Lincoln, NE and Kearney, NE, February 2026
Chief Agri, a division of Chief Industries, Inc., and a global leader in grain bin and grain storage solutions, announced a collaboration with Nebraska-based RealmFive to deliver a new generation of smart bin technology designed to meet the evolving needs of both farmer-owned and commercial grain storage operations.
Grain operators managing storage across multiple sites face a persistent challenge: temperature cables alone don’t detect spoilage risk early enough, and traditional monitoring creates work without reducing risk. Chief Agri set out to solve this with a fundamentally different approach to bin management, integrated at the factory rather than bolted on after the fact. The goal was to deliver a more flexible approach to bin management that could scale across domestic and international markets while providing deeper insight into grain condition, storage risk, and inventory accuracy.
Working closely together, Chief Agri and RealmFive developed a novel bin solution that moves beyond conventional monitoring methods. The system detects grain quality issues and spoilage risk earlier and more accurately through CO₂ monitoring, odor sensing, and inventory visibility. It monitors both bin headspace and the area beneath the grain mass, delivering a more complete and accurate view of storage conditions than temperature-only systems.
The solution automates Chief aeration fans using RealmFive’s proprietary fan technology. RealmFive’s base fan control system is a mature, field-proven solution already deployed at numerous commercial grain sites. It brings automated, condition-based aeration control that operators trust today, now extended into Chief Red Connect as a fully integrated component of the Smart Bin system. By leveraging RealmFive’s proven control logic and wireless architecture, the system intelligently manages aeration based on current bin conditions, helping protect grain quality, reduce energy consumption, and eliminate manual intervention.
The system also includes technology that eliminates the need for traditional temperature cables entirely. Instead of relying on single-point readings embedded in the grain mass, the Smart Fan uses environmental and condition data from multiple zones within the bin to automate aeration based on validated patterns over time. The result: better grain protection, reduced fan runtime, and aeration control that reflects actual storage conditions rather than cable limitations.
All data visualization and control are powered by RealmFive’s SMARTSITES platform, giving Chief Agri customers immediate access to bin data, validated alerts, and controls directly from their mobile devices. Offered through Chief Agri’s new Red Connect product line, Chief customers can remotely view and manage bins while maintaining a consistent and intuitive experience across farm and commercial operations of any size.
“This collaboration allowed us to rethink what smart bin technology should be,” said Mark Kjar, President and General Manager of Chief Agri. “By moving beyond temperature cables and integrating new sensing and control capabilities, we are delivering a solution that better reflects how grain is actually stored and managed today.”
The Chief Red Connect Smart Bin solution is designed to serve a wide range of customers, from individual producers to large commercial operators, with a scalable architecture that supports global deployment and long-term expansion.
“Chief Agri has always focused on building storage solutions that perform in the real world, not just on paper,” said Mark Kjar. “When we set out to develop a smart bin platform that did not rely on traditional temperature cables, we needed a technology partner that could think differently. RealmFive brought deep expertise in wireless sensing, automation, and data systems, and together we created Chief Red Connect, a solution that delivers real insight, control, and value to our customers.”
“Chief Agri set out to move beyond temperature-cable-based monitoring and build a more intelligent and scalable foundation for grain storage,” said Steve Tippery, CEO of RealmFive. “RealmFive brought a validated sensing architecture, mature automation logic, and a wireless platform already operating across commercial grain facilities. Together, we integrated that capability directly into Chief’s storage systems to deliver a unified solution that detects risk earlier, automates aeration intelligently, and provides operators with a higher level of control and accountability. This is not an add-on technology. It is engineered into the Chief bin from the start.”
“As we work with customers across international markets, flexibility and scalability are critical,” said Travys Woodside, Vice President of International Sales at Chief Agri. “Chief Red Connect gives our global customers a modern monitoring and control platform that works for both farm and commercial bins, regardless of geography. Partnering with RealmFive allows us to meet global expectations while keeping the system intuitive for operators in the field.”
The new Chief Red Connect product line will be officially launched at GEAPS Exchange 2026 in Kansas City this February. The solution will be on display at Booth #3018.
“What makes this collaboration special is that it starts at home,” said Shad Singleton, Chief Agri North America Sales Manager. “Both Chief Agri and RealmFive are Nebraska companies, and we came together to solve real problems faced by Nebraska farmers first. That same solution now scales to customers across the country and around the world. Chief Red Connect gives our customers better visibility, better control, and more confidence in how they manage grain.”
Nebraska Collaboration and Product Positioning
Both Chief Agri and RealmFive are Nebraska-based companies that chose to work together to address real-world challenges in grain storage, starting with local producers and extending to customers across other states and international markets. Chief Red Connect is a newly introduced trademark of Chief Agri and represents its advanced Smart Bin solution, powered by RealmFive’s SMARTSITES platform. The result is a modern, cable-free approach to bin monitoring, automation, and control delivered through a single, mobile-accessible system built for today’s grain storage demands.
About RealmFive
RealmFive enables autonomous operations for distributed agribusinesses. Headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska, the company builds purpose-built hardware and the SMARTSITES platform to deliver facilities that manage themselves. Solutions across grain and agronomy help cooperatives, ag retailers, grain companies, and processors manage more sites without proportional headcount increases. One partner, complete accountability. Made in Nebraska, built for ag.
About Chief Agri
Chief Agri is a division of Chief Industries and a global leader in the design and manufacture of grain bins and grain storage systems. Serving agricultural producers, cooperatives, and commercial grain operators worldwide, Chief Agri is known for engineering-driven solutions that deliver durability, performance, and long-term value. With a broad portfolio spanning farm bins, commercial storage systems, handling equipment, and integrated storage solutions, Chief Agri supports customers across domestic and international markets. Backed by decades of manufacturing expertise and a commitment to continuous innovation, Chief Agri focuses on solving real-world storage challenges and helping customers protect grain quality, improve operational efficiency, and maximize the value of their stored grain.