Partnership Power

Key Updates: Entosystem’s $58M Raise, BeeHero’s Expansion, and Syngenta’s AI-Powered Cropwise

Author

Sepehr Achard
October 04, 2024

In partnership with Harnois Greenhouse

Welcome to This Week’s AgTech Digest!

This week, we bring you the latest in agricultural innovation, from significant funding rounds driving sustainable farming to new partnerships boosting precision agriculture across the globe.

Let’s dive in!

What We Are Covering Today?

Estimated Reading Time: 7 - 8 minutes
Listening Time: 14 minutes

SPONSORED BY HARNOIS
Harnois Greenhouses: Low to High-TechPoly Greenhouse Solutions for Berries 

Greenhouse-grown berries offer numerous benefits over traditional open-field cultivation, including extended growing seasons, better crop protection, and increased yields.

At Harnois, we provide a full range of greenhouse structures for berry production, from cost-effective open-field solutions like TunnelPro Plus to advanced high-tech gutter-connected greenhouses like Luminosa.

We offer turnkey solutions, backed by a team of agronomists and equipment experts, ensuring growers get tailored systems that fit their needs and budgets. As technology evolves, greenhouse berry production will continue to play a crucial role in sustainable, year-round farming.

FUNDING & INVESTMENTS
This Week’s Investments: Entosystem, AgroSpheres & Vision Greens Bag Funding

Entosystem Secures $58M for Expansion

  • Investment: $58M from Idealist Capital, Sanimax, and Fondaction

  • Purpose: Increase production capacity and build a second plant

  • Impact: Converts organic waste into valuable ingredients, supporting sustainable agriculture and circular economy initiatives

AgroSpheres Raises $37M in Series B

  • Investment: $37M led by Zebra Impact Ventures

  • Purpose: Expand biomanufacturing, product development, and AgriCell platform

  • Impact: Advances sustainable crop protection with lower environmental impact

Vision Greens Secures $18M to Boost Lettuce Production

  • Investment: $18M from The Dorchester Corporation and Farm Credit Canada

  • Purpose: Scale production to 1 million pounds of pesticide-free lettuce annually

  • Impact: Meets growing demand for fresh, sustainable produce

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STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS
This Week’s Partnerships: BeeHero Expands In LATAM, FMC in Brazil & xFarm’s UK Partnership

xFarm Technologies and Dyson Farming Collaborate on Digitalization Project

  • Scope: Digitizing 33,600 acres of Dyson Farming's land

  • Timeline: 3-year project

  • Goals:

    • Increase operational efficiency through real-time tracking

    • Improve data management and machinery usage

    • Support sustainability and traceability for Dyson’s food production

FMC Corporation and Ballagro Partner to Expand Biological Solutions in Brazil

  • Scope: FMC licenses and distributes Ballagro’s biosolutions

  • Goals:

    • Help Brazilian growers protect crops sustainably

    • Expand FMC’s biologicals platform in Brazil

    • Offer a full suite of biological products to improve productivity and sustainability

  • Importance: Supports Brazilian agriculture amid changing environmental conditions

BeeHero and CONAPI Partner to Enhance Pollination in Peru

  • Scope: BeeHero brings IoT sensors and AI-driven pollination technology to Peru

  • Goals:

    • Improve pollination efficiency for crops like avocados, blueberries, and coffee

    • Support Peruvian beekeepers with technology and education

    • Strengthen global food security by boosting crop yields with better pollination outcomes

NEW PRODUCTS
AI-Powered Agronomic Data, AI Vision Guidance, Variable Rate Application & More!

Syngenta Unveils Cropwise AI

  • Technology: AI-powered platform using Syngenta’s agronomic data

  • Features:

    • Provides tailored recommendations for input applications, pest control, and seed placement

    • Utilizes 20+ years of data (weather, soil, growth stages, yield) for predictive models

    • Helps growers increase yields by up to 5%

  • Expansion: Currently available in the US and Brazil, with plans to expand to Europe

CropX Introduces Enhanced Variable Rate Application (VRA) Tool

  • Technology: VRA tool optimizes seeding, irrigation, and fertilizer use based on in-field variations

  • Benefits:

    • Reduces over-application of water and chemicals

    • Fully integrated with Variable Rate Irrigation (VRI) technology

    • Provides real-time recommendations using data from soil sensors and weather stations

Garford Farm Machinery Launches Robocrop AI Vision Guidance System

  • Technology: AI system for precision farming with ‘green on green’ plant recognition

  • Features:

    • Uses multi-modal cameras (color, infrared, depth) to distinguish crops from weeds

    • Designed for resilience in varying field conditions (light levels, cloud cover, weed pressure)

    • Available for the 2025 season, integrated into Garford's InRow electric rotor weeders

Biotalys Expands R&D with Biofungicide Program

  • New Program: BioFun-8, focused on sustainable protection against Alternaria

  • Problem: Alternaria affects fruits, vegetables, and specialty crops; current chemical treatments face resistance and regulatory challenges

  • Technology: AGROBODY 2.0 platform to accelerate biofungicide development

  • Pipeline: Includes other biocontrol solutions like BioFun-6, BioFun-7, and BioIns-2

Rantizo Launches FAA Reporting Feature in AcreConnect™ Software

  • Feature: New tool for drone spray operators to automate FAA reporting

  • Benefits:

    • Simplifies submission of monthly flight reports required for Part 137 licenses

    • Reduces complexity and minimizes errors

    • Ensures compliance with FAA regulations for agricultural drone operations

THIS WEEK’S INTERVIEW
Interview with Doriane’s CEO: The Growing Need for Data in Agriculture

Importance of Data

  • Agriculture relies on data to address challenges like sustainability and climate change.

  • Effective data management is key for decision-making in research.

Doriane’s Role

  • French software firm with 40 years of experience.

  • Provides tools for seed and biocontrol companies to manage data from trials and experiments.

  • CEO Louis Gauthier: “The challenge is not just collecting data but managing and analyzing it effectively.”

Digital Platforms for Research

  • Platforms like Bloomeo Biosolutions centralize data for easier analysis, supporting biostimulant and biocontrol sectors.

  • Gauthier: “Data platforms improve research outcomes and decision-making.”

Predictive Modeling and Future Challenges

  • Companies use data to predict future product performance (e.g., climate change).

  • Romain Royer: “Data helps plan for the future, not just current research.”

Security and Efficiency

  • Cybersecurity is a growing concern as more data is digitized.

  • Platforms like Bloomeo automate data collection, improving efficiency.

Future Outlook

  • By 2030, digital platforms will be central to agricultural innovation and strategy.

  • Gauthier: “We aim to be a global leader in agronomy and data management.”

OTHER NEWS
Other News: Advancements in Climate Tech, Banana Breeding, and Vertical Farming

  • Pivot Bio Expands Brazil Team as It Prepares for Commercial Launch

    • Pivot Bio expands its team in Brazil with four new hires as it prepares for the launch of commercial operations.

    • The new team members bring expertise in agronomy, finance, sales, and marketing.

  • The Ag Economy Barometer Hits Lowest Since 2016 In September

    • The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer dropped 12 points in September to its lowest reading since March 2016, reaching 88.

    • Farmers cited low commodity prices (33%) and high input costs (34%) as their top concerns for the coming year.

    • 78% of farmers expressed concerns about potential government policy changes following the 2024 elections.

    • The Farm Financial Performance Index fell for the third consecutive month, while short-term farmland value expectations declined for the first time since 2020.

  • CH4 Global Shares Latest Study On Benefits of Whole Asparagopsis Seaweed

    • Whole Asparagopsis seaweed reduces cattle methane emissions by 95.6%, significantly outperforming pure bromoform’s 59.6% reduction.

    • The study highlights the importance of bioactive compounds in whole seaweed beyond bromoform, contributing approximately 40% to the methane reduction effect.

  • Lavie Bio Receives Grant to Advance ‘MicroFermentor’ Technology for Ag-Biologicals

    • Lavie Bio received a grant from the Israel Innovation Authority (IIA) to further develop its ‘MicroFermentor’ technology.

    • ‘MicroFermentor’ is a patented technology designed to improve the viability, shelf life, and application efficiency of ag-biologicals by allowing beneficial bacteria to multiply directly on plants.

  • Royal Peterson Control Union Group Acquires Majority Stake in Delphy Groep BV

    • Royal Peterson Control Union Group (RPCU) has acquired a majority stake in Delphy Groep BV, a global consultancy in food and flower production optimization.

    • Delphy will integrate into Peterson Projects and Solutions, enhancing its agricultural consultancy and knowledge services. The acquisition aims to expand Delphy’s reach through RPCU’s international network.

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