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Field Notes
Updates on AgTech Innovations and Partnerships from Kilter, Hort Innovation, Conexus, and More
Sepehr Achard
November 29, 2024
In partnership with Harnois Greenhouse
In this edition, explore the latest developments across the AgTech sector. From substantial funding rounds supporting global agricultural innovation to strategic partnerships and groundbreaking product launches.
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone as well!
This Week’s Highlights Include:
Estimated Reading Time: 5 - 6 minutes
You can also listen to the full episode here, or on the player below👇
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THIS WEEK’S FUNDING & INVESTMENTS
Funding & Investment Highlights: Kilter, Hort Innovation, Conexus and More
Kilter Raises $8.6M to Scale Precision Weeding Technology
Who? Norwegian agtech company Kilter.
What? Raised $8.6M in Series A funding, co-led by Pymwymic and Nufarm.
Purpose? Expand globally, develop new applications, and adapt the AX-1 autonomous weeding robot for additional crops.
AX-1 uses Single Drop Technology, cutting herbicide use by 95% and reducing labor costs.
Targets challenges like herbicide resistance, labor shortages, and regulatory compliance.
Expanding into markets such as Australia and New Zealand through Nufarm partnership.
Hort Innovation Launches $60M Venture Fund
Who? Hort Innovation, a grower-owned not-for-profit.
What? Introduced a $60M fund in partnership with Artesian for horticulture startups.
Purpose? Accelerate innovation in sustainability, productivity, consumption, and workforce development.
CEO Brett Fifield emphasizes supporting fresh ideas for sustainable, cost-effective growing.
Artesian partnership aims to enhance productivity and drive industry-wide innovation.
Source Agriculture Invests in Ascribe Bioscience
Who? Source Agriculture Corp. and Ascribe Bioscience.
What? Strategic investment to advance sustainable crop protection technologies.
Purpose? Strengthen sustainable farming with Phytalix®, a plant vaccine using natural soil microbiome molecules.
Phytalix® is non-toxic, biodegradable, and non-GMO.
Advanced metabolomics identify soil molecules that enhance plant health and productivity.
Conexus Credit Union Unveils $100M ‘Ag Grow Fund’
Who? Conexus Credit Union in Saskatchewan.
What? $100M fund to support agricultural producers.
Purpose? Facilitate reinvestment and growth in agriculture operations.
Offers discounted interest rates, no application fees, and age-inclusive eligibility.
Provides up to $2M per producer for eligible purchases (refinancing loans excluded).
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THIS WEEK’S STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS
Industry Updates: Solis Agrosciences, Veea & Spire Global
Solis Agrosciences Expands with Ferris Genomics Acquisition
Who? Solis Agrosciences acquires Ferris Genomics.
What? Integration of advanced sequencing and bioinformatics tools for plant and animal research.
Purpose? Enhance breeding programs and agricultural innovation.
Tools include whole-genome sequencing, skim sequencing, and genomic-driven breeding program development.
Ferris laboratories now fully integrated under Solis’ operations.
Supports growth trajectory since Solis' founding in 2022.
Veea Launches Smart Agriculture at Cyr Farm
Who? Veea Inc., partnering with Mainstream Fiber Networks, Microclimates Inc., and AmeriCrew LLC.
What? Climate Smart Agriculture initiative at Cyr Farm in Fowler, Indiana.
Purpose? Improve productivity and resource management using Veea’s Edge Platform with LoRaWAN connectivity.
Key benefits:
20%+ crop yield improvement.
30% energy reduction.
40% water savings.
20-40% labor cost reduction.
LatConnect60 Partners with Spire Global for Soil Moisture Insights
Who? LatConnect60 and Spire Global.
What? Partnership to deliver actionable soil moisture data for agriculture and forestry.
Purpose? Enhance water management, crop stress monitoring, and environmental sustainability.
Combines Spire's GNSS-R data with LatConnect60's satellite fleet.
Offers dynamic dashboards with daily updates and actionable maps for resource managers and policymakers.
NEW PRODUCTS
AgTech Innovations: Conduit, Farmers Edge, Lallemand Plant Care & More
Conduit Introduces E-Commerce Platform
Who? Conduit.
What? E-commerce platform offering crop inputs and financing options.
Purpose? Enhance farmer profitability and reduce supply chain inefficiencies.
Provides loans up to $1 million at 0% interest for over two years.
Eliminates annual interest expenses exceeding 8%.
Cyber November Promotion (Nov 25 - Dec 2): Includes free glufosinate or glyphosate in crop protection bundles for corn and soybean growers.
Farmers Edge Launches Managed Technology Services
Who? Farmers Edge.
What? Technology services for insurers, agribusinesses, and financial institutions.
Purpose? Address AgTech challenges and reduce technology costs by 30-50%.
Services include consulting, outsourcing, data licensing, and ESG reporting.
Integrates AI/ML models, SaaS tools, and Carbon Intensity Scoring.
Partnerships with advisory firms ensure seamless digital transformation.
Lystek Launches Livestock Waste Study with Federal Support
Who? Lystek International.
What? Four-year LysteMize Livestock Waste Characterization Study.
Purpose? Assess livestock waste potential for renewable energy and GHG reduction.
Funded by $585,000 from Canada’s Energy Innovation Program.
Focuses on manure from 10+ farms in Ontario using Lystek THP® systems.
Aims to develop circular economy solutions for livestock waste management by 2027.
Lallemand Plant Care Launches LALRISE® SHINE DS
Who? Lallemand Plant Care.
What? Dry seed treatment for corn and dry bean growers.
Purpose? Improve seedling vigor, root growth, and nutrient uptake.
Increases nutrient uptake by 28% and root mass growth by 20%.
Combines Pizazz® seed finisher with Bacillus velezensis microbe.
Can be integrated into commercial or on-site seed treatment processes.
OTHER NEWS
Global AgTech Highlights: Agri-TechE, Laundando & Associates, Amoéba & More!
Agri-TechE Calls for Renewed Government Agri-Tech Strategy
Released the "Back to the Future" report reflecting on the 2013 strategy.
Highlights challenges: regulatory lag, scaling solutions, investment gaps, and on-farm fatigue.
Identifies opportunities in conversational AI, advanced sensors, genetic tools, renewable energy, livestock wearables, and metabolic sequencing.
Laudando & Associates Launches Catalyzer Incubator
New agtech incubator program for bootstrapped entrepreneurs.
Provides business consulting, engineering development, advanced facilities, and tech expertise.
Pilot projects include pollinator monitoring, greenhouse phenotyping, and laser weeding.
Hygrozyme Focuses on Sustainable Plant Development
Canadian company offering versatile plant development solutions.
Products are compatible with external solutions and trusted by long-time customers.
Amoéba Advances Biofungicide Trials in Vineyards
2024 vineyard trial in Southwest France with IFV+.
AXPERA biofungicide reduced downy mildew symptoms by 57.7% with reduced copper dosage.
Outperformed standard copper treatments; further integration into viticulture planned.
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