Monarch Tractor, The Reservoir, CLAAS, Razor Tracking, John Deere, Solinftec, Ecobloom, Aranet, Nature Fresh Farms, Revol Greens, INNOFarms.AI, Veggitech, LI-COR, Ceres Greenhouse Solutions, BDC Capital, Amazon, Arable, Biotalys, Moa Technology and Hylio

Anna: 00:00

Welcome to another episode of AgTech Digest, your go-to source for the latest in agricultural technology. In today's episode, we're diving into the latest developments shaping the future of agriculture. We'll explore autonomous platform expansions and revenue leadership appointments, examine on-farm innovation hubs and strategic partnerships, and look at fleet management integrations and high-value crop autonomy acquisitions. We'll also cover robotics deployments with twenty-four seven operation capabilities and venture fund launches supporting agricultural innovation. There's a lot to cover, so let's get started.

Anna: 00:41

Monarch Tractor has appointed Steve Peck as Chief Revenue Officer to lead sales and expansion with the MonarchOne platform enabling OEMs to deploy scalable autonomy across ag, construction, and off-highway sectors featuring embedded software, energy management, and real-time data intelligence while Monarch is collaborating with OEMs like Ag Growth International to advance connected, autonomous equipment adoption. Moving forward, The Reservoir has launched its first AgTech innovation hub in Salinas, California offering startups access to growers, testing grounds, and pilot opportunities for specialty crops with over two hundred stakeholders attending the launch event and a strategic partnership with John Deere providing residents access to equipment, technology, and pilot programs as the project aims to serve as an Olympic Village of AgTech for collaborative problem-solving. Additionally, CLAAS has partnered with Razor Tracking to deliver joint fleet management solutions allowing users to view assets and equipment in both Razor Tracking and CLAAS connect platforms with data including GPS, fuel levels, engine status, weather overlays, and equipment history supporting more efficient logistics and cost-effective operations for growers. Furthermore, John Deere has completed its acquisition of GUSS Automation, a maker of autonomous sprayers with GUSS systems reducing labor and material waste through remote supervision and Smart Apply integration while over two hundred fifty GUSS units are in operation globally, covering two point six million acres and five hundred thousand autonomous hours strengthening Deere's high-value crop and precision ag portfolio. Moreover, Solinftec is deploying Solix AG Robotics in Kansas, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Texas for twenty twenty-five with new features including Discovery Mode, obstacle detection, and Starlink-enabled connectivity as Solix robots can reduce herbicide use by up to ninety-five percent and deliver real-time agronomic insights while a solar-powered autonomous Refill Station enables continuous, twenty-four seven field operation with future concepts focusing on better traction, structural performance, and operating speed.

Anna: 03:13

In the latest interview, Arthur Erickson from Hylio discussed how the company originally focused on multi-purpose drones but pivoted to agriculture after seeing strong demand from farmers in Central America seeking practical solutions for small, uneven fields with Erickson crediting FAA regulatory clarity since twenty nineteen for unlocking growth in the U.S. where Hylio now conducts the vast majority of its business across key crop types like corn, soybeans, and cotton while Hylio's software emphasizes ease-of-use and its data policy ensures farmers retain full ownership of operational data which Erickson sees as vital to long-term trust as he warns that aggressive pricing by overseas competitors risks undercutting innovation, urging the industry to prioritize sustainable, value-driven progress and looking to twenty thirty, Erickson envisions Hylio as a leader in autonomous drones and AI-powered crop analytics with potential applications beyond agriculture.

Anna: 04:17

Simultaneously, BDC Capital has launched a two hundred million dollar Industrial Innovation Venture Fund II supporting Canadian startups in ag-tech, food-tech, and critical minerals aiming to address productivity gaps and enhance Canada's global competitiveness building on Fund I which supported over twenty companies with measurable productivity gains as Fund II will target technologies including robotics, automation, applied AI, and industrial software. Additionally, Amazon and Arable have launched a water replenishment project in Mississippi aiming to reduce agricultural water withdrawals by one hundred fifty million gallons annually with Arable Mark three sensors powered by Amazon Web Services providing real-time irrigation insights complementing Mississippi State University's Master Irrigator training program and supporting Amazon's broader goal of becoming water-positive by twenty thirty. Furthermore, Biotalys received updated guidance from the U.S. EPA on its protein-based biocontrol product EVOCA with the EPA review ongoing and final steps expected in Q four twenty twenty-five, a timeline later than Biotalys' previously anticipated September decision as EVOCA targets Botrytis and powdery mildew in fruits and vegetables designed for use in spray rotation programs with Biotalys remaining optimistic about approval. Moreover, Moa Technology has discovered new weed control chemistries and amplifier molecules partnering with Gowan Company to develop sustainable herbicide solutions aimed at reducing herbicide usage by enhancing effectiveness with the first amplifier product tied to a specific active ingredient under development and field trials being conducted in Australia and the UK to assess control of major grassweeds.

Anna: 06:16

Moving to controlled environment agriculture updates, Ecobloom has partnered with Aranet to integrate environmental sensors into its EcoSense platform enabling growers to connect existing Aranet infrastructure with Ecobloom's monitoring system merging Aranet's sensor accuracy with Ecobloom's AI-powered insights to deliver actionable data and enhance decision-making in indoor farming emphasizing the balance between human expertise and technology in agriculture. Additionally, Nature Fresh Farms and Revol Greens are launching organic and conventional packaged salads combining Revol Greens' controlled environment agriculture expertise with Nature Fresh Farms' market reach targeting growth in the CEA leafy greens segment as CEA is seen as a platform for innovation and added consumer value in leafy greens with both partners expecting greenhouse-grown leafy greens to become a mainstream market choice. Furthermore, INNOFarms.AI and Veggitech have signed a strategic MoU to develop agtech solutions in the UAE and GCC focusing on creating SmartFarms using hydroponics and digital technologies to support sustainable and intelligent agriculture practices in the Gulf region reflecting broader investment trends in technology-driven farming in the area. Moreover, LI-COR has introduced two new HOBO Data Loggers: the MX two three zero eight and MX two three zero nine with MX two three zero eight monitoring temperature and relative humidity while MX two three zero nine measures solar radiation via a LI-COR pyranometer featuring automated calculations designed for ease of deployment and data retrieval targeting growers, researchers, and agtech professionals focused on precision environmental monitoring. Finally, Ceres Greenhouse Solutions has completed an aquaponic greenhouse for the Forest County Potawatomi tribe with the thirty by seventy-eight foot HighYield Kit greenhouse capable of producing up to seventy-five thousand leafy greens and one thousand pounds of fish annually supporting the Tribal Elder Food Box Program serving twelve tribes across Wisconsin incorporating aquaponic systems from The Aquaponic Source and built to endure harsh winter conditions.

Anna: 08:47

Heifer International concluded its multi-year investments in Grass Roots Farmers’ Cooperative (GRFC) and Cypress Valley Meat Company (CVMC; the latter expanded from three to six facilities, now serving nearly 3,000 farmers across 12 states, while GRFC transitioned to a direct-to-consumer e-commerce model, connecting farmers with customers nationwide. Meanwhile, LeafWorks introduced DNA-based Ingredient Quantification Testing, starting with mushroom blends; this new assay enables brands to verify multi-species product composition with quantitative accuracy, supporting 21 CFR 111 compliance and reducing the risk of costly recalls. Additionally, Origin Agritech began full-scale seed processing for the 2025 season at its fully automated Xinjiang facility, which handles all key steps from cleaning to packaging and benefits from the region’s ideal climate and solar resources. Finally, POET signed an agreement to acquire Green Plains Obion, a bioethanol facility in Tennessee, increasing its annual production capacity by One hundred twenty million gallons and expanding its network to 35 bioprocessing facilities across nine U.S. states.

Anna: 10:14

Looking ahead to upcoming industry events, mark your calendars for Commercial UAV Expo from September 2nd to 4th, 2025 in Las Vegas, USA. Following that, Taiwan Smart Agriweek will take place from September 3rd to 5th, in Taiwan. Then we have Global Vertical Farming Show 2025 from September 10th to 11th, in Dubai, UAE. Additionally, SPACE runs from September 16th to 18th, in France. Don't miss AgraME from October 6th to 7th, in Dubai. Finally, Vertical Farming World Congress takes place from October 7th to 9th, 2025 in Amsterdam.

Anna: 10:58

That wraps up today's episode of AgTech Digest. We explored the latest developments in agricultural technology. From autonomous platform expansions and on-farm innovation hubs to robotics deployments and controlled environment agriculture partnerships, it's clear that the agtech sector is making strides in sustainability and innovation. With significant funding rounds including a two hundred million dollar venture fund and impactful partnerships between major players like John Deere, CLAAS, and numerous agtech innovators, the future of agriculture is shaping up to be smarter and more sustainable than ever before. Thanks for joining me, I'm Anna, signing off. Stay inspired and keep pushing the boundaries of what's possible!