Agtech Seedlings is a weekly roundup of the latest in agriculture technology news, digging into venture funding, product announcements and other innovation milestones. Have news to share? Email us here.
Ever.Ag teams with Amazon’s AWS on AI-enhanced crop tool
Software developer Ever.Ag is working with Amazon Web Services to bring new features to its FieldAlytics platform by leveraging generative artificial intelligence.
FieldAlytics, a comprehensive agronomy and farm management tool, will introduce enhanced crop growth modeling and imagery change detection bolstered by AWS’ SageMaker machine-learning services, the companies said Monday.
This collaboration is set to deepen AWS’ capabilities across Ever.Ag’s suite of products and foster smarter, data-driven agricultural practices.
“By combining our agronomic expertise with AWS’s computational prowess, we’re unlocking unprecedented opportunities for farmers to enhance yield, sustainability, and efficiency,” Mike Moore, head of Ever.Ag Agribusiness, said in a statement.
Origin Agritech develops GMO corn breakthrough
Origin Agritech has developed a high-yield, inbred line of corn with higher productivity than traditional varieties, the China-based company said Wednesday.
During two years of trials, the genetically modified corn showed a yield increase of 50% compared to the company’s original line of corn. This advancement is a milestone in Origin’s efforts to address food security challenges with innovative technologies.
“The significant increase in yield potential heralds a new era in corn production, offering a sustainable solution to meet the growing global demand for food,” Gengchen Han, chairman and CEO of Origin, said in a statement.
The company plans to fully integrate the genetically modified trait into its commercial corn by the end of 2024. A common method of corn development is by inbred, or purebred, selection.
Bayer and Lavie Bio extends biologicals partnership for second year
Lavie Bio, a biologicals developer, is extending its joint validation trials with Bayer AG after a successful first year of laboratory and greenhouse testing of its products.
The companies on Tuesday said they hope to build on their initial findings, which have demonstrated the efficacy of Lavie Bio’s biofungicides in addressing destructive diseases that affect fruits and vegetables worldwide.
“Biofungicides are a real opportunity for innovation, and we are looking forward to the new solutions this partnership with Lavie Bio helps us deliver together,” Benoit Hartmann, Head of Biologics at Bayer Crop Science, said in a statement.
AgBoost scales genetic software for cattle producers
AgBoost, a genomic data analysis firm that helps cattle producers make improved breeding and marketing decisions with data from DNA tests, is expanding its platform for commercial use, the Oklahoma-based company said Monday.
Breeding decisions have traditionally been based on visual appraisals or outdated records. AgBoost, founded in 2013, combines genomic and production data to create a digital resource that grades individual animals based on various traits. These traits include average daily gain, milk production, and taste.
Currently, AgBoost has data from more than half a million animals, uploaded by producers via DNA tests, on its platform with plans to move beyond cattle to hogs, deer and other animal species.
It’s a way for cow-calf and seedstock operators to showcase the quality of their genetics and better market their animals, Sean Akadiri, founder and CEO of AgBoost, said at the World Agri-tech Innovation Summit in San Francisco.
“We help them tell their story with our platform,” Akadiri said.
Compeer Financial partners with Bushel on wallet software
Farm lender Compeer Financial and Bushel, a software company focused on the agricultural supply chain, announced the addition of Bullet Wallet to Compeer’s services, making it easier to digitally access and manage lines of credit through the mobile app.
Through Bullet Wallet, farmers and other users will be able to view their Compeer account balances and accrued interest, make payments directly in the app, transfer funds from external bank accounts and other features, according to a news release.
While paper checks are still the leading payment method used by farmers, representing 65% of business transactions, trends are pointing to more online and digital interactions, according to the 2024 Bushel State of the Farm Report.
This is part of a broader effort by Compeer, the third largest cooperative in the Farm Credit System, to offer a better digital experience for its customers.