Good morning growers,

This week’s update covers advances in edge AI, biological inputs, and climate-smart farming. NEXCOM debuts autonomous ag tech, Aphea.Bio and Syngenta boost microbial and AI tools, and ZenaTech expands drone services. GreenLight Bio earns EPA approval, Bioceres scales HB4® wheat, and FarmBox grows hospital-based farming. Also: DTN’s AI weather upgrade, AGCO’s €54M engine push, and new funding in feed, cotton, and irrigation.

And, a warm welcome to our new iGrow Network members. We’re glad to have you on board and look forward to keeping you updated on the latest innovations, opportunities, and trends in AgTech. Not a member yet? Register now to join the network.

Estimated Reading Time: 6 - 7 minutes

NEW: OUR LATEST AGTECH INTELLIGENCE DASHBOARD SNAPSHOT

What’s shaping the next wave of agtech innovation?

In 2025, most AgTech product announcements were concentrated in Precision Agriculture (57) and Crop Protection (24), which together represented nearly 70% of launches and underscored the industry’s emphasis on automation, decision support, and crop protection solutions. A second tier of activity came from AgriBusiness (20), CEA (15), and Plant Science (13), reflecting steady innovation in value-chain services, controlled environments, and genetics. Sustainability (5) — which covers regenerative agriculture, climate tech, and carbon markets — remained a smaller category in terms of product launches, but sustainability and resilience still ranked as the leading product objectives, suggesting these themes cut across multiple sectors rather than standing alone

Overall, the data indicates that while field-focused technologies dominate current innovation, companies are also laying groundwork in climate-oriented solutions, digital platforms, and biotech that could expand their influence over time.

Want to see which emerging objectives are beginning to reshape the landscape—and how they compare? Join the waitlist here and be among the first to explore the tools shaping the future of agriculture.

🎧 Prefer listening over reading?

Catch the full recap on this week’s AgTech Digest Podcast—available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite platform.

AGRITECH
AgTech Highlights: New Initiative, New Acquisition & More!

NEXCOM Debuts Edge AI System for AgTech

• NEXCOM has launched the ATC 3561-NA4C, a rugged Edge AI computer designed for use in smart agriculture applications.

• Built on the NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano™ platform, it delivers up to 67 trillion operations per second (TOPS), supporting high-performance AI tasks.

• The system enables autonomous operations such as planting, weeding, crop monitoring, and harvesting.

• Engineered for field conditions, it operates reliably in temperatures ranging from -25°C to 65°C.

• NEXCOM will showcase the device at Embedded World North America in Anaheim, California, from November 4–6, 2025.

ZenaTech Acquires A&J to Expand Drone Services

• ZenaTech has acquired A&J Land Surveyor, marking its tenth acquisition in its Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS) strategy.

• The move enhances ZenaTech’s footprint in Florida, particularly in the aviation, utility, and marine infrastructure markets.

• This acquisition supports ZenaTech’s plan to operate 25 DaaS locations across the U.S. by mid-2026.

• The integration is expected to accelerate the adoption of drone-based solutions in airport operations, utility inspections, and coastal monitoring.

Reservoir Farms Expands Field Trials for AgTech Startups

• Reservoir Farms, founded by Danny Bernstein, provides on-farm testing hubs to help AgTech startups validate and refine their products.

• Its current hubs in Salinas, CA, and Yuma, AZ, offer year-round access to professional growers and researchers.

• The model is designed to address a major barrier for startups—limited access to real-world testing environments. Strategic partnerships with established players like John Deere and the University of California lend credibility and technical support.

• The initiative aims to accelerate innovation in specialty crop production, while contributing to food security and climate resilience efforts.

Syngenta and Heritable Use AI to Optimize Seed Placement

• Syngenta has partnered with Heritable Agriculture to apply artificial intelligence to vegetable seed placement decisions.

• The collaboration will analyze historical data—such as geography, crop trials, and environmental conditions—to improve seed performance predictions.

• The goal is to match seed varieties with specific regional and climatic conditions, improving outcomes for growers.

• Syngenta highlights this as part of its broader commitment to precision agriculture and grower-centric solutions.

• Heritable Agriculture sees the integration of AI as a key advancement in bringing data-driven decision-making to crop planning.

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

Aphea.Bio Advances Microbial Crop Protection with Grant

• Aphea.Bio received a VLAIO grant to launch its TRΛNSCEND platform for microbial crop protection.

• The platform will screen 5,000 proprietary Microbial Natural Products (MNPs) for commercial potential.

• The goal is to move select candidates into product development within two years.

• CEO Isabel Vercauteren positioned TRΛNSCEND as a major step toward sustainable agriculture.

• The project could yield up to 30 new biological products over the next eight years, with improved quality control and speed to market.

InnerPlant Detects Soybean Disease Before Symptoms Appear

• InnerPlant’s CropVoice™ network has enabled early detection of fungal infections in soybeans.

• Farmers in Nebraska and South Dakota received alerts before visible symptoms emerged.

• The network currently covers 50,000 acres, with plans to expand to 500,000 acres by 2026.

• The system integrates engineered plants, agronomic expertise, and real-time field data.

• Subscription access via retailers supports more proactive disease management for growers.

EPA Approves RNAi Treatment to Protect Honey Bees

• GreenLight Bio’s Norroa™ received EPA registration as the first RNAi-based treatment for varroa mites.

• The product offers up to 18 weeks of protection and is safe for bees, humans, and the environment.

• It addresses urgent needs as U.S. beekeepers lost 1.7 million colonies between June 2024 and March 2025.

• Norroa uses RNA interference to selectively target mites and is distributed via Mann Lake Ltd.

• Industry groups view the approval as a critical step in protecting pollinators and agriculture.

Bioceres and Colorado Wheat Partner on HB4® Wheat

• Bioceres Crop Solutions partnered with CWRF to advance HB4® wheat in the U.S. market.

• The collaboration focuses on climate resilience and sustainable weed control in wheat systems.

• CWRF will manage trait licensing to breeding programs; Bioceres will oversee regulatory processes.

• The initiative includes development of new herbicides paired with biological inputs.

• An open licensing model is intended to broaden industry adoption.

BioLumic and Fonterra Target Climate-Smart Ryegrass

• BioLumic and Fonterra will co-develop light-activated traits for ryegrass using the xTraits™ platform.

• The approach enhances traits without genetic modification, using targeted light treatments.

• The project aims to improve pasture productivity and lower methane emissions in dairy systems.

• Initial trials are set for 2026, with commercial launch planned for 2028.

• The collaboration targets farmer-driven innovation in New Zealand’s forage sector.

CEA
CEA Updates: New Founding Round, New Initiatives & More!

Forever Feed Raises $4M for Sprouted Grain Systems

• Forever Feed Technologies secured a $4 million investment from JR Automation to build eight FFT Grow Systems™.

• Each system can produce up to 50 tons of sprouted grain daily, offering a sustainable livestock feed alternative.

• The first system, operational since October 2024 at River Ranch Dairy in California, uses 95% less water than traditional alfalfa farming.

• The system has the potential to replace 700 acres of conventional farmland and improve dairy feed efficiency.

• Full-scale rollout is planned for 2025 to support broader industry adoption.

Gooddrop Unveils UK-Grown Cotton Garment

• Gooddrop Ltd introduced the first garment made from cotton grown in the UK at its vertical farming R&D site.

• Harvested in August 2025, the cotton was turned into a garment within four weeks, highlighting local textile innovation.

• Sustainable fashion label TAMMAM collaborated on the design to showcase traceability and beauty in sustainable apparel.

• The project demonstrates the potential for regenerative textile production within controlled environments.

• This milestone reflects growing momentum in eco-conscious British fashion.

FarmBox Foods Brings Container Farms to Hospitals

• FarmBox Foods is working with healthcare providers to deploy on-site container farms like "WellFarm" at Wellstar Hospital in Georgia.

• These farms grow fresh, pesticide-free produce in climate-controlled environments for patient meals and wellness programs.

• The approach supports the "food as medicine" model while addressing health equity and community nutrition.

• Designed for non-farmers, the system includes training and support for hospital staff.

• Early results suggest benefits in nutrition and potential financial return, driving interest across North America.

Grodan & Signify Expand Tomato Trials for Efficiency

• Grodan and Signify have extended their greenhouse trial to include large tomato varieties after success with cherry tomatoes.

• The trial, based in Botany, explores high-quality tomato production with lower heat input and consistent yields.

• It uses precision irrigation, light optimization, and Grodan’s stone wool substrate for efficient nutrient uptake.

• The Axia Macxize XR variety is the current focus, tested under enhanced light conditions for improved efficiency.

• Previous trials showed sustainable yields with reduced energy use, supporting ongoing innovations in CEA.

AGRIBUSINESS
Agribusiness Highlights: New Partnership, New Initiatives & More!

DTN, NVIDIA & AWS Partner on AI Weather Forecasting

• DTN is collaborating with NVIDIA and AWS to improve the accuracy and speed of weather forecasting using AI.

• The integration uses NVIDIA Earth-2 AI models alongside DTN’s forecasting expertise.

• AWS provides scalable infrastructure to support enhanced forecast generation and delivery.

• The collaboration aims to support better operational decisions and reduce losses tied to extreme weather.

AGCO Expands Finnish Plant for Sustainable Engine Production

• AGCO has invested €54 million in its Linnavuori plant to increase engine remanufacturing and machining capabilities.

• The expansion raises annual remanufactured engine output from 1,000 to 2,500 units.

• Facilities will support Continuously Variable Transmission components and cylinder head production.

• Up to 80% of each remanufactured engine’s mass will be reused, cutting carbon emissions significantly.

Genome BC Backs Sustainable Protein and Smart Irrigation

• Genome BC’s I² Fund invested $1.75M in Maia Farms to scale mycelium-based protein production.

• Maia uses agricultural byproducts in bioreactors and partners with local universities on resilient food systems.

• Verdi received $1.5M to expand its AI-driven irrigation and crop management tools.

• The fund aims to bridge research and commercialization in sustainable agriculture and agtech innovation.

OTHER NEWS
Other Updates: New Funding Round, New Initiative & More!

• Chestnut Carbon secures $90 million in follow-on financing from CPP Investments. Total Series B funding rises to $250 million, up from $160 million announced earlier this year. Company also closed a $210 million non-recourse project finance credit facility. Funds to support U.S. afforestation projects and technological innovation.

• Fruitist has announced a partnership with 888 Midas, the investment firm founded by NFL quarterback Caleb Williams. 888 Midas invests in consumer, health, wellness, sports, media, and entertainment sectors. The collaboration emphasizes a shared commitment to promoting healthy snacking and wellness.

• Field to Market launches Version 5 of its Fieldprint Platform through a redesigned website. Updates include a new soil carbon indicator, revised greenhouse gas and energy metrics, and enhanced usability. The release supports Scope 3 emissions reporting and long-term sustainability tracking.

• Nuvio Planet, an environmental intelligence platform originally incubated at BASF, has completed a management buyout (MBO), transitioning into a fully independent, founder-led company. Independence will allow Nuvio Planet to scale its platform more quickly, innovate with greater flexibility, and deepen its focus on the agri-food sector. The platform is already trusted by companies such as Evonik, KWS, and Bestmix.

• Groundwork BioAg and Anew Climate announced a collaboration to market 500,000 tons of mycorrhizal carbon dioxide removal (CDR) credits within three years. The credits are generated through Groundwork’s Rootella Carbon® program, verified under the Verra VM0042 standard. Independent verification by SCS Global confirmed sequestration of 3.89 tCO₂e/acre in 2023, exceeding industry benchmarks.

UPCOMING EVENTS

AgraME | October 6 – 7, 2025 | Dubai

Vertical Farming World Congress | Oct 7-9, 2025 | Amsterdam

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