BZ Media, Skylogic Research Release Drone Report

Kelly MarshallAgribusiness, drone

BZ Media LLC and Skylogic Research have announced the release of their report, “5 Valuable Lessons Learned About Drones in Agriculture.” This is the second white paper to be released in a series of critical examination of trends and strategies in the drone market. “A rising number of software vendors are targeting the agriculture space with increasingly useful solutions. And … Read More

TechAccel Invests Again in Benson Hill Bio

Kelly MarshallAgribusiness, Data

Benson Hill Biosystems is a St. Louis based company focusing on getting them most from the genetic potential of plants using data analytics. Technology Acceleration Partners (TechAccel) has made a recent investment in Benson Hill, making up a part of their recent drive to raise $25 million. TechAccel’s was also part of Benson Hill’s earlier fundraising efforts. “Benson Hill brings cloud biology … Read More

2017 Syngenta Crop Challenge Winner Announced

Kelly MarshallContest, Data, seed, Syngenta

A team from the BioSense Institute in Serbia has been selected as this year’s first-place winner of the Syngenta Crop Challenge in Analytics. Their winning entry provided a model that predicts the seed varieties growers in a specific region were likely to select. Oskar Marko, Sanja Brdar, Marko Panić, Isidora Šašić, Milivoje Knežević, Danica Despotović, Vladmir Crnojević and Zorana Djindjica … Read More

Pioneer Provides Proprietary Tech to Purdue

Kelly MarshallAgribusiness, Dupont Pioneer, Education, Phenotyping, Research

DuPont Pioneer has announced it will grant access of their proprietary phenotyping and ear photometry technology to Purdue University as part of a collaboration to support students in agriculture-related majors and plant science research. In addition, DuPont will sponsor the Henry Wallace Chair in Plant Sciences in the Purdue University College of Agriculture. “We could not be more excited to … Read More

Applications Open for Iowa AgriTech Accelerator Class

Kelly MarshallAgribusiness, Agtech

Iowa AgriTech Accelerator is accepting applications for startups wishing to participate in their 2017 class. Six, early-stage companies will be selected for the program, which offers mentor-led, in-residence opportunities for those with agriculture innovation ideas. “An accelerator’s core purpose is to find innovative companies that are just starting out and to find a way to accelerate their business far beyond … Read More

Seed Industry Takes Capitol Hill

Kelly MarshallASTA, Government

Members of the American Seed Trade Association are coming together to tell the story of the seed industry to members of Congress. Participants hope to highlight the 2017 ASTA priorities, including the need for a strong trade agenda, funding for key research and science programs through the USDA, the need to review the Food Safety Modernization Act, and policies that align with … Read More

Charlie O’Brien to Retire from AEM

Kelly MarshallAEM, Company Announcement

Charlie O’Brien will be retiring from his position of senior vice president at the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) later this year. O’Brien has been with AEM since 2007. He will be working with President Dennis Slater to begin phasing out of his position in order to spend more time with his family and a family business. “I care a … Read More

Robotics Aid in the Study of Corn

Kelly MarshallCorn, Research, Robot

Two years ago the National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded a $20 million grant to the University of Missouri to study corn root growth during drought. Thanks to that funding, engineers at Mizzou led by associate professor Gui DeSouze have created a robotic system to aid in the study of crops and plant composition. “I’ve been working with CAFNR (College of … Read More

New Website for CAPA

Kelly MarshallAg Group, Website

The Coalition to Advance Precision Agriculture (CAPA) is excited to present their new website, www.DiscoverPrecisionAg.org. CAPA is comprised of ag organizations, grower groups and agribusiness associations. Their goal is to facilitate communication between farm and agribusiness associations and government decision-makers in regards to all things precision agriculture. The new website will offer a valuable tool to promote science-based policy decisions … Read More

NutrientStar Provides Third-Party Review of Tools

Kelly MarshallAgribusiness, Nutrient Management

NutrientStar is an independent, science-based program that offers farmers reports and assessments of commercial nutrient management products and decision-making tools. The company launched a year ago at Commodity Classic and compares themselves to Carfax. Thus far nine tools have gone through their third-party review process, a process more and more farmers valuable. This new video features farmers from the Midwest explaining … Read More