Technology: Page 11

  • Infrastructure for Owl's Hatch Solar Park, one of the UK's largest solar projects, provides power to around 14,000 homes.
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    Carl Court via Getty Images
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    Energy firms, ag groups and allies reach deal to advance solar farms

    The parties are working to address a variety of land use challenges, including the conversion of farm acres, wildlife habitats and tribal interests.

    By • Oct. 16, 2023
  • Deere's CEO is seen delivering a speech with a large picture of a tractor behind him.
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    Ethan Miller via Getty Images
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    Tracker

    Agriculture conferences and events to watch going into 2024

    Technology, regulation and the shift to sustainable and regenerative farming are expected to be among the hottest topics at next year's biggest trade shows.

    By • Oct. 13, 2023
  • Eden Green
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    Courtesy of Eden Green Technologies
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    Eden Green breaks ground on $40M expansion as it plots network of indoor farms

    The company is growing production capacity and bringing on a new CFO to meet demand after others in the vertical farming industry struggled to find their footing.

    By • Oct. 10, 2023
  • Bonsai
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    Courtesy of Bonsai Robotics
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    Bonsai raises $13.5M to bring autonomous vehicles to orchards

    To address labor shortages, the software developer’s latest technology allows farmers to operate their heavy equipment from their phones even in remote areas.

    By • Oct. 9, 2023
  • A herd of cows roam on a lush, green dairy farm.
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    Sandra Mu via Getty Images
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    Deere teams with 2 companies on digital precision agriculture tools for sustainability

    The partnerships aim to help farmers track livestock and fertilizer data so they can make smarter business decisions that are better for the environment.

    By • Oct. 5, 2023
  • Veggie cutlet is grilled for veg burger. Vegetarian products from plant-based meat concept, beyond kitchen background. High quality photo
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    Uladzimir Zuyeu
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    Q&A

    Cargill alt-protein chief talks approach to plant-based and cultivated meat

    Elizabeth Gutschenritter discusses the challenges that come along with a new and growing category and which fast-food spot would be part of her last meal.

    By Elizabeth Flood • Oct. 4, 2023
  • A farmer uses Agco equipment and technology to manage the fields.
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    Courtesy of Agco Corp.
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    Agco to acquire majority of Trimble agriculture assets for $2B

    The milestone deal would create a complete suite of precision agriculture technologies to address the needs of next-generation farmers.

    By • Updated Oct. 4, 2023
  • Close-up stock photograph showing a touchscreen monitor on which a woman’s hand is asking an AI chatbot pre-typed questions.
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    Laurence Dutton via Getty Images
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    This AI chatbot can help predict supply chain disruptions at farms

    Cersi, a virtual analyst introduced by agtech startup Helios, can be used by large food companies to manage commodity risks in the face of climate change and market volatility. 

    By • Oct. 3, 2023
  • Sorghum grows in the fields.
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    Courtesy of S&W Seed Co.
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    S&W Seed products could supply 10% of US sorghum acreage next year

    The company is generating stronger sales for its seeds as it charts a path toward continued growth.

    By • Sept. 28, 2023
  • A man in a trucker hat holds a bag of Pivot Bio Product that he pours into equipment.
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    Courtesy of Pivot Bio
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    Pivot Bio expands leadership with former Syngenta, Hormel execs

    With more farmers seeking alternatives to traditional fertilizers, the startup is building out its C-suite to accelerate growth.

    By • Sept. 27, 2023
  • Strawberries ripen on the vine.
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    Courtesy of Bayer AG
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    Bayer enters the strawberry market with UK acquisition

    NIAB’s strawberry breeding program allows the biotech giant to develop a wide range of genetics and crop protection products.

    By • Sept. 27, 2023
  • The Biotech Innovation Center at the Sapiens Parque innovation park in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina is slated for completion next year.
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    Courtesy of JBS S.A.
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    JBS begins work on lab-grown meat center in Brazil

    The Biotech Innovation Center, slated for completion next year, builds on the meatpacker’s effort to expand its portfolio and become a force in the growing cultivated protein sector.

    By • Sept. 25, 2023
  • A combine is displayed outside of Deere's Harvester Works factory where it is manufactured in East Moline, Illinois.
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    Tim Boyle via Getty Images
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    Deere lays off more than 200 workers in Illinois

    The agriculture equipment said it's balancing its production workforce with the needs of its Harvester Works factory in East Moline.

    By • Sept. 22, 2023
  • Indoor microgreens grow at an Aerofarm facility.
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    Courtesy of Aerofarms, Inc.
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    Aerofarms emerges from bankruptcy fully funded and with a new CEO

    The once cash-strapped vertical farming company is making changes to position itself for growth as competitors struggle amid economic uncertainty.

    By • Sept. 19, 2023
  • Pile of grape pomace at California compost facility, mountains in background
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    Karine Vann/Agriculture Dive
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    USDA urged to change ‘out-of-date’ definition for compost

    Composters worry the decades-old definition leaves modern facilities and compostable products out of compliance.

    By Jacob Wallace • Sept. 19, 2023
  • A rendering of Steakholder Foods' planned future facility: A large open room with windows. Three large bioreactors in the middle, with smaller ones, 3D printers and storage drawers arranged around.
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    Courtesy of Steakholder Foods
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    Food tech venture capital deal sizes decline for the first time in seven years

    Despite the drop, the number of investments increased to 268 in the second quarter as activity rebounded following the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank in March, according to a PitchBook report.

    By Elizabeth Flood • Sept. 19, 2023
  • Corn grows in a damaged field in Illinois.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Corteva develops more sustainable pesticide aimed at nematodes

    The active ingredient is designed to target the parasitic worms without damaging the soil while having a positive effect on greenhouse gas emissions.

    By • Sept. 18, 2023
  • BioBetter opens new facility
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    Retrieved from BioBetter on September 12, 2023
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    BioBetter opens molecular farming plant using tobacco to help grow cultivated meat

    The Israeli startup created a manufacturing platform for producing growth factors using tobacco plants as self-sustained, animal-free bioreactors.

    By Elizabeth Flood • Sept. 18, 2023
  • A drone is seen on the ground at the edge of a farm field
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    Courtesy of Guardian Agriculture
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    Former Tesla engineer joins Guardian Agriculture as farm drone maker ramps up production

    The company is set to make its first deliveries to customers later this year following approval from the Biden administration.

    By • Sept. 15, 2023
  • Agco plans to build a 300-acre smart farm to test and develop precision and retrofit technologies.
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    Courtesy of Agco Corp
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    Agco to build ‘smart farm’ advancing ag tech research

    The 300-acre operation plans to create a "truly sustainable farm" by encouraging development of precision agriculture technologies and advanced retrofit solutions for existing equipment.

    By • Sept. 15, 2023
  • A Chipotle worker scans an RFID tag on a box as part of a growing traceability initiative
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    RFID on food packaging gains traction amid safety and waste concerns

    A tracking system traditionally used for nonperishable items could become more common on certain types of packaging ahead of future traceability requirements from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

    By Leslie Nemo • Sept. 15, 2023
  • Fertilizer pellets made from discarded cocoa shells have the potential to lower carbon emissions and reduce supply chain waste.
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    Courtesy of Nestlé
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    Nestlé, Cargill team to create low-carbon fertilizer from cocoa shells

    The two-year trial could replace a fourth of Nestlé UK’s conventional fertilizer use for wheat, lowering carbon emissions and bringing the companies closer to their regenerative agriculture goals.

    By • Sept. 14, 2023
  • A view from a silver catwalk of Upside Foods' bioreactors in its EPIC facility and the stairs and walkway for people to access the tops of the machines.
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    Courtesy of Upside Foods
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    Upside Foods announces first large-scale production plant for cultivated meat

    The company selected the Chicago metro area as home for its next phase of growth.

    By Elizabeth Flood • Sept. 14, 2023
  • A dairy cow is seen standing on grass
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    Pierre Crom via Getty Images
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    Dairy industry teams with cybersecurity group to beef up defenses

    As cyber crimes become more prevalent, the International Dairy Foods Association joins other food companies in efforts to share information and bolster protections.

    By • Sept. 12, 2023
  • Josh Tetrick speaks into a microphone standing in front of a wall-sized image featuring pieces of Good Meat chicken.
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    Courtesy of Eat Just
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    Eat Just’s cultivated meat division fails to pay $30M worth of invoices

    The company’s Good Meat subsidiary is working to reach a settlement with bioreactor specialist ABEC, a source said.

    By Elizabeth Flood • Sept. 12, 2023