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AgTech Advances
Featuring Halter, Limagrain, Taranis, MyEasyFarm, Muon Space, Doktar, EarthDaily, The Reservoir, Protein Industries Canada, CDotBio, Symbiomics, BASF, AgroSpheres, Lucent Bio, Sollum Technologies, Grow-tec, Globalstar, Agoro Carbon, Anew Climate, and more.
Diletta Di Iorio
June 27, 2025
Good Morning, Growers.
This week’s edition highlights strategic funding, cross-border partnerships, and next-generation technologies shaping agriculture's tomorrow. From virtual fencing and desert-adapted seeds to AI-powered analytics, RNA crop protection, and climate-smart fertilizers, explore the innovations driving progress from Halter, Limagrain, Taranis, Muon Space, Doktar, CDotBio, Lucent Bio, and many more.
A heartfelt thank you to all our new members for joining the iGrow Network – we’re excited to have you on board and look forward to sharing the latest innovations and updates with you! Instant access here!
What We Are Covering Today:
Estimated Reading Time: 6 - 7 minutes
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AGRITECH & PRECISION FARMING
AgTech Highlights: Partnership, Funding Round, New Initiatives & More!
Limagrain–ADQ Partnership Talks:
Limagrain is in exclusive negotiations with UAE-based ADQ for a potential 35% minority stake in its Vegetable Seeds business. A new entity, Limagrain Vegetable Seeds (LVS), would be formed, with Vilmorin & Cie retaining a 65% majority.
The move supports Limagrain's "Ambition 2030" strategy, emphasizing innovation and sustainability.
The partnership would include a joint R&D initiative with ADQ’s Silal, focused on developing desert-adapted vegetable genetics.
Halter Series D Funding:
Halter raised $100 million in a Series D round, reaching a $1 billion valuation.
The funding will support expansion in the U.S. ranching market, where Halter currently serves about 150 ranchers across 18 states.The company offers virtual fencing and cattle management technology aimed at improving productivity, animal welfare, and regenerative land use.
The investment aligns with broader industry challenges, including an aging rancher population in the U.S. (average age over 55).
Taranis and Pivot Bio Partnership:
Taranis and Pivot Bio have partnered to promote USDA-supported regenerative agriculture practices.
The Taranis Conservation™ program helps farmers access federal conservation funding for sustainable nitrogen use.
The program provides digital tools, guidance, and recordkeeping to support growers in qualifying for USDA programs. Taranis uses a success-based model, charging growers only when funding is secured, reducing financial risk and administrative barriers.
The Reservoir & Naturipe Berry Growers Partnership:
Naturipe will manage five acres of strawberries and assist with technology integration and field trials.
The initiative aims to connect agtech startups with commercial farming to bridge the gap between innovation and implementation.
Reservoir Farms will host startups focused on robotics, automation, and digital agriculture solutions.
Goals include supporting over 50 startups within five years, creating 500+ jobs, enhancing labor efficiency, and deploying sustainability-oriented technologies.
Doktar Secures €7.5M Funding:
AgTech firm Doktar raised €7.5 million in a funding round co-led by ECBF and Pymwymic. The funding will support expansion of Doktar’s digital agriculture and sustainability platform.
Operating in over 10 countries, Doktar supports 250,000 hectares of regenerative farmland and works with major global food and beverage companies.
The capital will aid Doktar’s growth in Europe, North America, and South America.
EarthDaily Analytics Satellite Launch:
EarthDaily Analytics launched the first of ten satellites for a constellation targeting daily Earth observation.
The satellite is stable and power-positive, with full operational capacity expected by 2026.
The system aims to support AI-driven analytics in agriculture, including crop monitoring, input optimization, and risk management.
PLANT SCIENCE
Plant Science Updates: New Initiative & Products, Funding Round & More!
Protein Industries Canada Soybean Initiative:
The project involves NRGene Canada, Pulse Genetics, Hensall Co-op, and Yumasoy Foods Ltd.
It aims to develop early-maturing, high-protein soybean varieties for northern climates and introduce a novel whole-soy plant-based protein product.
The initiative supports Canada's "Road to $25 Billion" strategy to advance the country's plant-based industry leadership.
CDotBio Wins Venture Prize for RNA Crop Protection:
CDotBio, a spinout from the University of Bristol, received the £25,000 Armourers & Brasiers Venture Prize.
The company is developing RNA-based biopesticides using a carbon nanodot platform to improve delivery and stability.
The technology targets pests such as blackgrass, wheat rust, and aphids without harming non-target organisms.
CDotBio is seeking partners to support commercialization and further development.
Symbiomics Secures Series A for Microbiome Technologies:
Symbiomics has raised Series A funding led by Corteva to advance microbial technologies for agriculture.
The company focuses on enhancing crop resilience, health, and yields through microbiome-based innovations.
The partnership aims to expand genome-edited microbial solutions for crop improvement.
Brazil is a strategic focus due to a 15% growth in its biologicals market during the 2023–2024 season.
BASF Introduces InVigor Gold Canola Seed:
BASF has developed the InVigor Gold hybrid canola seed for food, biofuel, and industrial markets.
The Brassica juncea variety offers heat and disease resistance and is tolerant to LibertyLink® herbicide.
Field trials showed an average 8% yield advantage over traditional canola in specific growing zones.
U.S. market introduction is expected in 2027, pending regulatory approval.
AgroSpheres Launches Thyme-Based Biofungicide:
AgroSpheres has launched FUN-THYME™, a thyme oil-based biofungicide for high-value crops.
The product uses AgroSpheres’ AgriCell® platform for enhanced stability, delivery, and biodegradability.
FUN-THYME™ targets a broad range of fungal diseases and is compatible with organic and conventional farming.
The solution addresses pest resistance and supports environmental sustainability goals.
Lucent Bio Launches Soileos Boron + Zinc:
Lucent Bio has introduced Soileos Boron + Zinc, a granular, slow-release fertilizer.
Designed to enhance boron and zinc efficiency while minimizing nutrient leaching.
Utilizes microbial mineralization to align nutrient release with crop uptake.
The product is seed safe and can be applied in-furrow, banded, or broadcast at seeding.
Supports regenerative agriculture and Scope 3 emission reduction through climate-smart design.
OTHER NEWS
Other Updates: Partnerships, Investment, Funding Round & More!
Saskatchewan & Canada Invest $3.4M to Advance Genomics Research in Livestock Production. Joint federal-provincial investment will fund two new research facilities at the University of Saskatchewan. The initiative supports the IntegrOmes project, focused on sustainable beef genetics and reproductive efficiency.
Globalstar Extends Partnership with CERES TAG to Support Real-Time Livestock Monitoring. Globalstar continues to provide satellite connectivity for CERES TAG’s livestock tracking and health monitoring systems. The collaboration plays a key role in real-time detection and containment of vector-borne diseases like the New World Screwworm.
Agoro Carbon will deliver 2.6 million carbon removal credits to Microsoft over 12 years. The credits are generated from U.S. agricultural projects using regenerative practices under Verra’s VM0042 methodology. Agreement is one of the largest soil-based carbon removal commitments to date. The program supports farmers and ranchers through agronomic guidance and financial incentives.
Anew Climate and Aurora Sustainable Lands will deliver 4.8 million carbon removal credits to Microsoft over 10 years. The credits are generated from Improved Forest Management (IFM) projects across five U.S. states. Projects will follow ACR’s IFM v2.1 protocol, with enhanced monitoring and quantification standards.
Muon Space launched the VanZyl-2 satellite for Hydrosat, focused on high-resolution thermal infrared and multispectral imagery. Built on Muon's Halo™ platform, the satellite is expected to image up to eight million square kilometers per day. The mission marks a fourfold increase in capacity over the earlier VanZyl-1 and highlights Muon's Earth observation capabilities.
French AgTech startup MyEasyFarm has been selected for the EIT Food Fast Track to Market Initiative. The initiative supports the commercialization of agrifood technologies aligned with innovation and sustainability goals. MyEasyFarm's platform integrates agricultural data to help assess and improve environmental impacts of farming practices.
UPCOMING EVENTS
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