Key Takeaways:
- Verdi raises $6.5M to scale its smart irrigation platform across North America.
- LandWise Analytica expands globally with AI-powered land evaluation tools.
- New product registrations from ADAMA and restructuring at Bayer highlight strategic shifts in crop science.
- OnePointOne, Concert Bio, and Inari report major CEA innovations from yield improvements to pilot farms and R&D expansion.
- Emerging tech like MIR-based carbon analysis, drones, and fermentation platforms gain traction in the broader AgTech ecosystem.
Listen or Watch The Episode Below
AgTech and Precision Ag: Verdi Leads Funding Momentum
Verdi Raises CAD 6.5M for Smart Irrigation Expansion
Canadian startup Verdi secured CAD 6.5M in seed funding, led by SVG Ventures, to expand its smart irrigation platform. The technology retrofits onto existing infrastructure and is designed to reduce labor and water use. Verdi also aims to build partnerships with major food and beverage companies.
Javelot Expands to U.S. Grain Market
France-based Javelot is entering the U.S. with its grain storage optimization solutions. The company will open a Chicago headquarters and begin local hiring, supporting the rollout of its hardware-software monitoring system for post-harvest storage.
BeeHero Unveils Solar HeroLink
BeeHero launched HeroLink, a solar-powered device that supports its Global Million Hives Initiative. The gateway transmits real-time sensor data and is designed for remote pollination sites, beginning with Australia’s almond season in July.
Reservoir Farms Launches Robotics Incubator
Reservoir Farms opened an on-farm robotics incubator in California’s Salinas Valley. The facility allows startups to co-develop automation tools for specialty crops like strawberries and romaine directly with growers.
CNH Partners with Starlink
CNH Industrial and Starlink announced a partnership to bring satellite-based internet to Case IH, New Holland, and STEYR machines. The connectivity will enable precision agriculture, fleet coordination, and remote diagnostics in underserved rural areas.
LandWise Analytica Editorial: Scaling AI for Smarter Land Decisions
LandWise Analytica is building global momentum with its real-time land suitability modeling platform. Co-founder Patrick McMillan highlights the company’s commitment to data ethics, precision agriculture, and accessible land intelligence.
“Farmers deserve better tools to reduce inefficiency without giving up their data rights,” said McMillan.
The platform provides crop-specific recommendations in under 10 minutes using satellite data and climate modeling. Published in Nature Communications, LandWise’s methodology is now expanding beyond North America to global markets.
Plant Science: New Products, Platforms, and Realignments
ADAMA Launches Temper™ More Herbicide
ADAMA has registered a dual-action herbicide in the U.S. combining burndown and residual control. Targeted for soybean, corn, and cotton, it is engineered to manage herbicide-resistant weeds and reduce repeat applications.
Spearhead Bio Introduces TAHITI Gene Editing
Spearhead Bio launched the TAHITI system, which enables precise genetic trait insertion without traditional recombination. TAHITI is applicable to both transgenic and non-transgenic crops.
Bayer Restructures German Crop Science Division
Bayer will shut down its Frankfurt site by 2028, affecting 500 positions, and centralize global R&D in Monheim am Rhein. The move aims to improve profitability amid international pricing pressure.
Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA): Yield, Automation & Global Rollouts
Opollo Farm Pilots Fully Automated Vertical Farm
OnePointOne and AutoStore debuted Opollo Farm in Phoenix. The pilot uses robotic systems and environmental controls to address water use and labor challenges in vertical farming. The concept is under review for commercial deployment.
Concert Bio Boosts Tomato Yields with Microbial Input
In partnership with Fyto, Concert Bio reported a 15% yield increase in hydroponic tomatoes using its AI-developed Candidate 2 microbial product.
Inari Opens R&D Facility in Belgium
Inari inaugurated a research facility in Ghent to support early-stage plant development and adapt to EU genomic regulations.
TTA-ISO Launches FlexFixer Automation
TTA-ISO introduced the FlexFixer for transplant trays. It uses dual vision systems and a robotic arm to automatically fill missing cells—streamlining the transplanting process post-merger.
Green Automation Powers Ontario Leafy Greens Farm
Green Automation completed its automated production system at Haven Greens. The farm grows three leafy green varieties using technology designed for labor efficiency and consistent quality.
Other News: Carbon, Drones, and Policy Recommendations
- EarthOptics launched MIR-based carbon testing for more efficient and registry-compatible soil analysis.
- Wingtra acquired 20 RedEdge-P cameras from AgEagle to upgrade its drones for ag mapping and water management.
- MOA Foodtech revealed Albatros, an AI microbiology tool to ferment food byproducts into functional ingredients.
- UNDO won $5M from XPRIZE for its verified enhanced rock weathering carbon removal solution.
- Barclays published a report urging UK leaders to create a 25-year agriculture plan centered on AgTech adoption.
Upcoming AgTech Events
- International Electronic Conference on Entomology – May 19-21, 2025
- Transform Food & Agriculture Europe 2025 – Reuters Events
- Commercial UAV Expo – Sept 2-4, 2025 | Las Vegas, USA
- Taiwan Smart Agriweek – Sept 3-5, 2025
- Global Vertical Farming Show 2025 – Sept 10-11 | Dubai, UAE
- SPACE 2025 – Sept 16-18 | France
Discover all the other events here.
Directory Members Shout-Out
Established Plan:
SpectraGrow, LettUs Grow, Harvest Returns, Women in CEA, Harnois Greenhouses, Verde Compacto
Scale-Up Plan:
Sollum Technologies, Babylon Micro-Farms, Ounce of Hope Aquaponics, Grow-Tec
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