AgTech Digest

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Jul 2026

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Do you struggle to stay up-to-date with the latest news from the world of AgTech? Every week join us for the latest stories from the world of CEA and Vertical Farming. Each episode provides you with your weekly dose of AgTech news, ensuring you stay up to date with latest news from this fast-paced and exciting industry. Subscribe and Follow AgTech Digest wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.

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July 24, 202625 min

CasClear, CRISPR, and AI in Soybean Genetics: New AgTech Frontiers - Interview with Matt Begemann Interview

📺 Watch on YouTube and SpotifyUnlock the future of agtech and CRISPR with this deep dive into the world of soybean innovation and next-gen crop defense! Matt Begeman, a key voice from Confluence Genetics, unveils how his team is driving breakthroughs in seed genetics and leveraging cutting-edge technologies like CasClear. From transforming the profitability and sustainability landscape for growers to exploring the epic potential of CRISPR-based antimicrobials and cell-specific cancer therapies, this episode journeys across the science and strategy shaping global food and health systems.Listen in to discover:The intricate challenges and opportunities facing modern soybean growersHow AI and advanced breeding accelerate development of nutrient-rich, high-value cropsThe story behind CasClear and its powerful implications for agriculture—and even cancer treatmentWhy data, partnerships, and strategic tech licensing are changing the gameIf you’re passionate about the intersection of biology, technology, and agriculture, this episode is packed with thought-provoking insights you won’t want to miss!5 Key TakeawaysTake your agricultural strategy to the next level with these essential insights:AI-driven breeding models like CropOS can significantly accelerate soybean variety development and optimize desired traits—embrace technology to boost your crop outcomes.Creating higher-value soybean products with specialty traits unlocks premium markets for growers—seek out partnerships to increase your profitability per acre.Gene editing and CRISPR-based innovations, such as CasClear, are expanding possibilities for crop protection and quality—stay informed and engaged with cutting-edge solutions.Gathering and leveraging high-quality, connected sequence and phenotype data is key to successful breeding and product innovation—invest in your data strategy.Strategic collaborations and technology licensing can help expand the reach of impactful platforms—consider partnerships to amplify innovation and business growth.Memorable Quotes"So if we could take our CasClear technology, design it specifically for their cancer, deliver it to that individual, and basically deliver cell-specific chemotherapy where it only destroys the cancer cells and leaves all the normal cells intact. That's the conceptual idea we've built with CasClear in the oncology space.""Our goal is to enable as many different companies to use this technology as we can because I can't work on soybeans, antimicrobials, and oncology all at the same time. We've really got to partner with other companies to make this successful.""If you have decades worth of phenotype data but you've never sequenced your populations or understand your population structure, you're also kind of stuck. You've got to really pull both of these together to enable those AI tools to really drive your breeding organization forward and make better products at the end of the day."Connect with MattLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-begemann/Resources Mentionedconfluence.ag – https://confluence.ag/castclear.com – https://castclear.com/University of Missouri – https://missouri.edu/University of Wisconsin–Madison – https://wisc.edu/University of Utah – https://utah.edu/UC Berkeley – https://berkeley.edu/Benson Hill – https://bensonhill.com/CropOS by Benson Hill – https://bensonhill.com/cropos/ChatGPT by OpenAI – https://openai.com/chatgptAnthropic – https://www.anthropic.com/Connect with Us!Be sure go subscribe to our other shows:Vertical Farming Podcast: https://verticalfarmingpodcast.com/Greenhouse Success Stories: https://greenhousesuccess.com/Presented by iGrowNews.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/igrownews🎙️🎙️🎙️Discover the best podcast services in the world at The Podosphere: https://www.thepodosphere.com/Mentioned in this episode:2025 Precision Ag Report by iGrowNews2025 Precision Ag Report2025 Precision Ag Report by iGrowNews2025 Precision Ag Report

July 24, 202614 min

Corteva, Nutrien, AGCO, AppHarvest, Benson Hill, Invaio Sciences, Semios, Pessl Instruments, Rothamsted Research, Bayer, FMC, Yara

📺 Watch on YouTube and SpotifyWelcome back, listeners! In today's episode, we dive into the latest strides in AgTech — the data ownership question and why farm data is becoming a power issue as AI gets embedded in agricultural decisions, Pieter Lommen of Delphy on why CEA projects fail before they buy their first climate computer, Bayer cutting full-year crop science guidance, Bowery Farming's IP auction concluding across three buyers, Loam Bio's first commercial soil carbon credit sale, and Land O'Lakes expanding its Microsoft AI precision farming collaboration to 100 million acres. Let's get started!Here’s a Quick Snapshot of What’s Making Headlines:Analysis: The Data Ownership Question: who owns the data generated on a farm, why current contracts largely favour platforms over farmers, and why the answer is about to matter much more as AI gets embedded in agricultural decision-makingInterview: Pieter Lommen of Delphy on practical CEA consulting — translating Dutch greenhouse science into commercially viable operations globally, crop-specific knowledge transfer, and why implementation matters more than technologyEarnings: Bayer cuts FY crop science guidance citing US herbicide pricing pressure and glyphosate market dynamics; FMC reports better-than-expected Q2 on Latin America volume; Yara Q2 EBITDA up 14% on ammonia margins; Syngenta Group H1 revenues broadly stableM&A: BioAtlantis acquired by a strategic buyer — Irish seaweed bioactives company exits after 20-plus years; Bowery Farming IP auction concludes with hydroponic patents going to three separate buyersLaunch: Protelum launches commercially — plant-based protein ingredient from lupin and faba bean targeting food reformulation; Loam Bio completes first commercial soil carbon credit sale under its CSIRO-validated methodologyPartnerships: Syngenta and Indigo Ag's Terion sign a multi-year agronomic data sharing agreement; Land O'Lakes and Microsoft expand their AI precision farming collaboration to cover 100 million acresFunding: Naio Technologies raises 30M euros for vegetable crop weeding robotics; Persephone Biome raises $12M Series A for microbiome-based crop health; Tarfin raises $20M to expand agricultural credit access in TurkeyEvents: Commercial UAV Expo (Las Vegas), Taiwan Smart Agriweek, Women in Agribusiness Global Summit (New Orleans), Global Agrovet Research Conference (Dubai), EIMA International (Bologna)Read The Full Summary On The Latest Issue Of IGROW NEWSConnect with Us!Be sure go subscribe to our other shows:Vertical Farming Podcast: https://verticalfarmingpodcast.com/Greenhouse Success Stories: https://greenhousesuccess.com/Presented by iGrowNews.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/igrownews🎙️🎙️🎙️Discover the best podcast services in the world at The Podosphere: https://www.thepodosphere.com/Mentioned in this episode:2025 Precision Ag Report by iGrowNews2025 Precision Ag Report2025 Precision Ag Report by iGrowNews2025 Precision Ag Report

July 17, 202612 min

Groupe Flore, Groupe Thomas Plants, Tecnosem, Kimitec, DVC Partners, Royal Berry, Dutch Berries, Rize, BNP Paribas Asset Management Alts,

📺 Watch on YouTube and SpotifyWelcome back, listeners! In today's episode, we dive into the latest strides in AgTech — tariffs adding 8 to 23% to agricultural hardware costs and splitting the sector between those who localized early and those who didn't, a sharply divided earnings season with Corteva up and AGCO down 18%, three company exits including AppHarvest, Benson Hill, and Invaio Sciences each telling a different story, Semios acquiring Pessl Instruments for sensor hardware, and a 180-year Rothamsted dataset showing UK arable soil carbon declining despite organic matter additions. Let's get started!Here’s a Quick Snapshot of What’s Making Headlines:Analysis: Tariff impact on AgTech hardware: steel, aluminum, and semiconductor duties adding 8 to 23% to equipment costs, supply chains rerouting, and an early mover advantage emerging for companies that localized manufacturing ahead of the current cycleEarnings: Corteva Q2 strong with seed and crop protection both up; AGCO Q2 weak on North American volume declines; Deere reaffirms full-year guidance; Nutrien raises its potash volume outlook for 2026Exits: AppHarvest assets sold to AppTech Group in a court-supervised process; Benson Hill formally begins wind-down after failing to find a buyer; Invaio Sciences closes operationsM&A: Semios acquires Pessl Instruments, adding weather stations and soil sensors to its pest and disease monitoring platform; Trimble completes restructuring of its agriculture division into a standalone business unitDigital Ag: CBH Group launches its digital grain platform across Western Australia; WinField United launches an AI agronomic advisory tool for its network of independent retailersSustainability: Yara and CF Industries sign a green ammonia offtake agreement; Nufarm and Corteva expand their omega-3 canola commercial partnership across Australia and CanadaResear: Rothamsted Research publishes 180-year dataset showing UK soil carbon declining in arable fields at 0.17% per year despite organic matter additions — a significant finding for net-zero commitmentsEvents: Commercial UAV Expo (Las Vegas), Taiwan Smart Agriweek, Women in Agribusiness Global Summit (New Orleans), Global Agrovet Research Conference (Dubai), EIMA International (Bologna)Read The Full Summary On The Latest Issue Of IGROW NEWSConnect with Us!Be sure go subscribe to our other shows:Vertical Farming Podcast: https://verticalfarmingpodcast.com/Greenhouse Success Stories: https://greenhousesuccess.com/Presented by iGrowNews.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/igrownews🎙️🎙️🎙️Discover the best podcast services in the world at The Podosphere: https://www.thepodosphere.com/Mentioned in this episode:2025 Precision Ag Report by iGrowNews2025 Precision Ag Report2025 Precision Ag Report by iGrowNews2025 Precision Ag Report

July 10, 202612 min

Bayer, Pivot Bio, John Deere, Nutrien, Ceres, AGCO, Trimble, Headwall Photonics, Agremo, Scoular

📺 Watch on YouTube and SpotifyWelcome back, listeners! In today's episode, we dive into the latest strides in AgTech — the H1 2026 state of play with $1.27 billion across 89 deals, Europe's first new herbicide active ingredient in over 15 years from Bayer, Pivot Bio's PROVEN 40 clearing EPA registration, John Deere's See & Spray surpassing 1 million acres, a WFFS strawberry virus spreading through 28 US states with no cure available, and Nutrien and Ceres putting AI agronomic support into 2,000-plus retail locations. Let's get started!Here’s a Quick Snapshot of What’s Making Headlines:Analysis: H1 2026 AgTech State of the Industry: $1.27B disclosed across 89 deals, robotics leads funding, partnerships dominate activity, Series A and B still squeezed, and a clear bifurcation between infrastructure plays and product companiesPartnerships: Nutrien and Ceres partner to deploy AI-powered agronomic decision support to Nutrien's 2,000-plus retail locations; AGCO expands its Trimble precision ag licensing deal to cover additional machine linesCrop Protection: Bayer receives EU authorisation for LASO, its first new herbicide active ingredient in Europe in over 15 years; Pivot Bio's PROVEN 40 receives EPA registration — first biological nitrogen product cleared at 40 pounds per acre ratePrecision Ag: John Deere See & Spray surpasses 1 million commercial acres treated; Headwall Photonics and Agremo integrate hyperspectral imaging with AI crop analytics for canopy-level nutrient and stress detectionGrain & Supply: Scoular publishes its 2025 sustainability report covering 2.5 billion bushels handled; AGT Food and Ingredients expands pulse protein capacity in Saskatchewan; Viterra completes integration of Gavilon grain assetsPlant Health: WFFS strawberry virus spreads to 12 additional US states — now present in 28 states with no curative treatment available; EPPO adds Potato Virus A to its A2 quarantine listFunding: Keenan Systems raises 12M euros to scale livestock feed management AI; BeeHero closes $10M Series B for precision pollination; Farmonaut raises $3M for satellite crop monitoring across emerging marketsEvents: Commercial UAV Expo (Las Vegas), Taiwan Smart Agriweek, Women in Agribusiness Global Summit (New Orleans), Global Agrovet Research Conference (Dubai), EIMA International (Bologna)Read The Full Summary On The Latest Issue Of IGROW NEWSConnect with Us!Be sure go subscribe to our other shows:Vertical Farming Podcast: https://verticalfarmingpodcast.com/Greenhouse Success Stories: https://greenhousesuccess.com/Presented by iGrowNews.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/igrownews🎙️🎙️🎙️Discover the best podcast services in the world at The Podosphere: https://www.thepodosphere.com/Mentioned in this episode:2025 Precision Ag Report by iGrowNews2025 Precision Ag Report2025 Precision Ag Report by iGrowNews2025 Precision Ag Report

July 3, 202613 min

Tropic, Rahan Meristem, Reservoir, Contain, Eurofins Agro Testing, Terraxy, Wa'ed Ventures, Africa Finance Corporation,

📺 Watch on YouTube and SpotifyWelcome back, listeners! In today's episode, we dive into the latest strides in AgTech — Tropic acquires Rahan Meristem to become the first fully integrated banana genetics company, Reservoir makes its first ever acquisition to own the financial data layer, the US government links soil health to biofuel pricing for the first time, the Supreme Court rules on Roundup, a dual-function rice gene opens new doors for climate adaptation, and BASF, ADAMA, and Burro each launch major new products. Let's get started!Here’s a Quick Snapshot of What’s Making Headlines:Big Story: Tropic acquires Rahan Meristem to become the first fully integrated banana genetics company — combining gene editing IP with commercial-scale tissue culture across Latin America, Asia, and the Middle EastM&A: Reservoir makes its first-ever acquisition, absorbing agri-finance platform Contain and naming founder Nicola Kerslake as General Partner; Eurofins Agro Testing acquires Czech lab Laborator PostoloprtyFunding: Terraxy raises $3M in a KAUST-backed Seed-2 round led by Wa'ed Ventures for desert soil regeneration in Saudi Arabia; Africa Finance Corporation arranges 108.3M euro sovereign facility for Togo's agricultural modernisationProducts: BASF launches Efficon insecticide in Egypt with novel Axalion Active ingredient; ADAMA launches Novali herbicide at the highest pyroxasulfone load available; Burro unveils Grande 44 autonomous field platformPolicy: President Trump signs Executive Order advancing precision agriculture; USDA releases Final Regenerative Feedstock Rule — the first federal mechanism linking on-farm soil practices to premium biofuel pricingLegal: US Supreme Court rules 7-2 for Monsanto in Monsanto v. Durnell — FIFRA preempts state failure-to-warn claims, effectively capping a decade of Roundup litigation exposure for BayerPartnerships: Fischer Farms partners with Seed Group for UAE and MENA vertical farming entry; Syngenta, McDonald's, and McCain sign a three-party MOU on China's potato supply chain; Ever.Ag deploys AI planning at Coles SupermarketsResearch: Chonnam National University identifies OsFeSOD3, a dual-function rice gene improving drought tolerance and chloroplast development simultaneouslyRead The Full Summary On The Latest Issue Of IGROW NEWSConnect with Us!Be sure go subscribe to our other shows:Vertical Farming Podcast: https://verticalfarmingpodcast.com/Greenhouse Success Stories: https://greenhousesuccess.com/Presented by iGrowNews.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/igrownews🎙️🎙️🎙️Discover the best podcast services in the world at The Podosphere: https://www.thepodosphere.com/Mentioned in this episode:2025 Precision Ag Report by iGrowNews2025 Precision Ag Report2025 Precision Ag Report by iGrowNews2025 Precision Ag Report

June 26, 202612 min

Tropic, Rahan Meristem, Reservoir, Contain, BASF, ADAMA, Burro, Monsanto, Bayer, Syngenta, McDonald's, McCain, Ever.Ag, Coles Supermarkets, Eurofins Agro Testing, Terraxy

June 19, 202613 min

CIBO Technologies, Indigo Ag, Flagship Pioneering, Terion, Ingredion, Nutrien, Sand County Foundation, Microsoft, Kellanova, Walmart, GROWMARK, NativState, Neeley Forestry Service, Vireo Growth,

📺 Watch on YouTube and SpotifyWelcome back, listeners! In today's episode, we dive into the latest strides in AgTech, featuring Flagship Pioneering's merger of CIBO Technologies and Indigo Ag's Source business into Terion, a new neutral AI data infrastructure company, NativState's forestry carbon acquisition, Munters exploring an exit from food tech, FMC and Corteva's $200 million herbicide licensing deal, and a regenerative agriculture awareness study that nearly doubled among US adults in a year. Let's get started!Here’s a Quick Snapshot of What’s Making Headlines:Big Story: Flagship Pioneering merges CIBO Technologies and Indigo Ag's Source business into Terion, a neutral AI data infrastructure company headquartered in Cambridge, MassachusettsM&A: NativState acquires Neeley Forestry Service, adding 200,000-plus acres and pushing its enrolled base past 950,000 acres; Vireo Growth signs all-share deal for C21 Investments and roughly 15 Nevada dispensariesDivestiture: Munters Group explores selling its FoodTech business, Speria, to focus on Data Center Technologies and AirTech — Evercore advising, no deal agreed yetVenture: Elanco launches a $25M corporate venture platform for animal health; Anterra Capital reaches $100M first close on Fund III; Ardian and Societe Generale launch a 100M euro nature-based solutions fundProduct: Intelinair launches AGMRI AI Agent for agronomic queries; OneSoil launches AI Agronomist serving 1.16 million users across 70 million hectaresCrop Science: FMC and Corteva sign supply and license deal for rimisoxafen, the industry's first dual mode-of-action herbicide, with a $200M prepurchase from CortevaPolicy: EU Parliament adopts new gene-editing rules splitting plants into NGT-1 and NGT-2 categories; USDA opens $125M Research Facilities Act applicationsCarbon & Research: eAgronom sells 29,000 Verra-certified soil carbon credits for 1.46M euros; Kiss the Ground study shows regenerative ag awareness nearly doubled among US adults in a yearRead The Full Summary On The Latest Issue Of IGROW NEWSConnect with Us!Be sure go subscribe to our other shows:Vertical Farming Podcast: https://verticalfarmingpodcast.com/Greenhouse Success Stories: https://greenhousesuccess.com/Presented by iGrowNews.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/igrownews🎙️🎙️🎙️Discover the best podcast services in the world at The Podosphere: https://www.thepodosphere.com/Mentioned in this episode:2025 Precision Ag Report by iGrowNews2025 Precision Ag Report2025 Precision Ag Report by iGrowNews2025 Precision Ag Report

June 12, 202612 min

AeroFarms, Goterra, Innovafeed, Leaf Agriculture, SWARM Engineering, Village Farms, ADM, Temasek, Bayer, Canada (government), Cibus, HiFe Plants, Nambawan, Orbia Netafim, Vanguard Renewables

📺 Watch on YouTube and SpotifyWelcome back, listeners! In today's episode, we dive into the latest strides in AgTech, featuring an analysis of why CEA consolidation will keep accelerating with 32 failures since 2022, AeroFarms acquired by a family office with a commercial-first pivot, Goterra's collapse raising hard questions about insect farming at scale, over $90 million in fresh funding, Canada's landmark $3 billion food security strategy, and a plant molecular farming breakthrough delivering a full daily iron intake in just 25 grams of engineered pea leaves. Let's get started!Here’s a Quick Snapshot of What’s Making Headlines:Analysis: The Ecosystem Imperative: 32 CEA companies have filed for bankruptcy or ceased operations since 2022 — the market is ruthlessly restructuring, with integrated ecosystems surviving and standalone operators trappedM&A: AeroFarms acquired by Palm Ventures affiliate with Kraft Heinz veteran as new CEO; Farm Supply Company and Grange Co-op announce merger; Pymwymic absorbs Triodos Food Transition Europe FundCollapse: Goterra enters voluntary administration — Australia's most-funded insect farm, previously valued at $55M, collapses citing a funding shortfall and deepening questions about insect farming's commercial viability at scaleFunding: Innovafeed closes 51M euros backed by ADM and Temasek; Leaf Agriculture raises $13M Series B; SWARM Engineering closes oversubscribed $10M Series A; Village Farms raises $15M; Sensie raises 500K euros pre-seedPolicy: Canada announces $3B National Food Security Strategy with $750M dedicated to year-round growing capacity — the most significant government commitment to CEA in Canadian historyInnovation: Seven product and patent milestones: Solis Capital carbon finance, T3Bioscience international patent, Meteomatics AI weather, Nambawan Thauma sweetener, Ostara fertilizer, NC State drone software, Gardin ALPHA IndexResearch: HiFe Plants shows 25 grams of engineered pea leaves can deliver 100% of a woman's recommended daily iron intake — advancing plant molecular farming for anaemia-affected populationsEvents: Commercial UAV Expo (Las Vegas, September 1st to 3rd), Taiwan Smart Agriweek (September 8th to 10th), Women in Agribusiness Global Summit (New Orleans, September 22nd to 24th), Global Agrovet Research Conference (Dubai, October 7th to 8th)Read The Full Summary On The Latest Issue Of IGROW NEWSConnect with Us!Be sure go subscribe to our other shows:Vertical Farming Podcast: https://verticalfarmingpodcast.com/Greenhouse Success Stories: https://greenhousesuccess.com/Presented by iGrowNews.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/igrownews🎙️🎙️🎙️Discover the best podcast services in the world at The Podosphere: https://www.thepodosphere.com/Mentioned in this episode:2025 Precision Ag Report by iGrowNews2025 Precision Ag Report2025 Precision Ag Report by iGrowNews2025 Precision Ag Report

June 9, 202641 min

Glyphosate Alternatives: Safer Weed Control for Farmers - with Frank Glatz - Managing Director, Contact BioSolutions

📺 Watch on YouTube and SpotifyEpisode DescriptionIn this episode of AgTech Digest, Sepehr Achard sits down with Frank Glatz, an environmental entrepreneur driven by the vision of revolutionizing weed management in agriculture. Discover the intriguing story behind Contact Bio Solutions, a startup that evolved from health science innovations to pioneering one of the market’s most potent bioherbicides. Learn how a unique delivery technology, originally formulated for supplements, is now changing the way weeds are controlled—offering high efficacy with natural ingredients and minimal environmental impact.Frank Glatz unpacks the challenges of regulatory landscapes across the globe, the role of advanced application techniques like magnetic spraying, and how these developments are making bioherbicides increasingly competitive with conventional chemical options. From global market entry strategies to eye-opening case studies in vineyards and orchards, this episode explores the intersection of sustainability, science, and entrepreneurship in agtech innovation.Tune in for a thought-provoking look at what it takes to bring a transformative solution to market, and get a glimpse of the future of agriculture through the lens of a passionate founder on a mission to make a difference—one weed at a time.5 Key TakeawaysUnlock the future of sustainable weed control—here’s what you need to do next:Evaluate bioherbicides like Firehawk Bioherbicide Super Concentrate as alternatives to chemical herbicides for more environmentally friendly agriculture.Explore advanced application technologies such as magnetic spraying to increase efficacy and lower cost per acre.Consider transitioning to nature-identical active ingredients with rapid biodegradability to eliminate withholding periods and reduce crop residue risks.Collaborate with companies developing innovative ag tech solutions and participate in case studies to measure ROI and long-term soil health benefits.Demand greater transparency and safer food production practices by connecting with ag tech leaders and advocating for policy changes in chemical herbicide use.Memorable Quotes"We are environmentalists that really want to bring to agriculture a better solution, so if you look at herbicides—the way they kill or desiccate the weeds—you’re not just doing that. You really impact the environment, waterways, residues in food, and potentially your own health.""Our belief is if you start from a nature-identical active ingredient, in our case a fatty acid we’ve eaten for thousands of years, the environment and our bodies are very familiar with these ingredients because they have been part of our ecosystem forever.""My vision for 2035 is a billion-dollar business offering a bioherbicide—in a $40 billion market, that’s just 2%—but we have that wonderful combination of a high-performing product that truly benefits consumers, users, and the environment in a very real way."Connect with FrankLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-glatz-961b5222/Contact Bio Solutions - https://contactbiosolutions.com/Resources MentionedNestlé - https://www.nestle.com/Beijing 2008 Olympic Games (referenced in context of organic waste diversion) - https://olympics.com/en/olympic-games/beijing-2008World Health Organization (WHO) - https://www.who.int/Harvard University (grounds using bioherbicides) - https://www.harvard.edu/Gabe Brown (Regenerative Farming Leader) - https://brownsranch.us/Regenerative Agriculture (Regeneration Movement, referenced in context of events/partners) - https://regenerationinternational.org/EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) - https://www.epa.gov/California DPR (Department of Pesticide Regulation) - https://www.cdpr.ca.gov/Glyphosate (commonly known herbicide, referenced for comparison) - https://www.bayer.com/en/agriculture/glyphosateParaquat (referenced as a herbicide) - https://www.epa.gov/ingredients-used-pesticide-products/paraquat-dichlorideConnect with Us!Be sure go subscribe to our other shows:Vertical Farming Podcast: https://verticalfarmingpodcast.com/Greenhouse Success Stories: https://greenhousesuccess.com/Presented by iGrowNews.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/igrownews🎙️🎙️🎙️Discover the best podcast services in the world at The Podosphere: https://www.thepodosphere.com/

June 5, 202612 min

Van der Ende Group, Hortispeed, Alpine Fresh, abbGrowers B.V., Munters, Optifarm, OCI Global, OCI Nitrogen, AGROFERT, Limagrain, European Investment Bank, Converge Bio, Gates Foundation, 701x, Ever.Ag

📺 Watch on YouTube and SpotifyWelcome back, listeners! This week on AgTech Digest, we're covering May's consolidation wave — three acquisitions, a landmark 300 million euro EIB financing for Limagrain, and the first USDA and EPA authorized field trials of an engineered microbial fertilizer, all alongside the Purdue barometer hitting its lowest farmer confidence reading on record. Let's get started!Here’s a Quick Snapshot of What’s Making Headlines:Analysis: May's M&A spring cleaning surge — 10 deals, defense and infrastructure players buying AgTech autonomy, early-stage VC evaporating in the US while Europe surges, and a 55% fertilizer price spike sending supply chain shockwavesInterview: Malaysian Palm Oil Council on sustainability and MENA food security — 3.3 tonnes per hectare yield efficiency, mandatory MSPO 2.0 certification, carbon stocks up to 60 tonnes of carbon dioxide per hectare, and palm tocotrienols as functional food ingredientsM&A: Van der Ende Group acquires Hortispeed's water treatment lines; Alpine Fresh merges with abbGrowers for year-round blueberry supply; Munters acquires Optifarm for AI livestock monitoring under SperiaFinance: OCI Global divests 50% of OCI Nitrogen to AGROFERT for 55M euros; Limagrain secures 300M euro EIB loan for plant genetics — one of the largest EIB agricultural financing packages on recordEarly Stage: Converge Bio receives $2.5M Gates Foundation grant for crop genomics AI; 701x closes oversubscribed $10M Series B funded entirely by regional ranchers without institutional VCInnovation: Ever.Ag expands Everett agentic AI into livestock and animal protein; Switch Bioworks initiates USDA and EPA field trials for engineered microbial fertilizer; Syngenta and Ascribe Bioscience sign exclusive PHYTALIX biofungicide agreement for Southeast AsiaMarket: Purdue/CME Ag Economy Barometer falls to lowest Current Conditions Index on record; Planet Tracker flags climate transition risks at Corteva, Mosaic, Nutrien, Syngenta Group, and YaraEvents: Food Innovate Summit (Amsterdam, June 9th to 10th), Greentech Amsterdam (June 9th to 11th)Read The Full Summary On The Latest Issue Of IGROW NEWSConnect with Us!Be sure go subscribe to our other shows:Vertical Farming Podcast: https://verticalfarmingpodcast.com/Greenhouse Success Stories: https://greenhousesuccess.com/Presented by iGrowNews.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/igrownews🎙️🎙️🎙️Discover the best podcast services in the world at The Podosphere: https://www.thepodosphere.com/Mentioned in this episode:2025 Precision Ag Report by iGrowNews2025 Precision Ag Report2025 Precision Ag Report by iGrowNews2025 Precision Ag Report

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