Serra Ventures, BioPrime, Acadian Plant Health, BASF Agricultural Solutions, John Deere, DeLaval, Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA), Topraq, Baird Farm, Farmblox - This Week in AgTech - Ep. 022

Anna: 00:00

Welcome to another episode of AgTech Digest, your go-to source for the latest in agricultural technology. Today, we’ll explore Harnois Greenhouses' solutions for greenhouse-grown berries, offering everything from cost-effective TunnelPro Plus to advanced Luminosa systems, designed to boost yields and extend growing seasons. We’ll also cover major investments, including Serra Ventures raising $22 million for their AgTech fund, UK’s £2.2 million PROBITY Project on precision-bred wheat, and BioPrime's $6 million for sustainable crop protection. Plus, collaborations like Acadian Plant Health and BASF developing climate-resilient crops, and new product launches such as Untether AI’s precision farming tech. Let’s get started

Anna: 00:48

Harnois Greenhouses offers a comprehensive range of greenhouse solutions designed specifically for berry production, providing key advantages over traditional open-field cultivation, such as extended growing seasons, improved crop protection, and higher yields. Their offerings include the cost-effective TunnelPro Plus for open-field systems and the advanced, high-tech Luminosa gutter-connected greenhouses, catering to various grower needs and budgets. With turnkey solutions supported by a team of agronomists and equipment experts, Harnois ensures that growers receive systems tailored to their specific requirements. As technology evolves, greenhouse berry production will continue to be a vital part of sustainable, year-round farming, helping meet rising demands while promoting environmental responsibility.

Anna: 01:34

In the world of AgTech investments, we're seeing significant moves that promise to shape the future of agriculture. Serra AG & FOOD TECH FUND II has recently raised $22 million in initial commitments. Backed by the Illinois Growth & Innovation Fund and Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, the fund is aiming for a total of $100 million. Their focus? Funding early-stage companies that are tackling key agricultural challenges. Moving across the Atlantic, the United Kingdom is making strides in precision breeding. The PROBITY Project, a 2.2 million pound initiative, is underway at the University of Nottingham and partner institutions. Funded by Defra's Farming Innovation Programme and Innovate UK, researchers are trialing precision-bred cereal crops. They're working on wheat with improved baking qualities, barley designed to reduce methane emissions in livestock, and high-yield wheat with larger grains.Meanwhile, in the realm of crop protection, BioPrime has secured $6 million in Series A funding. This investment, led by Edaphon, Omnivore, and Inflexor Ventures, will allow BioPrime to expand its bio-fungicides, bio-insecticides, and biostimulant technologies. The company is setting its sights on North America, Southeast Asia, and Brazil for expansion. These investments highlight the growing importance of innovation in agriculture, from crop breeding to sustainable pest management.

Anna: 02:56

Several notable collaborations in the AgTech sector are making waves in the industry. Acadian Plant Health and BASF Agricultural Solutions have joined forces to develop climate-resilient crop production solutions. This partnership aims to enhance crop yield and quality while promoting sustainable farming practices. By integrating Acadian's biostimulant technology with BASF's chemical and biological products, the collaboration seeks to address the growing challenges faced by farmers due to climate change. In another significant development, John Deere and DeLaval have launched the Milk Sustainability Center, or MSC. This digital ecosystem for dairy farmers integrates agronomic and animal performance data to optimize nutrient use efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions. The MSC provides a holistic data view, combining John Deere's agronomic data with DeLaval's animal systems. This integration helps dairy farmers identify cost-saving opportunities and reduce their environmental impact while meeting sustainability goals and boosting productivity. Lastly, Advancing Eco Agriculture, also known as AEA, has partnered with Turkish precision agtech firm Topraq. This collaboration aims to combine regenerative agriculture practices with precision technology, focusing on Southeast Europe and West and Central Asia - key regions for global food supply. The partnership will work to optimize water, energy, and fertilizer use through data-driven solutions. By integrating Topraq's precision agriculture technology with AEA's expertise in plant nutrition and soil health, the collaboration aims to enhance sustainable farming practices in these critical regions. One key tool in their approach is the Croptix platform, which helps manage crop nutrition and reduce plant disease risks.

Anna: 04:37

In the world of AgTech, several new products have been released, each addressing different aspects of modern farming challenges. Untether AI has introduced the speedAI 240 Slim, a solution designed specifically for precision farming tasks. This AI-powered tool offers capabilities for crop monitoring, pest detection, and irrigation management. What sets it apart is its edge-optimized approach, which makes it more scalable than traditional GPU-based systems. This means farmers can potentially reduce the need for multiple GPUs, ultimately lowering operational costs in their farming systems. Moving to crop protection, FMC has launched Ambriva herbicide in India. This new product targets Phalaris minor, a problematic weed in wheat fields. Ambriva combines Isoflex active with Metribuzin for post-emergence weed control. It's particularly effective against herbicide-resistant Phalaris minor and other grass weeds, and has been rigorously tested under Indian agricultural conditions. In the realm of data-driven farming, Concept Reply and DKE-Data have released agrirouter 2.0. This updated platform aims to improve machinery integration and data access for optimized farming processes. It supports precision farming, resource planning, and yield optimization by integrating with machinery from various manufacturers for seamless data exchange. The platform provides telemetry, GPS, and data-driven decision-making tools to help farmers make more informed choices. Lastly, Oxipital AI has showcased its Visual AI platform at the Global Produce and Floral Show. This technology is set to revolutionize quality control in produce production. The platform offers real-time, high-speed detection, measurement, and classification of defects. It operates across all stages of production, enabling 100% item inspection. Furthermore, it provides actionable insights with both real-time and historical production data, allowing producers to maintain consistent quality standards. These new products demonstrate the ongoing innovation in the AgTech sector, offering farmers and producers new tools to increase efficiency, sustainability, and product quality.

Anna: 06:42

Baird Farm in Vermont has partnered with automation systems provider Farmblox to bring modern technology to the traditional process of maple syrup production. This collaboration began when Nathan Rosenberg, CEO of Farmblox, visited Baird Farm and identified opportunities to streamline operations through automation. Jacob Powsner, co-owner of Baird Farm, recognized the immediate benefits this technology could bring to their labor-intensive production process. By integrating automation systems, Baird Farm aims to reduce manual tasks and increase efficiency in their maple syrup operations. This partnership serves as an example of how technological solutions can be applied to even the most traditional farming sectors. As we see automation making its way into maple syrup production, it opens up possibilities for similar advancements in other areas of agriculture that have long relied on manual processes.

Anna: 07:32

In other AgTech news, several companies have made significant announcements. Biotalys, a company specializing in protein-based biocontrol solutions, has appointed Kamal El Mernissi as their new Chief Business Development Officer. The CEO of Biotalys, Kevin Helash, expressed enthusiasm about El Mernissi joining the team, highlighting the potential of their sustainable crop protection solutions. Meanwhile, Corteva, a global agricultural company, has announced that Judd O'Connor will become the Executive Vice President of their Seed Business Unit, effective December 1, 2024. Corteva's CEO, Chuck Magro, cited O'Connor's operational expertise and focus on innovation as key factors in his appointment. In product news, Verdant Technologies has received approval from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation for their HarvestHold Fresh technology. This solution uses 1-methylcyclopropene to extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables, potentially reducing food waste. Little Leaf Farms, a leading U.S. packaged lettuce brand, is expanding its operations in Pennsylvania. The company has opened a third greenhouse at its McAdoo campus and is constructing a fourth. By fall 2025, Little Leaf Farms aims to have 20 acres of greenhouse space operational at this location. Lastly, ProducePay, an AgTech company focused on produce supply chain solutions, has released its Fresh Produce Industry Volatility Report. The report highlights pricing instability as the top concern in the industry, revealing that the global produce sector experienced an annualized volatility rate of 70% in 2023.

Anna: 09:07

Before we wrap up, let's look at some upcoming events in the AgTech calendar. Mark your diaries for World Agri-Tech Mexico, taking place on October 29th and 30th, 2024. Following that, the REAP Conference 2024 is set for November 6th in Newmarket, UK. From November 12th to 15th, the Inhouse Farming Feed & Food Show will be held in Hanover. The AgriNext Conference is scheduled for November 13th and 14th in Dubai, UAE. Lastly, don't miss the Asia-Pacific Agri-Food Innovation Summit from November 19th to 21st, 2024. These events offer excellent opportunities to stay updated on the latest trends and innovations in agricultural technology.

Anna: 09:48

This concludes our update on the latest developments in AgTech. We've covered a wide range of topics, from greenhouse solutions for berry production to significant investments in the sector. We've also explored new collaborations, product releases, and the integration of automation in traditional farming practices. The AgTech industry continues to evolve rapidly, bringing innovative solutions to address challenges in agriculture and food production. Stay tuned for more news and innovations in agricultural technology. I'm Anna, signing off, stay inspired and keep pushing the boundaries of what's possible!