xFarm Technologies, Proteine Resources, Greeneration, AcreShield, Blue Radix, GrowDirector & Soli Organic - This Week in AgTech

Anna: 00:00

Welcome to another episode of AgTech Digest, your go-to source for the latest breakthroughs in agricultural technology. I’m your host, Anna. Today, we’ll dive into Harnois Greenhouses’ Vermax, an innovative energy-efficient greenhouse system designed to reduce energy consumption and help lower greenhouse gas emissions, all while optimizing year-round growing conditions. We’ll also cover this week’s major investments, including xFarm Technologies’ impressive £36 million Series C funding to expand their AI-driven smart farming solutions, and Proteine Resources securing 1.36 six million

Anna: 00:49

Harnois Greenhouses has recently unveiled Vermax, a new energy-efficient glass greenhouse that's making waves in the agricultural industry. This innovative design is set to revolutionize how we approach sustainable farming practices. Vermax utilizes patented energy-saving technologies to create a semi-enclosed system that efficiently controls the internal climate. This design allows growers to maintain optimal growing conditions throughout the year while significantly reducing energy consumption. One of the most impressive features of Vermax is its potential to lower greenhouse gas emissions. It's estimated that this system can reduce emissions by nearly 2,000 tonnes annually, making a substantial contribution to environmental sustainability. What sets Vermax apart is its ability to achieve these environmental benefits without compromising productivity. This balance is crucial for growers who need to meet increasing demand while also addressing rising energy costs and environmental concerns.Harnois Greenhouses sees Vermax as a step towards their ultimate vision of developing the first-ever net-zero glass greenhouse, showcasing their commitment to pushing the boundaries of energy efficiency in agriculture.

Anna: 01:57

In the world of agricultural technology, recent investments have been pouring in across various sectors. xFarm Technologies has raised 36 million euros in a Series C funding round, led by Partech's Impact fund. This investment will allow xFarm to double its European presence and expand into new markets in Latin America, India, Turkey, and the United States. The company plans to focus on AI, regenerative agriculture, and FinTech services, strengthening its position as a leading player in smart farming solutions. Additionally, Proteine Resources has secured 1.36 six million euros to scale its sustainable insect protein production. The company aims to reach a revenue target of 62 million euros by 2030, leveraging the high protein content of insects, which contain up to 70% protein and significantly more essential amino acids than its competitors, with plans to open its first AI-driven breeding facility by 2025. Also, Future Food Foundry has invested in Greeneration, a Dubai-based vertical farm. This investment will help Greeneration transition from premium greens to health-focused products, including superfoods, adaptogens, and medical herbs. The goal is to promote health and sustainability while reducing the UAE's reliance on imports, with Greeneration set to launch sub-brands under a "longevity platform." AcreShield has raised 2.5 million dollars for its AI-powered Yield Optimizer platform from lead investor Vertical Ventures Inc. This technology addresses the billion-dollar agriculture market and aims to help U.S. farmers close the Yield Gap, offering payouts of up to 100 dollars per acre if yields fall within this gap. Lastly, Blue Radix has secured 5 million euros from investors Navus Ventures and Horticoop to scale its autonomous greenhouse technology. Their AI-powered Crop Controller, which automates climate and irrigation in greenhouses, is already implemented in nearly 100 greenhouses globally. This funding will help Blue Radix expand its commercial growth and increase yields while cutting energy costs in the face of industry challenges.

Anna: 04:00

In the world of AgTech, strategic partnerships and acquisitions are shaping the future of agriculture. BLOOM FRESH has recently acquired Inka's Berries, a Peru-based company known for its no-chill blueberry breeds. This acquisition expands BLOOM FRESH's fruit breeding portfolio, adding varieties like Abril Blue+ and Alessia Blue+. The move aims to develop blueberry varieties adaptable to warm climates, contributing to global food security through natural breeding methods. Netafim, a leader in precision agriculture, has partnered with irrigation tech company Phytech. This collaboration integrates Phytech's mobile platform into Netafim's GrowSphere, offering real-time crop health and irrigation insights. The partnership leverages predictive algorithms to provide precise water and fertilizer recommendations, reducing waste and improving operational efficiency for growers. In another significant partnership, CIBO Technologies has joined forces with Scoular to enhance data collection on regenerative agriculture practices. This collaboration aims to help biofuel producers qualify for tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act. By improving data capture, Scoular's farmers can better access incentives while enhancing sustainability and regulatory compliance.

Moving on to another exciting collaboration, CH4 Global has teamed up with marine botanist Dr. Jennifer Smith to develop Methane Tamer, a livestock feed supplement designed to cut methane emissions—a potent greenhouse gas. They're building the world’s largest Asparagopsis cultivation facility in Australia, aiming to scale the farming of this seaweed globally and produce low-methane beef and dairy. VOLTZ Vertical Farming and Gautier Semences have introduced seven new lettuce varieties optimized for indoor and vertical farming. Varieties like JAVELO, BELANICE, and REDIGO 2 are designed for fast growth, high yields, and resistance to common challenges like tipburn and bolting, supporting more sustainable agriculture in controlled environments. In the Red River Valley, Planet Labs has partnered with SatAgro to enhance precision farming for sugar beet crops. By integrating near-daily Earth observation data with SatAgro’s platform, this collaboration improves real-time monitoring of harvest progression and yield forecasts, helping farmers make more informed decisions for better crop management and sustainability. These partnerships are reshaping the future of agriculture with a strong focus on efficiency, sustainability, and environmental impact.

Anna: 06:23

In the world of modern agriculture technology, GrowDirector has unveiled its AI Agronomist, an AI-powered tool designed to simplify crop health management. Using image recognition and natural language processing (NLP), it offers instant diagnoses of plant diseases, pests, and environmental stress factors based on text, speech, or photo input. Key features include customized treatment recommendations, both chemical and organic, along with suggestions for introducing beneficial insects as part of integrated pest management. The AI Agronomist provides on-demand expert guidance, helping farmers avoid delays in diagnoses and improper treatments, ultimately reducing crop risks and enhancing productivity.

Anna: 07:07

In the realm of new product releases, several companies have unveiled innovative solutions designed to enhance agricultural operations. Topcon Agriculture has introduced a value line steering solution tailored for small and mid-range tractors. This autosteering system includes a GNSS receiver, electric steering controller, touchscreen console, and Horizon Lite software, offering increased field operation efficiency and reduced input costs. It also features compatibility with front-wheel-steer tractors and ISOBUS-UT functionality, ensuring universal compatibility across a wide range of equipment. Reinke Manufacturing has launched its E3 Precision Series irrigation systems. These center pivot systems feature the ReinLock Truss System, V-ring seals, and ESAC Corners for uniform water application. The systems are customizable to fit diverse field conditions, promising improved water use efficiency, reduced maintenance costs and better yield outcomes. Lastly, Ag Resource Management, or ARM, has released SYNTHESIS 2.0, an updated lending and underwriting platform for farmers. This platform offers real-time financial insights, faster loan approvals, mobile check depositing, and advanced budgeting tools. It aims to provide data-driven decision-making capabilities and increased control in the financing process for agricultural operations.

Anna: 08:28

In the world of sustainable agriculture and strategic growth, Soli Organic is making significant strides in expanding its operations and enhancing sustainability. The company has recently opened a new 140,000-square-foot facility in San Antonio, Texas. This advanced operation is strategically located in the Texas Triangle, allowing Soli Organic to serve 3,000 retailers and millions of customers in Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio. The new facility is designed to strengthen local food systems by reducing food miles and improving supply chain efficiency. It employs Soli Organic's proprietary growing system, which uses 90% less water and 99% less land compared to traditional farming methods. In addition to the new facility, Soli Organic is piloting electric trucks within its logistics operations. After a six-month pilot, Soli Organic will decide whether to expand electric vehicles into its nationwide fleet. This initiative aims to further reduce the company's carbon footprint by decreasing food miles. Penske Truck Leasing is partnering with Soli Organic to provide maintenance and access to charging infrastructure for this pilot program.

Anna: 09:35

In legislative news, a new bill called the "Supporting Innovation in Agriculture Act of 2024" has been proposed. This bill aims to introduce a 30% tax credit for investments in agricultural technologies, including precision agriculture and controlled environment agriculture. The goal is to encourage the adoption of advanced AgTech to improve efficiency, sustainability, and crop yields. The bill is currently under review by the Committee on Ways and Means. If passed, it would provide financial incentives for farmers and agribusinesses to modernize operations. In corporate developments, BASF is refocusing its efforts on agricultural solutions with a strong emphasis on sustainability. As part of its broader strategy, which underscores innovation and operational flexibility, the company is modernizing its portfolio management, capital allocation, and performance culture. This strategic shift includes plans for legal and ERP separation by 2027, which could potentially lead to an IPO. On the regulatory front, Rumin8 has secured approval in Brazil for its methane-reducing feed additives. The company's products, based on Tribromomethane, have been approved by Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food Supply. This follows a provisional approval in New Zealand and opens up significant opportunities in Brazil's large cattle industry for reducing methane emissions. Lastly, BioConsortia has achieved a significant milestone with the EPA registration of its Amara Biofungicide. This innovative product serves as an alternative to traditional chemical fungicides, targeting high-value fruit and vegetable production.

Anna: 11:10

As we wrap up our news roundup, let's look ahead to some exciting upcoming events in the AgTech calendar. World Agri-Tech Mexico is set to take place on October 29th and 30th, 2024. This event will bring together industry leaders to discuss the latest innovations in Mexican agriculture. On November 6th, 2024, the REAP Conference will be held in Newmarket, UK. This gathering focuses on the intersection of technology and agriculture in the British context. For those interested in indoor farming, mark your calendars for the Inhouse Farming Feed & Food Show, happening from November 12th to 15th, 2024, in Hanover. Dubai will host the AgriNext Conference on November 13th and 14th, 2024, showcasing agricultural advancements in the Middle East. Lastly, the Asia-Pacific Agri-Food Innovation Summit is scheduled for November 19th to 21st, 2024.

Anna: 11:59

That’s all for this episode of AgTech Digest. Join us next week for more exciting innovations shaping the future of AgTech. I’m Anna, and I can’t wait to explore more with you. Until then, stay inspired and keep pushing the boundaries of what's possible!