Fresh Picks

Featuring Artechno, Philips Horticulture, Limgroup, BASF, Corteva, M.S. Technologies, LeafWorks, Proterra, AcreTrader, EBZ Group, Ecobloom, GreenLife, PB tec, CE-Line, Orbia Netafim, Saga Robotics, BinSentry, and AgEagle.

Author

Diletta Di Iorio
August 15, 2025

Good morning, growers,

This week’s update covers developments across plant science, controlled environment agriculture (CEA), and AgTech. Artechno, Philips Horticulture, and Limgroup are collaborating on year-round strawberry propagation; BASF, Corteva, and M.S. Technologies are progressing nematode-resistant soybean traits; and LeafWorks is expanding its botanical DNA testing capabilities.

In CEA, EBZ Group has acquired a stake in Organifarms, Ecobloom and GreenLife have partnered to bring AI-powered farming to Kuwait, and PB tec has added CE-Line’s nutrient monitoring technology to its portfolio. In AgTech, Orbia Netafim has introduced the Mega-PULSAR™ sprinkler, Saga Robotics is expanding its Thorvald platform, BinSentry has secured $50M in funding for feed monitoring solutions, and AgEagle has launched the RedEdge-P Green camera.

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What We Are Covering Today:

Estimated Reading Time: 6 - 7 minutes

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AGRITECH
AgTech Highlights: New Funding, Initiative & More!

Orbia Netafim debuts Mega-PULSAR™ sprinkler

  • Orbia Netafim has launched Mega-PULSAR™ sprinkler technology to protect orchards from heatwaves.

  • Designed for high-value subtropical crops like avocado, mango, and lychee.

  • Distributes uniform pulses of low-volume water throughout the canopy to reduce temperature and raise humidity.

  • Modular, wide-spacing system reduces water use, labor, and maintenance costs.

  • Early field installations show improved humidity and temperature control.

Saga Robotics raises £8.4M for Thorvald expansion

  • Saga Robotics has secured £8.4 million in equity capital to expand deployment of its Thorvald autonomous platform for grapevine and strawberry production.

  • Funding round led by Praesidium Agri-FoodTech, Aker, and Nysnø Climate Investments.

  • Capital will accelerate rollout in the UK, where Thorvald supports 13 major strawberry growers.

  • Platform also operates on more than 1,300 acres of vineyards in the US.

BinSentry secures $50M Series C

  • BinSentry, specializing in AI-powered sensors for the animal feed supply chain, has raised $50 million in Series C funding led by Lead Edge Capital.

  • Funding will support global expansion after doubling revenue in the past year.

  • Maintained a 0% customer churn rate during this period.

  • Solar-powered sensors provide real-time monitoring of on-farm feed levels with 99% accuracy.

  • Technology replaces manual inventory checks and helps prevent feed outages.

AgEagle launches RedEdge-P Green camera

  • AgEagle Aerial Systems has released the RedEdge-P Green multispectral camera to improve agricultural productivity.

  • Provides high-resolution, data-rich imaging for agronomists, researchers, and environmental managers.

  • Enables data-driven decisions to enhance yields, reduce costs, and conserve natural resources. NDAA-compliant and compatible with multiple drone platforms.

  • Ready for immediate adoption by growers, researchers, and environmental agencies.

INTERVIEW
Artechno, Philips Horticulture, and Limgroup have partnered to develop a year-round indoor propagation model for F1 hybrid strawberry plants

  • Artechno, Philips Horticulture, and Limgroup have partnered to develop a year-round, indoor propagation model for F1 hybrid strawberry plants.

  • The AVF+ system enables controllable, clean, uniform, and accelerated strawberry propagation with flexible configurations.

  • Limore One, Limgroup’s F1 hybrid strawberry variety, offers stable yield, uniformity, and is suited for protected cultivation.

  • Signify’s Philips GrowWise lighting system provides phase-specific light recipes to improve crop performance and quality.

  • The partnership supports breeders, propagators, growers, and retailers in addressing demand for consistent, high-quality strawberry varieties.

Read the complete interview here.

PLANT SCIENCE
Plant Science Updates: New Investment, Initiative & More!

Nematode-resistant soybeans in Brazil

  • BASF, Corteva Agriscience, and M.S. Technologies are introducing a nematode-resistant soybean trait in Brazil.

  • Targets root lesion and soybean cyst nematodes.

  • Trials show over 90% control of root lesion nematodes.

  • Commercial launch expected late this decade or early next, pending approval.

  • Anticipated to benefit South American farmers.

New nutrient planning tools from FarmQA

  • FarmQA has launched two new tools to streamline nutrient planning: Advanced Prescriptions and Nutrient Blender.

  • Advanced Prescriptions delivers batch, formula-based variable rate recommendations for greater precision.

  • Nutrient Blender offers quick, flat-rate fertility planning based on soil data and yield goals.

  • Both tools are designed to improve accuracy and reduce the time agronomists spend on data processing.

LeafWorks broadens botanical ID services

  • LeafWorks has expanded its DNA-based botanical identification services to include the top 75 herbs and fungi in natural products.

  • The expanded offering includes adulteration detection for complex formulations and blended products.

  • Services include Botanical DNA ID and Adulteration DNA ID testing, validated against a global genomic library.

  • This ensures accuracy and compliance with regulatory standards.

  • The services are available for dietary supplements, foods, cosmetics, and other natural products.

Proterra Investment Partners & AcreTrader

  • Proterra has acquired AcreTrader to extend its farmland investment reach and support the growth of Acres.com.

  • AcreTrader’s team will join Proterra, while Acres.com will remain independent under founder Carter Malloy.

  • AcreTrader focuses on private equity and credit investments in the global food value chain.

  • The acquisition aligns with Proterra’s broader strategic growth plans.

  • The company intends to maintain transparency and investor access while expanding its offerings.

CEA
CEA Updates: New Partnership, Acquisition & More!

EBZ Group buys majority stake in Organifarms

  • EBZ Group has acquired a majority stake in AgTech startup Organifarms, marking its entry into sustainable and automated agricultural technologies.

  • Co-founders Dominik Feiden and Hannah Brown will leave the company.

  • A new leadership team will combine Organifarms’ agricultural expertise with EBZ’s automation capabilities.

  • The partnership aims to scale the technology into new sectors and achieve market readiness.

  • Integration will maintain the company’s culture and continue ongoing projects.

AI-driven farming partnership in Kuwait

  • Ecobloom and Kuwait-based GreenLife have partnered to deploy AI-driven farming.

  • Ecobloom’s EcoSense system provides real-time environmental and crop data, predictive alerts, and AI-powered insights.

  • GreenLife’s facility uses a CleanGreens aeroponic system for water efficiency and optimal root health.

  • The partnership aims to improve efficiency, consistency, and sustainability in desert farming.

PB tec acquires CE-Line assets

  • PB tec, part of Atrium Agri, has acquired all assets of CE-Line following its bankruptcy in July 2025.

  • The deal includes intellectual property, patents, inventory, stock, work in progress, and goodwill.

  • CE-Line developed a capillary electrophoresis system for real-time nutrient measurement in irrigation water.

  • The acquisition secures CE-Line’s expertise in real-time water analysis for greenhouse horticulture.

  • PB tec plans to integrate and expand these capabilities within its product portfolio.

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OTHER NEWS
Other Updates: New Initiative, Acquisition & More!

  • MBOLD and AURI launch Protein Navigator. Protein Navigator aims to assist companies working in plant-based and animal protein sectors. Program offers insights, strategic connections, and personalized guidance. Initiative positions Minnesota as a hub for scalable protein innovation.

  • Neogen® Corporation enters arrangement with enzyme design company Biomatter. Collaboration will leverage Biomatter’s Intelligent Architecture™ platform and Neogen’s analytical expertise. Goal is to create advanced enzyme-based products for food safety applications.

  • Plantible Foods opens first commercial facility in Eldorado, Texas. Facility, called the Ranchito, will produce Rubi Protein™ from lemna at commercial scale. Expansion includes upgraded filtration systems and a higher-yield plant strain. Project expected to cut nearly 8,000 metric tons of CO₂-equivalent emissions annually. Partnerships, including with ICL, aim to integrate Rubi Protein into consumer products.

  • Betagro Ventures joins an ~$18.4 million Series B funding round for U.S.-based animal health company BiomEdit. Proceeds will advance BE-101 (“Optavant™”), designed to help prevent necrotic enteritis in broiler chickens. Necrotic enteritis is estimated to cause $6 billion in global poultry losses each year. BE-101 is a non-antibiotic probiotic vectored antibody product, with commercial launch planned for 2026.

  • Ambient Carbon’s Methane Eradication Photochemical System (MEPS) removed up to 90% of methane from dairy barn ventilation air. Large-scale trial conducted at Hofmansgave Foundation farm in Denmark, processing emissions from a 250-cow barn. Technology targets dilute methane concentrations below 1000 ppm, common in livestock housing. MEPS also removes ammonia, reduces odors, and generates fertilizer as a by-product.

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