handheld/Undocked) To illustrate the gameplay and visuals a bit better, Onimusha 2 feels like a stepping stone between the rigid limitations of classic Resident Evil and the more free-flow setup of Devil May Cry, despite the latter launching a year prior to Onimusha 2. There are no sweeping camera movements here, which is a shame since the game's fixed angles felt dated back in 2002, but the gameplay certainly feels more agile and responsive than anything you’d find in those early RE games. The story itself stars Jubei Yagyu, who takes over from Samanosuke as the only surviving member of a clan wiped out by the evil Nobunaga Oda. We’ll be honest, Jubei is kind of a boring protagonist with a typically gruff voice, but his lack of wit is compensated for by the surrounding cast, including the charmingly boisterous Ekei Ankokuji and the delightfully flamboyant demon Gogandantess. Gameplay is a mix of sword-fighting action and light puzzle solving. Jubei can wield several unique weapons as you proceed through the story, starting with a basic samurai sword before grabbing a spear, a hammer, and more. You can lock onto enemies, strafe around them, and use a slick mix of offensive and defensive actions accordingly, including the ability to kick your enemies backwards and stab them with a sharp thrust. Captured on Nintendo Switch (Handheld/Undocked) Defeating enemies once again results in their souls drifting upwards into the air, by which point you can absorb them with your gauntlet. This lets you regain lost health, add power to your magic meter, and upgrade your equipment at various shrines dotted around the world. Onimusha 2 dips its toe into RPG mechanics, but it’s light enough that those who aren’t particularly fond of such things need not worry. It’s very much a case of choosing which weapon to upgrade, holding down ‘A’ to spend your currency, and away you go. Crucially, you’re not necessarily punished for not bothering with it too much. Overall, Onimusha 2 feels like a significant improvement over its predecessor, with deeper combat mechanics, more varied environments, excellent boss encounters, and engaging puzzles (including Sudoku!). The music is also worth highlighting, too, taking inspiration from the feudal setting to bolster its authenticity while providing a bunch of catchy tunes you’ll be humming long after the credits roll. Neat little extras are also loaded into the remaster. If you’ve played through Onimusha 2 multiple times, you might ‘enjoy’ the new Hell difficulty setting, which sees Jubei die with just a single hit – brutal stuff. On the flip side, an Easy mode has also been added if you prefer to enjoy the story without much hassle. Captured on Nintendo Switch (Handheld/Undocked) Fun yet throwaway minigames, including The Man in Black, Team Oni, and Puzzle Phantom Realm, are now available from the start via the main menu, and the original’s Gallery mode has been included once again with revamped, HD assets to enjoy whenever you like. Finally, extra costumes for the main game are available, but these look kinda goofy in our opinion. If you own the first title on Switch, however, you can opt to wear Samonosuke’s outfit, which will always look badass. Conclusion Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny is a strong, worthy successor to the original that is now at its absolute best on Switch. Some of it feels dated by modern standards, with fixed camera angles that arguably should have been ditched back in 2002, but it still feels incredibly fun regardless. The remaster adds in a bunch of quality-of-life updates and extras that both longtime fans and newcomers will appreciate, but ultimately, this is a faithful revival of one of the PS2's very best games. Now the patient wait for Onimusha 3 begins. Still an excellent sequel more than 20 years onLots of great characters, even if Jubei isn't the most engaging protagonistGameplay is slick, with plenty of depthNeat little extras bolster the overall package nicelyHell Mode should prove a worthy challenge for veterans 16:9 widescreen mode just cuts off the top and bottom of the screenFixed camera angles felt dated back in 2002Minigames are fun but ultimately throwaway Great 8/10

Because technology changes so quickly, IT teams must constantly learn new things, from cloud platforms and coding languages to AI tools, data science methods, and security measures. But relying on technical skills alone isn’t enough to guarantee success. Many organizations now see that balancing strong technical abilities, a.k.a. hard skills, with soft skills such as communication, problem-solving, and teamwork is necessary for IT teams to be effective in business. Balancing hard and soft skills isn’t optional; it’s essential for building high-performing IT teams, said Ximena Gates, CEO and co-founder of BuildWithin, a company that provides software to help employers create and manage apprenticeships and workplace training programs. “High performance is like a relay race: every team member must be a well-rounded athlete, excelling individually while ensuring smooth collaboration,” she said. “With AI automating more aspects of coding, quality assurance, and design, engineers must continuously learn, experiment boldly, and communicate effectively with their teams.” In the past, having strong technical skills was often enough to land an IT role, Gates said. “We hired engineers based almost purely on their coding ability and even overlooked poor communication, assuming they didn’t need to be public-facing,” she said. “Not today.” Now, Gates said she assesses soft skills as well as hard skills from the very first interaction. “When I interview, I evaluate active listening, curiosity, and the candidate’s response to demands and challenges to gauge resilience and persistence.” In today’s AI-driven world, success comes from combining technical skills with good communication, initiative, flexibility, teamwork, and clear documentation to keep teams organized and productive, Gates added. “Today, everyone — from employees to senior leaders — needs ongoing training in both technical and soft skills,” she said. Speaking the language of business Ramesh Kollepara, global CTO at Kellanova, formerly Kellogg Co., said his leadership philosophy focuses on building a culture of learning. And to make that learning culture effective, it’s essential to balance both soft and hard skills. Kollepara said hard skills are like the car’s engine and brakes — the technical capabilities that allow the car to function. Soft skills are like the GPS and steering wheel — the tools that guide the car to its destination. Kollepara’s analogy implies that just having strong technical skills isn’t enough. IT professionals also need the soft skills to effectively apply those technical capabilities and steer their teams in the right direction. “Durable” skills such as curiosity, adaptability, and agile learning enable IT pros to apply technology in a way that supports and aligns with business outcomes, said Chris Campbell, chief information officer at DeVry University. “For us, it’s super important that technologists speak the language of the business and communicate in terms that nontechnical stakeholders can understand,” he explained. “This bridges the gap in understanding between the technical and business sides.” Balancing hard and soft skills helps IT teams not only handle the technical work but also communicate well, adapt to changes, and align with business goals to ensure successful technology projects, he added. This balance is crucial for IT teams to be effective, he said. Strategies for hiring tech pros with balanced hard and soft skills Building well-rounded IT teams starts well before candidates receive job offers. During the hiring process, many companies now assess both hard and soft skills through several interviews with different departments. “It may seem old school, but we’ve found that going through multiple interviews with members of our team asking technical questions and seeing how the candidate explains the responses really helps us understand their proficiency technically and their ability to communicate,” said Louis Ormond, vice president and general manager at Toshiba America Business Solutions. Erin DeCesare, CTO at workplace catering platform ezCater, outlined a similar approach. During the hiring process, cross-functional partners format the interview around use cases that mimic real-life examples, she said. “So we’re asking a technologist to either design a system or code through a requirement,” she said. “They must demonstrate how they’d solicit requirements from nontechnical stakeholders and then detail how they’d technically solve the issue. In that same hour, we’re evaluating both their hard skills and the way they collaborate and communicate.” John Samuel, COO at CGS (Computer Generated Solutions), said that his interviewing style is to alternate between questions that test a candidate’s technical knowledge and those that reveal interpersonal strengths. “I might start with questions that look at their hard skills — for example, asking them to talk about their technical proficiency in the specific area that we’re hiring for, like cloud, security, or coding,” he said. “Things that you can measure. I’ll ask what projects they’ve led. What projects were successful and what they failed in.” Samuel said he then switches his questions to focus on soft skills, such as teamwork and conflict resolution. By moving back and forth, Samuel can see how solid a candidate’s technical background is and how effectively they leverage soft skills to handle real challenges. “This helps me understand the candidate’s overall balance of hard and soft skills,” he said. At DeVry, Campbell’s approach is to use behavioral-based interview questions to understand how candidates have handled situations that require both hard and soft skills. “We look for ‘red flags’ and ‘green flags’ in how the candidate responds, such as whether they can break down technical concepts in business terms,” he said. For example, if the candidate just doubles down on technical jargon and details when asked about communicating with nontechnical stakeholders, that would be a red flag because it shows that they’ll likely struggle to translate technical concepts into business language. But if the candidate demonstrates an ability to explain technical concepts in terms of the stakeholder’s business processes and outcomes, that would be a positive green flag, he said. Strategies for balancing hard and soft skills in existing IT teams Balancing hard and soft skills doesn’t stop after the interview process. Ensuring that existing employees have a balance of hard and soft skills requires ongoing training. For example, Kellanova offers training to help employees improve both their technical and soft skills through YODA, its Year of Development Always education program, Kollepara said. On the hard skills side, this training keeps Kellanova’s IT teams updated on programming languages, data science, and machine learning. And in terms of soft skills, the training helps IT team members think more creatively and better understand the needs of their colleagues in other departments. Dennis Di Lorenzo, director of skilling strategy at Micron Technology, encouraged IT managers to match their teams’ training plans with the company’s goals. “For example, cloud computing and cybersecurity skills must be complemented by problem-solving and collaboration for digital transformation success,” he said. “[IT managers] should also embed skills into workforce planning and leverage data for personalized learning. Using AI-driven analytics can help assess skill gaps and provide customized learning paths for employees, ensuring they acquire both hard and soft skills relevant to their roles.” Samuel at CGS recommended implementing quarterly performance reviews to track employees’ progress in developing their hard and soft skills over time. A regular, thoughtful review process is one of the most effective ways to help existing IT employees develop both technical and people skills, he said. Too often, IT managers view performance reviews as a formality — they simply go through the motions once a year, Samuel said. But when used properly, reviews can highlight each person’s strengths and pinpoint specific areas for growth, whether that’s learning a new coding language or improving communication and teamwork. Instead of filing these reviews away, Samuel said it’s best to revisit them regularly, ideally every quarter, to track employees’ progress. Along the way, managers or mentors can offer coaching, arrange classroom-style training, or provide hands-on support to ensure employees are continuously advancing their hard and soft skills. “I think it’s also important to create a culture that fosters healthy dialogue, both in hard and soft skills,” Samuel said. “People should feel like they can come and say, ‘Hey, I want help here. I’m struggling here in my soft skills,’ or ‘Hey, there are some new projects [I need help with]’ — and that might be more hard skills.” Further reading: How to keep tech workers engaged in the age of AI Just what is an ‘IT worker’ now? The definition is changing 15 mistakes that make hiring IT talent harder

Click here to read this story in English.SONORA, México — Este paisaje no parecía ser un lugar donde encontrar jaguares, el felino de la selva más famoso del mundo. El suelo estaba reseco, rocoso y casi en su totalidad de color café, a excepción del ocasional cactus o palmera. Hacía tanto calor que incluso algunos de los espinosos nopales se estaban marchitando.Sin embargo, ahí estaba — en la pantalla de una cámara con sensor de movimiento amarrada a un roble cerca del lecho de un arroyo seco. Al menos una semana antes, un gran jaguar había caminado exactamente por donde yo me había parado. Incluso desde la pequeña pantalla de la cámara, el felino se veía imponente, con sus grandes patas y una amplia mandíbula que podría destruir cráneos. La Reserva del Jaguar del Norte está situada en la Sierra Madre Occidental, en Sonora, un estado mexicano del norte. Durante nuestra visita en abril, en temporada de sequía, apenas había vegetación que no sean plantas desérticas como cactus y agaves. Ash Ponders para VoxEra una tarde calurosa de abril y me encontraba en la Reserva del Jaguar del Norte, un área protegida en Sonora, aproximadamente a 200 km al sur de la frontera con Arizona en los Estados Unidos. La reserva y la región a su alrededor albergan a la población de jaguares más septentrional del mundo, los felinos más grandes del hemisferio occidental, así como otras tres especies de felinos salvajes: ocelotes, linces y pumas.El de la pantalla se llamaba El Guapo. Es el más grande de los cinco o seis jaguares que habitan en la reserva y probablemente haya engendrado a varios cachorros, me comenta Miguel Gómez Ramírez, el gerente de la reserva.El Guapo tiene una personalidad audaz: mientras algunos de los jaguares del parque se asustan con el flash o el sonido de las cámaras con sensores de movimiento esparcidas por la reserva, saltando como gatos de casa sorprendidos, al Guapo no parece importarle. Es como si supiera que está en la cima de la cadena alimenticia.1/4El Guapo. Northern Jaguar ProjectMientras los jaguares son a menudo asociados con las zonas tropicales, alguna vez se extendieron tan al norte como al Sur de California, el Gran Cañón y posiblemente incluso Luisiana. ¡Estados Unidos tenía jaguares! Y después, no fue así. A mediados de 1900, los ganaderos y cazadores habían exterminado a estos felinos — como muchos otros depredadores salvajes — en gran parte porque eran vistos como una amenaza para el ganado. Los jaguares ocasionalmente matan vacas, aunque muy pocos casos de ataques a ganado se han verificado en los Estados Unidos. En las últimas décadas, varios jaguares machos han regresado a su hábitat histórico en el suroeste de los Estados Unidos– más recientemente, en diciembre de 2023. Los extraordinarios avistamientos dan a los defensores del medio ambiente la esperanza de que algún día los jaguares puedan regresar a los Estados Unidos, reparando así una cadena alimenticia rota y recuperando una importante pieza faltante de la cultura indígena en la frontera.Una piel de jaguar se exhibe en el Centro Ecológico de Sonora, un zoológico en Hermosillo, la capital del estado. Ash Ponders para VoxTodos los jaguares que han aparecido en Estados Unidos vinieron del norte de México — de la región donde ahora me encontraba — deslizándose a través de algunas de las secciones del muro fronterizo que aún están abiertas. Cualquier posibilidad que ahora tengan los jaguares de regresar a los Estados Unidos depende de mantener aperturas en el muro fronterizo y una amplia reserva de felinos por el norte de México. Los jaguares sólo pueden restablecerse en su rango de distribución al norte si son lo suficientemente abundantes en México, donde están en peligro de extinción. Como en los Estados Unidos, los ganaderos de Sonora tienen una larga historia matando felinos por su percibida, y en ocasiones real amenaza para su ganado. Si bien la Reserva del Jaguar del Norte ayuda a proteger a los felinos salvajes en Sonora, lo que realmente me trajo a México fue un proyecto para conservar jaguares que se extiende mucho más allá de los límites del parque. Durante muchos años, un pequeño grupo de científicos y defensores han estado trabajando para presentar a los jaguares de Sonora bajo una perspectiva diferente — para convertirlos de villanos hambrientos a importantes actores dentro de un ecosistema, brindando recompensas financieras a los ganaderos. Esta apuesta parece estar dando frutos: la población de jaguares en la reserva y en la región de rancherías a su alrededor parece estable, o hasta parece estar creciendo, brindando esperanza de que la gente pueda vivir en armonía con los depredadores que alguna vez odiaron.Ponte en contacto con nosotros. ¿Tienes noticias o comentarios sobre esta historia? Queremos escucharte. Escribe a Benji Jones a benji.jones@vox.com o en Signal a Benji.90.Se puede decir que la Reserva del Jaguar del Norte está en medio de la nada.Viajé allí el mes pasado con Roberto Wolf, un veterinario que lidera el Northern Jaguar Project (NJP), una organización sin fines de lucro que supervisa el refugio. Después de cruzar la frontera al sur de Tucson, manejamos alrededor de otras cuatro horas hasta un encantador pueblo ganadero llamado Sahuaripa, donde las estrechas calles estaban bordeadas de casas coloridas y llenas de perros callejeros.Las casas de la ciudad de Sahuaripa están pintadas de colores llamativos y suelen tener cruces en sus puertas. Ash Ponders para VoxUn nombre llamado Don Francisco vende tortillas calientes al atardecer en Sahuaripa. Ash Ponders para VoxUna estatua de Jesús con un solo brazo mira al pueblo de Sahuaripa. Me dijeron que el otro brazo se cayó durante una tormenta. Ash Ponders para VoxDesde allí, fueron un par de horas más hasta la reserva, en gran parte por caminos de tierra accidentados. (Me sentí como si estuviéramos en uno de esos comerciales de automóviles todoterreno que solo son útiles en este preciso escenario).Un rato después de entrar a la reserva nos detuvimos junto a un tronco al costado del camino. Estaba cubierto de marcas de arañazos, como el brazo de un sofá en una casa llena de gatos. Eso fue obra de un puma marcando su territorio, dijo Gómez Ramírez, quien nos recibió en el parque. Señaló hacia una cámara con sensores de movimiento que previamente había capturado el comportamiento. Justo antes de llegar a nuestro campamento, un zorrillo cruzó frente al coche, se paró en sus dos patas delanteras, y luego desapareció entre los matorrales. La mañana siguiente, sin nubes y fresca, caminamos hasta La Hielería, el lugar donde la cámara de rastreo había detectado recientemente al Guapo. Sombras de alas se cruzaron en nuestro camino, proyectadas por buitres que buscaban un cadáver.En el camino de Arizona a Sahuaripa cruzamos el Río Yaqui, al oeste de la Reserva del Jaguar del Norte. Atraviesa las faldas de las montañas de la Sierra Madre Occidental. Ash Ponders para VoxDocenas de cámaras de rastreo con sensores de movimiento están repartidas por la reserva. Aquí, la pantalla muestra a un puma que caminó por ahí algunos días antes. Ash Ponders para VoxLa Hielería solía ser parte de un rancho de ganado, y tiene un lugar importante en la conservación de felinos. A finales de 1990, cuando los jaguares estaban reapareciendo en los Estados Unidos, un equipo de investigadores comenzó a explorar el norte de México para averiguar de dónde venían. Como parte de ese trabajo, el biólogo Gustavo Lorenzana Piña instaló una cámara con sensores de movimiento junto al lecho de un arroyo en La Hielería. La cámara capturó, como era de esperar, vaca tras vaca tras vaca. Pero Lorenzana siguió haciendo clic y lo vio: un jaguar, “el amo y señor de las selvas neotropicales, en una hermosa postal con matorrales y cactus de fondo”, dijo. La imagen, tomada a principios del 2000, fue la primera fotografía de un jaguar vivo en Sonora. Era una hembra a quien después llamarían Gus, en honor a Gustavo.La primera foto de un jaguar vivo tomada en Sonora. GP Lorenzana/CA López-GonzálezSu historia terminó — como la mayoría de los cuentos sobre jaguares — en manos de los humanos. El animal fue perseguido y asesinado por supuestamente haber lastimado al ganado, me dijo Lorenzana. Aunque es técnicamente ilegal matar jaguares en México, cazarlos por causar daño real o imaginado al ganado fue una práctica común en el pasado. Y sigue siendo una amenaza hoy en día. A finales del siglo XX, se mataban en promedio al menos cinco animales al año en el estado, según el libro Tigres de la Frontera de David Brown y el co-fundador de NJP, Carlos López González.Un hombre que conocí de unos 70 años me dijo que había matado a seis jaguares en un rancho que ahora forma parte de la reserva. (Generalmente usaba perros para rastrear a los felinos y perseguirlos hasta una cueva o un árbol. Luego les disparaba.) Los propietarios de ranchos pagaban alrededor de 5.000 pesos por cada jaguar sacrificado. Heraclio “Laco” Duarte Robles mató a varios jaguares cuando trabajaba para un rancho que ahora es parte de la reserva. Ahora Laco es empleado del Northern Jaguar Project, donde ayuda a mantener a los felinos en vida. Ash Ponders para VoxLos jaguares ocasionalmente matan becerros, aunque prefieren alimentarse de presas salvajes, como venados o pecaríes, un pequeño y feroz animal que se parece a un cerdo. En Sonora, cada jaguar o puma podría matar algunos becerros al año, lo que normalmente equivale a sólo una fracción de la producción de un ganadero.Aunque Gus estuvo del lado perdedor de los encuentros entre ganaderos y felinos, dejó un legado de conservación duradero. Después de aparecer en una cámara de rastreo en La Hielería, ayudó a demostrar que Sonora era el hogar de una población reproductora de jaguares. Esto impulsó un esfuerzo por comprar ranchos, incluyendo a La Hielería, para convertirlos en una reserva. NJP compró su primer rancho en 2003 y desde entonces ha agregado varios más. En conjunto, cubren más de 22.900 hectáreas.Hoy la Reserva del Jaguar del Norte tiene una población pequeña pero saludable de cinco o seis jaguares, según Carmina Gutiérrez González, bióloga del NJP. Las cámaras con sensores de movimiento han detectado alrededor de 10 jaguares pasando por la región, dijo Gutiérrez González, quien identifica a los individuos por sus patrones de manchas únicos.Nuestro único encuentro con un jaguar fue en el Centro Ecológico de Sonora, un zoológico a día y medio manejando desde la reserva. Ash Ponders para VoxDespués de ver al Guapo en la cámara de La Hielería deambulé por el arroyo seco y tropecé con un montón de heces. Heces de jaguar, sospechaba Gómez Ramírez. Nunca en mi vida me había emocionado tanto encontrar un montón de caca. Personas como Gómez Ramírez, quienes han pasado más de una década en la reserva, nunca han visto jaguares cara a cara. Mi probabilidad era casi nula. Entonces me conformé con ver caca.La reserva es esencial aunque insuficiente — es relativamente pequeña y cubre menos del 3 por ciento del área de Yellowstone, por ejemplo. Mientras tanto, los jaguares en Sonora tienen áreas de distribución increíblemente grandes y pueden viajar hasta 16 km por día, dijo Gómez Ramírez.Protegerlos en un área pequeña no es suficiente en una región donde todavía hay caza. Así que el Proyecto Jaguar del Norte tuvo que encontrar otra solución.Una mañana después de algunas noches en la reserva, manejamos a un rancho ganadero un poco más allá del límite. Estacionamos nuestra polvorienta 4Runner junto a un puñado de vacas y sus becerros, quienes se congelaron y nos miraron como si nunca antes hubieran visto humanos.Uriel Villarreal Peña en su rancho, Saucito, cerca de la Northern Jaguar Reserve. Ash Ponders para VoxUn ganadero llamado Uriel Villarreal Peña, dueño de la propiedad, salió a recibirnos, seguido por dos perros. Mientras nos sentábamos alrededor de su mesa al aire libre bajo la sombra de un techo de lámina, nos dijo que tiene un poco más de 100 animales de ganado. Cada uno tiene un valor de varios cientos de dólares y los vende en Sahuaripa para exportarlos a Estados Unidos.Durante más de una década, Villarreal Peña, quien vestía con gorra de béisbol, jeans y camisa con botones, ha sido parte de un programa llamado Viviendo con Felinos. El programa, lanzado por NJP en 2007, trabaja con ganaderos para colocar cámaras con sensores de movimiento en sus terrenos. Cuando esas cámaras detectan a un felino salvaje — un jaguar, un puma, un ocelote o un gato montés — la ONG le paga al ganadero con un fondo común de recursos que ha recaudado a través de donantes. La idea, me dijo Wolf, es “hacer que los animales salvajes vivos sean más valiosos que los muertos”.Las fotos de jaguares valen 5.000 pesos cada una — similar a lo que los cazadores podrían ganar matándolos. Las fotos de ocelotes generan alrededor de 1.500, las de pumas 1.000 y las de gato montés 500 pesos. Cada ganadero puede ganar un máximo de aproximadamente 20.000 pesos al mes por sus fotos — más del doble del salario mínimo mensual en México. Al unirse a Viviendo con Felinos, los ganaderos también se comprometen a no matar ningún animal salvaje en su rancho, incluyendo venados y jabalíes. Roberto Wolf descansa por un momento durante nuestra caminata en La Hielería. Ash Ponders para Vox(México tiene otro programa, no relacionado, dirigido por la Confederación Nacional de Organizaciones Ganaderas que reembolsa parcialmente a los ganaderos por ganado que haya sido matado por depredadores salvajes. Los ganaderos se quejan de que estos fondos, que también están destinados a reducir la caza, son de difícil acceso e inadecuados).Villarreal Peña me dijo que se unió al programa NJP en parte por el dinero. Las fotografías de felinos tomadas en su rancho le hacen ganar unos cuantos miles de dólares cada año, dijo, lo que representa entre el 10 y el 15 por ciento de sus ingresos anuales. Pero también le gustan los jaguares. “Me interesa ver animales, conservarlos porque se ven bonitos”, dijo. El hecho de que los jaguares no le hayan causado muchos problemas ayuda. Cuando era joven, Villarreal Peña pensaba que los felinos salvajes eran malos porque comían ganado, el medio de vida de los ganaderos. Pero con el tiempo aprendió que los depredadores evitarán a los becerros siempre que tengan suficientes venados y jabalíes para comer. Después de probar un poco de la bacanora casera de Villarreal Peña, un licor a base de agave similar al mezcal —¡Mi trabajo es duro, lo juro! — Villarreal Peña nos llevó a ver una de sus cámaras con sensores de movimiento. Estaba “cerca”, aunque llegar allí implicaba un corto viaje en auto, una caminata de media hora bajo el sol y un encuentro con un correcaminos, un pájaro terrestre de aspecto maníaco que siempre parece tener prisa.Wolf y Heraclio “Laqui” Duarte López, técnico de campo de NJP, nos muestran un mapa en un mirador camino a la reserva. Ash Ponders para VoxLa caminata a la reserva te lleva por piedras volcánicas y matorrales, típicamente bajo extremo calor. Ash Ponders para VoxEl cráneo de un ganado en las afueras del rancho de Villarreal Peña. Ash Ponders para VoxUn papamoscas bermellón cruza el Aros River en la reserva. Ash Ponders para VoxAtada a un poste de madera, la cámara era de plástico, pintada de camuflaje y aproximadamente del tamaño de un ladrillo. La abrimos y vimos las fotos más recientes. Yo acercándome. Conejo. Venado. Zorro. Una criatura parecida a un mapache llamada cacomixtle. Coatí. Ocelote. Pecarí. Pecarí. Pecarí. Pecarí. Pecarí.Y más pecaríes. Le pregunté a Villarreal Peña qué piensa cuando ve un felino salvaje en la cámara. “¡1,500!”, bromeó, refiriéndose al dinero en pesos mexicanos que gana con cada fotografía de un ocelote. Luego añadió, más seriamente: “Se siente bonito poder decir que sí hay.”Hasta la fecha, 21 ganaderos cerca de la reserva se han unido a Viviendo con Felinos. Y en conjunto, su terreno comprende 50.990 hectáreas, un área de más del doble del tamaño de la reserva. De hecho, el programa ha ampliado el área de protección de los jaguares y sus presas. Además, es tan popular entre los ganaderos que en realidad hay una lista de espera informal para unirse, dijo Wolf.NJP ha estado ampliando lentamente el programa, pero agregar más ranchos — y todas las fotografías que puedan tomar— es costoso, señaló Wolf. Entre el otoño de 2023 y el otoño de 2024, NJP gastó más de 2 millones de pesos (alrededor de $107.000) sólo en premios de fotografía. Eso no incluye el tiempo del personal ni el costo de las cámaras de alrededor de 2.900 pesos (o $150) cada una. Y esas cámaras necesitan ser reemplazadas frecuentemente porque, entre todas las cosas, los pájaros carpinteros ocasionalmente destrozan los lentes y los sensores, me dijo Gómez Ramírez.Viviendo con Felinos has ha dado más espacio a los jaguares para moverse en Sonora, y eso por sí solo es algo enorme. Pero estos animales icónicos también se están beneficiando de un cambio más fundamental en la región — un cambio de cultura y de costumbres. Después de nuestra visita con Villarreal Peña, nos detuvimos en la propiedad de su vecino, un gran rancho que le pertenece a Agustín Hurtado Aguayo. Hurtado Aguayo, ahora de unos 80 años, es el ex-presidente de la asociación ganadera del estado y una figura importante en la comunidad ganadera de Sonora. Hace varios años “detestaba a los felinos”, me dijo Hurtado Aguayo en su casa de la ciudad de Hermosillo, capital de Sonora, a unas horas al oeste de Sahuaripa. En la pared colgaban sombreros de vaquero y un par de cuernos de toro. “Tenía muy mala imagen de ellos”, dijo.Agustín Hurtado Aguayo en su casa de Hermosillo. Ash Ponders para VoxFotos sobre la vida del rancho y un cuerno largo de toro de cuelgan en la pared de la casa de Hurtado Aguayo. Ash Ponders para VoxCazar felinos salvajes era una práctica que las antiguas generaciones transmitían, dijo, y surgía de la creencia de que los felinos dañaban a la producción. “Esa es la formación que teníamos”, me dijo. También era normal que los ganaderos cazaran y comieran venados, dijo, lo que disminuía una importante fuente de alimento para los depredadores.Tras unirse a Viviendo con Felinos, Hurtado sintió curiosidad por el programa porque le gustaban las fotos de felinos del rancho de su vecino. “Al comenzar a ver las fotos que tomaban las cámaras comencé a apreciar los animales”, dijo, mostrándome a un puma de fondo de pantalla en su iPhone. “Poco a poco comenzó a cambiar mi visión del felino”.Hurtado Aguayo, quien luego también se sumó al programa, se dio cuenta de que al limitar el número de ganado en su rancho, sus vacas estarían más sanas y sobraría más pasto para los venados. Si tenía más venados —y sus trabajadores se abstenían de cazarlos—, los felinos salvajes matarían menos animales. Estas ideas son cada vez más comunes entre los ganaderos que se han sumado al programa en Sonora. “Si nosotros como ganaderos o como dueños de un predio conservamos la cadena alimenticia normal, no tenemos problema”, dijo José de la Cruz Coronado Aguayo, otro ganadero de Viviendo con Felinos. Existen otras maneras de proteger al ganado de los depredadores, como asegurarse de que los becerros no anden solos por las montañas. En otras regiones del mundo, la instalación de elementos disuasorios como cercas eléctricas, alarmas y luces intermitentes, también son una opción eficaz para prevenir la depredación.“Realmente los felinos pueden convivir con el ganado”, me dijo Hurtado Aguayo.La reserva está rodeada de ranchos de ganado que en su mayoría venden becerros de carne. Ash Ponders para VoxEstá claro que las fotografías de jaguares pueden hacer que alguien se enamore de los felinos. Esto no explica cómo ganaderos como Hurtado Aguayo aprendieron a criar ganado de tal manera que protegen tanto a los felinos como al ganado. Wolf, de NJP, dice que a menudo todo se reduce a las experiencias individuales. Los ganaderos aprenden con el tiempo que al dejar a los venados o al crear nuevas fuentes de agua para los animales, se pierde menos ganado. Lo que también es crucial, dijo, es que al ganar dinero con fotografías de felinos, las personas en el programa se vuelven más tolerantes con su presencia — y más abiertas a comprometerse y encontrar formas de vivir con ellos.Antes de salir de su casa, Hurtado Aguayo sacó su laptop y nos mostró fotos de las cámaras de vigilancia de su rancho. Eran espectaculares: un puma, cerca de la cámara y con cara de sorpresa. Un ocelote con lo que parece un ratón en su boca. Y varios jaguares, incluyendo la imagen de abajo, tomada en 2023, que tenía guardada en su fondo de escritorio. 1/3Fotos tomadas por cámaras trampa en el rancho de Hurtado Aguayo. Northern Jaguar ProjectNo todos en Sonora aman de repente a los felinos. Los ganaderos todavía culpan a los jaguares cuando sus becerros desaparecen o aparecen muertos. Y es probable que todavía maten a jaguares discretamente. Un ganadero que no forma parte de Viviendo con Felinos me dijo que desde noviembre ha perdido más de una docena de sus becerros y sospecha que los felinos están detrás del daño. Él dice que la reserva debería estar cercada para beneficio de los ganaderos. (No hay evidencia de que los pumas o los jaguares mataran a sus becerros, dijo Wolf).La tensión en la región se desbordó a principios de este año, cuando aparentemente un puma entró a una casa donde un trabajador de rancho se estaba quedando y atacó a su perro. El trabajador, un hombre llamado Ricardo Vázquez Paredes, dice que golpeó al felino con un tubo y el puma se escapó, no sin antes herir a su perro, Blaki. Si bien Wolf y algunos de los otros ganaderos con los que hablé sospechan que su relato podría ser exagerado —es raro que los pumas se acerquen a viviendas humanas— la historia generó preocupaciones en Sahuaripa sobre los jaguares y los esfuerzos para protegerlos.El cambio climático también podría empeorar los conflictos en la región. Los ganaderos con los que hablé dicen que Sonora está cada vez más seco, lo que significa que habrá cada vez menos pastizal para el ganado y para animales como los venados que son el alimento de los felinos salvajes. Esto podría hacer que las vacas sean más débiles y más propensas a morir de hambre y los jaguares estén más hambrientos y más propensos a atacar. La investigación sugiere que los jaguares matan más becerros cuando está seco. En 2023, un ganadero de Viviendo con Felinos llamado Diego Ezrre Romero perdió un becerro a manos de un jaguar. “Lo más crítico en el rancho que tengo es el agua”, me dijo Ezrre Romero. “Hay poco venado por las condiciones”.Diego Ezrre Romero, un ranchero del programa de Viviendo con Felinos, en el verdoso patio de su casa en Sahuaripa. Ash Ponders para VoxEl conflicto en Sonora no está a punto de resolverse del todo. Sin embargo, está claro que Viviendo con Felinos está ayudando. Junto con otros esfuerzos de NJP para involucrar a la comunidad — programas educativos, por ejemplo, y pinturas de murales que representan a los felinos icónicos en Sahuaripa y otras ciudades — el grupo está haciendo que los ganaderos en el territorio de los jaguares sean más tolerantes con los felinos. Y gracias a los pagos, está ayudando a que se vuelvan más tolerantes a las pérdidas que estos puedan ocasionar. “Sin ellos [NJP] ahorita no hubiera ni un jaguar aquí”, dijo Fausto Lorenzo, un ganadero cerca de Sahuaripa que no está afiliado a la reserva. “Ya se lo hubieran matado todos los rancheros porque esa era la costumbre”.Desde la casa de Hurtado Aguayo en Hermosillo, manejamos de regreso a Arizona. La carretera atravesaba campos de cactus saguaro. Los remolinos de polvo giraban a la distancia, moviéndose a través del matorral.El sol se acuesta detrás de las montañas de la Sierra Madre Occidental cerca de la reserva. Ash Ponders para VoxEl éxito que el NJP ha tenido en México es a fin de cuentas un buen augurio para los esfuerzos por restaurar los jaguares en Estados Unidos. El número de jaguares en la reserva es estable, dice Gutiérrez, pero las cámaras con sensores de movimiento sugieren que año tras año más individuos pasan por la región. Se trata de más individuos que potencialmente podrían llegar a los Estados Unidos.Pero persiste un gran problema. A medida que nos acercábamos a la frontera, el muro apareció ante nosotros. Era de metal y de color café y se elevaba 5 metros sobre el desierto. Extendiéndose cientos de kilómetros a través de la frontera de Arizona y Nuevo México, el muro ha hecho que la frontera sea en gran medida impasable para la vida silvestre, incluidos los jaguares. Y continúa expandiéndose. Actualmente, la administración de Trump está planeando completar una de las últimas secciones no amuralladas de la frontera, una brecha de 40 km en San Rafael Valley, alrededor de 240 km al noroeste del refugio, donde los jaguares han cruzado a los Estados Unidos.El futuro de los jaguares de Sonora parece prometedor independientemente de si Trump termina su muro. NJP y otras organizaciones han dado más espacio a estos animales y han erosionado las amenazas más severas.La verdadera pérdida se sentirá en los Estados Unidos, y no sólo entre los ambientalistas. Los jaguares han vivido en Estados Unidos desde mucho antes que nosotros. Son parte del patrimonio natural del país — de ecosistemas verdaderamente estadounidenses — y su ausencia perjudicaría nuestros paisajes. Los ganaderos en Sonora nos enseñan que podemos convivir con los grandes depredadores del continente. Sólo tenemos que elegir hacerlo.See More:

Solar Panels | © Uitbundig via Unsplash Have you ever wondered how to power your home without relying on the traditional utility grid? Off-grid solar power systems offer a fascinating solution, allowing you to harness the sun’s energy to meet your electricity needs independently. This approach provides a sense of freedom from rising energy costs and potential outages and aligns with sustainable living practices. In this article, we’ll explore the essential components of an off-grid solar system, such as solar panels, battery storage, charge controllers, and inverters. We’ll also delve into factors that influence the number of panels you need and guide you through calculating your household’s energy requirements. Whether motivated by environmental concerns or simply seeking autonomy, understanding these systems can empower you to make informed decisions about your energy future. Understanding Off-Grid Solar Power Systems According to Sun Valley Solar Solutions experts, when considering an off-grid solar power system, it’s essential to understand its core components and how they work together to provide energy independence. An off-grid solar system allows you to generate and store electricity without relying on the public utility grid. This setup typically includes several key components: solar panels, battery storage, charge controllers, and inverters. Solar panels capture sunlight and convert it into direct current (DC) electricity, which charge controllers then regulate to ensure efficient battery charging. Batteries store the electricity for use during periods when sunlight is insufficient, such as at night or on cloudy days. Inverters play a crucial role by converting the stored DC electricity into alternating current (AC), making it compatible with standard household appliances. One of the significant benefits of an off-grid solar power system is the ability to generate and store your electricity, offering a sense of autonomy and sustainability. By being independent from the public utility grid, you can avoid rising energy costs and potential power outages. Additionally, off-grid systems promote environmental responsibility by utilizing renewable energy sources. The main components work in harmony to ensure a reliable power supply: Solar Panels: Capture sunlight efficiently. Batteries: Store excess energy for later use. Charge Controllers: Prevent battery overcharging. Inverters: Convert DC to AC for home use. This self-sufficient approach reduces your carbon footprint and provides peace of mind, ensuring that your energy needs are met sustainably. Factors Influencing the Number of Solar Panels Needed When planning to run a house off the grid using solar power, several factors come into play that will determine the number of solar panels you’ll need. One of the primary considerations is your household’s energy consumption. It’s essential to understand how much electricity your home uses daily, as this will directly impact the size of your solar array. Typically, an average American household consumes about 30 kWh per day. However, your needs might be lower if you focus on energy efficiency. To get a clearer picture, analyze your electricity bills and calculate your daily kilowatt-hours (kWh) usage. Another critical factor is the amount of sunlight your location receives. This varies significantly depending on geographic location and can influence how many panels are necessary to meet your energy needs. Areas with more peak sunlight hours require fewer panels than regions with less sun exposure. For instance, locations like California or Texas might enjoy up to 5 peak sunlight hours per day, while northern regions may only receive around 3 hours. Additionally, the efficiency of the solar panels you choose plays a vital role in determining their effectiveness. High-efficiency panels can generate more electricity from the same amount of sunlight than their lower-efficiency counterparts. When selecting panels, consider those with higher efficiency ratings to maximize energy production. Calculating Your Household’s Energy Needs Solar panels installed on roof | © Paul Teysen via Unsplash To effectively determine how many solar panels you’ll need for your off-grid home, it’s essential to start by calculating your household’s daily energy consumption. This involves a close examination of your electricity bills. Identify your monthly energy usage, typically measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). Once you have this figure, convert it into a daily average to better understand your energy needs. For instance, if your monthly usage is 900 kWh, divide this number by 30 days to find that your daily consumption is approximately 30 kWh. This step is crucial as it sets the foundation for determining the size of the solar system required to meet your energy demands. Understanding your daily energy consumption helps you plan an efficient off-grid solar power system. Here’s a simple method to follow: Review Your Electricity Bills: Gather several months of electricity bills for an accurate monthly usage average. Calculate Daily Usage: Divide the monthly kWh by the number of days (usually 30) to find your daily consumption. Consider Seasonal Variations: Energy usage can vary with the seasons due to heating or cooling needs. By accurately assessing these figures, you can make informed decisions about the number and type of solar panels needed, ensuring that your off-grid system is practical and reliable. This approach not only aids in achieving energy independence but also contributes to sustainable living practices. Estimating Sunlight Hours in Your Location When planning to set up an off-grid solar power system, understanding your location’s average peak sunlight hours is essential. Peak sunlight hours are when the sun’s intensity is strong enough to produce maximum energy from your solar panels. This measurement is crucial because it directly impacts how much electricity your solar panels can generate daily. For instance, if you live in a region with five peak sunlight hours, your panels will produce energy at full capacity for those 5 hours daily. Knowing this helps you accurately size your solar system to meet your household’s energy needs. You can use several resources and methods to determine your area’s average peak sunlight hours. Here are some suggestions: Online Solar Maps: Websites like the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) offer interactive maps that provide detailed solar radiation data for different regions. Local Weather Stations: Contacting local meteorological stations can give you historical data on sunlight patterns specific to your location. Solar Installers: Consulting with local solar installation companies can provide insights based on their experience and data from previous installations in your area. By utilizing these resources, you can gather accurate information about sunlight availability, ensuring that your off-grid solar power system is efficient and reliable throughout the year. Choosing the Right Solar Panels for Efficiency When considering solar panels for your off-grid system, it’s essential to understand the different types available and their efficiency ratings. Solar panels come in various forms, including monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin film. Each type has its own set of advantages and drawbacks. Monocrystalline panels are known for their high efficiency and sleek appearance, making them a popular choice for those with limited space. On the other hand, polycrystalline panels are generally more affordable but slightly less efficient. Thin-film panels offer flexibility and lightweight options but often require more space due to lower efficiency levels. The efficiency of a solar panel directly impacts how much energy it can generate from sunlight. Higher-efficiency panels convert more sunlight into electricity, crucial for maximizing energy production in an off-grid setup. When selecting panels, consider their efficiency and factors like durability and warranty. Look for panels with a high-efficiency rating that suits your budget and space constraints. Additionally, investing in quality brands known for reliability can ensure long-term performance and peace of mind. Choosing the right solar panels can enhance your system’s overall performance and allow you to enjoy a sustainable energy solution. Step-by-Step Guide to Calculating Solar Panel Requirements Solar panels installation | © Raze via Unsplash When planning to transition your home to an off-grid solar power system, understanding how to calculate the number of solar panels you’ll need is essential. This process begins with a detailed formula that considers your household’s energy consumption, the average sunlight hours in your location, and the wattage of the solar panels you intend to use. To start, determine your daily energy usage by reviewing your electricity bills and converting your monthly consumption into daily kilowatt-hours (kWh). For instance, if your monthly usage is 900 kWh, divide this by 30 days to find a daily consumption of 30 kWh. Next, consider your area’s average peak sunlight hours, which will influence how much energy your panels can generate daily. In regions with about five peak sunlight hours per day, a standard 300-watt panel can produce approximately 1.5 kWh daily. With these figures in mind, you can apply the formula: Total Energy Consumption ÷ (Peak Sunlight Hours × Panel Wattage) = Number of Panels Needed. For example, if your home uses 30 kWh daily and receives 5 hours of sunlight, you would require around 20 panels rated at 300 watts each. Here’s a quick breakdown: Daily Energy Usage: Calculate from monthly bills. Sunlight Hours: Research local averages. Panel Efficiency: Choose high-efficiency panels for better performance. This method ensures a reliable estimate tailored to your needs, helping you make informed decisions about your off-grid solar setup. Cost Considerations for Off-Grid Solar Systems Understanding the cost implications is crucial for effective budgeting when setting up an off-grid solar system. The total expense can vary significantly based on several components and factors. First, consider the cost of solar panels, which typically range from $2.50 to $3.50 per watt. For a standard 6kW system, you might spend between $15,000 and $21,000. Next, battery storage is a vital component of energy independence. Depending on the capacity and technology, such as lithium-ion or lead-acid batteries, prices can range from $5,000 to $15,000. Beyond these essentials, don’t overlook the expenses for inverters and charge controllers, which convert and manage the electricity flow; these can add another $1,000 to $3,000 to your budget. Based on system complexity and local labor rates, installation costs vary from $2,000 to $10,000. If you opt for a backup generator for added security during low sunlight periods, expect to invest an additional $2,000 to $5,000. To manage these costs effectively: Research different suppliers to find competitive pricing. Consider energy-efficient appliances to reduce overall consumption. Plan for future expansions by choosing scalable systems. By carefully evaluating each component’s cost and considering long-term savings on utility bills, you can make informed decisions that align with your financial goals while achieving energy independence. Summary Off-grid solar power systems offer a pathway to energy independence by allowing individuals to generate and store electricity without relying on the public utility grid. These systems comprise several vital components: solar panels, battery storage, charge controllers, and inverters. Solar panels capture sunlight and convert it into direct current (DC) electricity. Charge controllers then regulate this electricity to ensure efficient charging of batteries, which store the energy for use when sunlight is insufficient. Inverters play a crucial role by converting stored DC electricity into alternating current (AC), making it compatible with standard household appliances. Choosing an off-grid solar power system provides numerous benefits, including autonomy from rising energy costs and protection against power outages. Additionally, these systems promote environmental responsibility by utilizing renewable energy sources. The main components work together seamlessly to ensure a reliable power supply: solar panels efficiently capture sunlight, batteries store excess energy for later use, charge controllers prevent battery overcharging, and inverters convert DC to AC for home use. This self-sufficient approach reduces your carbon footprint and offers peace of mind, knowing that your energy needs are met sustainably. Off GridSolar Panels by ArchEyes Team Leave a comment

May 20, 20253 min readWhy Tornado Season Has Been So DestructiveSeveral devastating tornado outbreaks have cut swaths of destruction across the U.S. What’s driving these damaging storms?By Andrea Thompson edited by Dean VisserA U.S. Air Force aerobatic team flies in formation over community members and crews cleaning up debris on May 18, 2025, in the community of Sunshine Hills outside of London, Ky. A tornado struck the neighborhood just after midnight on May 17, 2025. Michael Swensen/Stringer/Getty ImagesNearly 900 tornadoes have torn through more than 30 states so far this year, killing dozens of people, shredding buildings and landscapes across big chunks of the Eastern U.S., and costing billions. The oddly fickle and precise mix of atmospheric ingredients needed to generate tornadoes just happens to have occurred over and over again since mid-March—and the season isn’t over yet.How do tornadoes form?“In order to get a tornado, you need to have a thunderstorm that’s capable of producing a tornado,” says Jana Houser, a tornado researcher at the Ohio State University. Most often, these are what meteorologists call “supercell” thunderstorms, which feature a circulation pattern called a mesocyclone.On supporting science journalismIf you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.Supercell formation requires a set of conditions that make the atmosphere unstable, and these start with warm, moist air at the surface and cold, dry air above. The instability comes from warmer air’s greater buoyancy, which makes it rise upward. And this mix needs yet another specific ingredient, wind shear, “where winds change speed and direction as you go up with height” in the atmosphere, Houser says. This can create sort of a “tube” of horizontally rotating air. Next, the nascent twister needs an updraft, or upward-moving air, which tightens and speeds up the rotating air, taking it “from spinning like a bike tire” to “spinning like a top.”All of these conditions are necessary—but they’re still not always enough. “Most supercells don’t even actually produce tornadoes in their lifetime,” Houser says.The exact mechanics of tornado formation aren’t yet fully understood, but essentially, air rotation at the ground needs to meet a strong updraft aloft; this pulls the rotation in like a figure skater pulling in their arms, as Houser puts it.Where do tornadoes form?Tornadoes can—and do—happen wherever the right conditions are present, from Argentina to Italy to Bangladesh. But the U.S. is by far the leader in the average annual number of these storms. North America’s geography naturally promotes a crucial collision of air masses: juicy air streams northward from the bathtub warmth of the Gulf of Mexico, while cool, dry winds rush eastward over the Rockies. The air masses meet over the center of the country, which is how the region centered around northeastern Texas and Oklahoma came to be called Tornado Alley. “If you were to design a place that would get repeated severe storms, you would build something like the central U.S.,” says Rich Thompson, chief of forecast operations for the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center.But over the past decade or so, that tornado bull’s-eye has changed a bit. A “new Tornado Alley” has emerged about 400 or 500 miles to the east, in part because moist Gulf air is reaching farther east than in the past.Why do tornadoes mainly form in spring?“Spring tends to be the peak because it’s a transitional season,” Houser says. Coming out of winter, there is still abundant cold air at northern latitudes and aloft, and at the same time, the sun is shining much more, heating up the surface air to promote instability.Fall is also a transitional season, but the air aloft remains generally warmer for some time after summer. Tornado activity doesn’t tend to pick up again until later in the fall, when the atmosphere has cooled down again.The local peaks in tornado occurrence tend to move northward as spring rolls into the summer: the Gulf Coast peaks earlier in the spring, the Southern Plains in May and June, and the Northern Plains and upper Midwest in June and July.The Clear Creek post office lays in rubble after a tornado destroyed it. Several tornadoes hit Greene and Monroe counties in south-central Indiana, leaving a path of destruction.Jeremy Hogan/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/Alamy Stock PhotoWhy has the current tornado season been so active?By mid-May the U.S. has had an estimated 886 tornadoes. “We’re on the upper end of what is typical” at this point, Thompson says. Until this month, the most active periods this year were in mid-March and early April. “Those were the two that really pushed us above what is typical,” he adds.The meanderings of the jet stream—a narrow band of strong winds high in the atmosphere—are part of what determines how active a season becomes. The jet stream “really dictates what kinds of weather we end up getting at the surface,” Houser says. It influences the paths storms take, and it forms the boundaries between warmer and cooler air masses.In the case of this spring, “we just have periodic high-energy systems that are moving through,” Houser says, and they have been very effective at producing severe weather when they occur. “It’s just a matter of getting the ingredients to show up and getting the storms to take advantage of them,” Thompson says.