PowerPollen, an agtech company based in Iowa, has unveiled its latest technological advancement: autonomous pollination robots designed to address pollination challenges in crops like corn, wheat, and rice

The company's innovative technology focuses on preserving pollen for future use, which helps growers adapt to environmental challenges such as extreme weather and droughts, factors that can disrupt seed production.

Founded in 2015 by Jason Cope and Todd Krone, PowerPollen uses a patented method to store pollen, ensuring its viability for extended periods—a crucial advantage given that pollen can survive in the natural environment for only a short window, from five minutes to an hour. This preserved pollen can then be applied to crops when needed, improving the chances of successful pollination.

The company's autonomous robots, introduced during a field demonstration, are battery-powered and equipped with a precision sprayer, GPS for tracking, and machine vision to help navigate farm rows. These robots can operate in fleets and are adaptable to both large fields and smaller farms (down to five acres). This development opens up possibilities for future functionalities, as the robots can collect valuable data during pollination, further improving efficiency and accuracy.

As extreme weather events such as droughts or heavy rains impact pollination, PowerPollen’s robots allow farmers to apply preserved pollen during the key reproductive phase. This precision helps counter disruptions, ensuring that crops are properly fertilized despite adverse conditions.

PowerPollen’s expansion goes beyond corn; the company is actively working on wheat and rice hybrid seed production, aiming to make these crops more cost-effective and profitable for farmers. Despite a downturn in venture capital investments in agtech, the company continues to drive innovation, with €22.5 million in recent funding to support its future growth.

Jason Cope emphasised, "Venture capital money is a little allergic, if you will, right now to agtech, but agtech is a foundational aspect of how we feed the world."

In modern poultry production, the issue of runting—where chicks fail to grow properly—has become a growing concern with serious economic implications

 A recent study titled “Evaluation of microbial diversity, economic implication and level of awareness of possible causes of runting leading to hatchery condemnation in a commercial poultry hatchery hub” explores the impact of microbial diversity in hatcheries and how it relates to both bird health and financial performance.

The research, led by Adebiyi, Adeyemo, and Batubo, highlights the complex role of microorganisms in hatchery environments. Some microbes benefit developing chicks by supporting immunity and competing against harmful pathogens. However, if harmful microbes dominate, they can cause serious health issues, including runting. Understanding this balance is essential in protecting bird health and maintaining efficient hatchery operations.

One of the most striking findings of the study is the low level of awareness among hatchery managers about the causes of runting. This lack of understanding makes hatcheries more vulnerable to microbial contamination, which can lead to hatchery condemnations, lost income, and weakened supply chains. The researchers stress the importance of better education and training for hatchery staff to prevent these problems before they start.

“Some recent work is showing that excess calcium can exacerbate disease and pathogen challenges,” one quote from related research explains—a reminder of how multiple factors can contribute to disease susceptibility.

Runting doesn't just affect the birds themselves. It leads to higher mortality rates, reduced hatchability, and ultimately, condemned batches that cost businesses money. The financial toll includes not only the cost of lost production but also corrective efforts and possible reputational damage. Quantifying these losses, the researchers provide a clear picture of why proactive microbial management is essential.

The study also highlights the importance of biosecurity measures in protecting hatcheries. Clean environments, routine monitoring, and preventive protocols are essential tools for keeping harmful microbes in check. By focusing on prevention rather than cure, hatchery operators can avoid the pitfalls of microbial imbalance.

Emerging technologies like high-throughput sequencing allow hatcheries to better identify both beneficial and harmful microbes in their systems. These tools open the door to targeted interventions, improving both animal welfare and economic performance.

The authors also call for a collaborative approach. Hatcheries, scientists, and animal health experts must work together to create shared standards and improve industry-wide practices. With better understanding, tools, and teamwork, the poultry sector can tackle runting and build a more sustainable and resilient future.

In Vietnam’s rural heartlands, a new generation of farmers is transforming agriculture through technology.

At the centre of this shift is the use of agricultural drones from XAG, helping farmers save time, reduce labour, and improve crop yields—while offering young people a meaningful reason to return to their hometowns.

One such farmer is 30-year-old Lưu Văn Đoàn. After years of working far from home in a factory, Đoàn returned to Tiền Giang province and discovered drone technology through his brother. "I used to work at a factory far from home, barely earning enough and missing my family," he recalls. "I found my passion for technology. Soon I was piloting drones every day." Today, Đoàn earns his living offering drone-based crop protection services to fellow farmers—covering his own rice paddies and those in nearby communities.

His journey reflects a growing solution to Vietnam’s agricultural labour crisis. As rural areas age—home to nearly eight million elderly people—and younger generations migrate to urban jobs, many farms are left without support. Đoàn understands why. Traditional farming is physically demanding, especially when spraying crops manually. “Carrying heavy equipment under the hot sun, chemicals burning your skin—sometimes the fields were almost impossible to cross,” he remembers. Now, with a smartphone and the XAG P150 drone, he completes work faster and more safely. “It’s much easier,” he adds.

The XAG P150 has revolutionised Đoàn’s work. With a 70kg payload, precise RTK route planning, and consistent spraying capability, the drone ensures full coverage across different field shapes. "When spraying herbicides by hand, weeds sometimes persist," Đoàn says. "With drones, fields are often completely weed-free."

At first, farmers were sceptical. "The spray uses too little water—how will the rice grow?" they asked. But as they saw the results—healthier crops and fewer weeds—their views changed. The drone's powerful downdraft ensures pesticides reach both sides of the leaves, delivering better results. “You can clearly see that drone spraying makes the rice look healthier,” says Đoàn.

The benefits aren’t just visual. Farmers using Đoàn’s drone services cut pesticide use by 30%, making the service cost-effective. "The savings on pesticides cover what farmers pay for the drone service!" he explains. This aligns with findings from Vietnam’s Institute of Agricultural Economics, which report drones can reduce pesticide use by 30% and increase yields by 15%.

Precision is especially vital in Vietnam’s fruit export market, where residue limits are strict. Drones allow for careful mapping, accurate dosing, and even application, helping farmers meet global standards for crops like durian and jackfruit.

For Đoàn, drone farming has brought both a career and a sense of purpose. "Drones have made a huge difference for us," he says. "As things develop, I hope to expand, add more drones, and help more farmers succeed."

Vietnam’s next generation of farmers isn’t just returning to their roots—they’re reimagining them, one drone flight at a time.

Unitree Robotics, known for creating user-friendly and affordable robots, is now bringing its technology to farming.

As rural areas face a shortage of younger workers and an ageing labour force, many tech companies are turning to robotics and digital solutions to modernise agriculture. In line with this, Unitree has teamed up with a top agricultural research institution to explore how robots can support smarter, more efficient farming practices.

Traditionally, farmers have relied on their experience to judge the health and condition of crops. But modern robotics, powered by AI vision and edge computing, can now carry out these tasks more accurately and efficiently. These technologies also make farming more accessible for younger generations, who can become "robot managers" and take on farming roles without needing years of experience.

Unitree’s consumer-grade quadruped robot, Go2, is leading this change. Priced from just US$1,600, Go2 is affordable and well-suited to agriculture, thanks to its strong performance, adaptability, and ability to work in tough conditions. Farming environments pose unique challenges, such as varying lighting and ever-changing crop shapes, which demand advanced sensing and recognition abilities.

To meet these needs, Go2 has been equipped with a specialised camera and agricultural sensors that track the growth of seedlings in real time. It uses a custom AI vision model tailored for farming. This AI, supported by edge computing, allows the robot to analyse and identify plant conditions on the spot. The data collected is then sent to a central system, which uses agricultural big data to suggest specific farming strategies based on the crop’s growth stage.

This integrated setup, from the robot in the field to the cloud-based platform, helps reduce the physical burden on farmers. At the same time, it offers researchers detailed and frequent field data, helping to speed up scientific progress in agriculture.

As one industry observer noted, “civilian-grade robots, through deeper integration into agricultural environments, are opening up broader application prospects for advanced legged robotics.”

Unitree continues to develop high-quality legged and humanoid robots for the public. With practical tools like Go2, the company is helping to replace hard, repetitive, and risky work with smart automation-making farming more efficient and improving the overall quality of life.