New Holland CR11 wins Best Combine Harvester. (Image source: CNH)

CNH on 12 November, announced that its brands had won the most medals at the Farm Machine 2024 awards which took place at the Agritechnica show in Hanover, Germany

The NPP portfolio covers a range of applications, including increasing crop resilience, supporting crop nutrition, and improving soil health. (Image source: UPL)

Global provider of sustainable agricultural solutions, UPL on 16 November announced the opening of its Global Natural Plant Production (NPP) Research Centre in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico

This modern greenhouse with specialised equipment, will act as a hub for experienced researchers, fostering collaborations with local and international universities and research centres, and serving as a platform for agricultural knowledge and innovative solutions.

The extensive NPP portfolio covers a range of applications, including increasing crop resilience to disease, pests, and environmental conditions, supporting crop nutrition, and improving soil health, while reducing residues and environmental impacts.

"We are so proud to inaugurate the Global NPP Research Center today, this significant investment will continue to add value for growers and strengthen our focus on differentiated and sustainable solutions,” said CEO of UPL Corporation Ltd., Mike Frank. “This facility represents a significant milestone in advancing agricultural practices worldwide,” said Frank.

For more information, visit: https://www.upl-ltd.com

AI makes watering decisions based on the field environment. (Image source: NEC Corporation)

Kagome Co., Ltd., NEC Corporation and DXAS Agricultural Technology LDA have commercially introduced an agricultural ICT platform, ‘CropScope,’ to large-scale tomato fields in northern Italy and Portugal

The platform which combines AI farming advice and automatic irrigation control functions, is compatible with pulse drip irrigation, a cultivation method in which the amount of water and fertiliser required by a crop is given in many portions, and the optimum amount of soil moisture for the crop is maintained. 

By expanding the areas in which CropScope is introduced, the three companies aim to contribute to sustainable agriculture by promoting environmentally friendly and profitable farming. They have also confirmed reproducibility and are effectively responding to water shortages at farming sites, which are challenges faced around the world.

Results from a field trial of CropScope in northern Italy found that using the technology helped increase yield by about 23% with about 19% less irrigation, compared to a field that did not introduce the platform. It was confirmed that this system would produce good results even in new cultivation environments where climates, soil, etc. differed from those in the regions where CropScope was previously introduced. 

The three companies plan to incorporate the knowledge gained from this initiative into the machine-learning of CropScope, and to improve the accuracy of AI farming advice and strengthen solutions by repeating field trials and increasing reproducibility. In addition, DXAS will reinforce its support for agricultural management by spreading this service to the worldwide processing tomato market.

"Congratulations to CropScope and its cutting-edge technology, in collaboration with agronomist instructions, the platform has obtained meaningful results from this campaign in fields of significant size,” said CEO of Herdade do Caldas in Portugal, João Geada. “The industrial tomato crop is one of the most difficult to produce, especially in the current unstable farming environment, which is why the support provided by CropScope is so needed for daily control of fields.”

For more information, visit: https://www.nec.com

Lucent Bio founders announce US$3.6mn funding with Minister Sajjan and MP Weiler for innovative seed treatment technology. (Image source: Lucent BioSciences)

Agricultural technology company, Lucent Bio on November 7 announced that it had secured more than US$3.6mn for the development of their innovative seed treatment technology, Nutreos

Being a biodegradable and micro-plastic free seed coating, Nutreos is designed to promote strong germination, vigour, and crop establishment, supporting the transition of traditional agriculture inputs to sustainable alternatives.

The million dollar funding will be provided by the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada (PacifiCan) through the Business Scale-up and Productivity programme, earmarked to expedite the development of this technology. As Nutreos transitions from a lab concept to a field-ready product, the investment will expand its market to farmers globally, ensuring that it remains at the forefront of environmentally friendly seed treatment solutions for all producers. 

The expansion efforts aim to empower more farmers with a sustainable and effective method for promoting crop establishment and vitality. Following the announcement was the grand opening of Lucent Bio’s micronutrient fertiliser plant in Rosetown, Saskatchewan. 

“This initiative will enhance food security and climate resilience, making a lasting positive impact on our community and beyond. Were thrilled to be part of this visionary endeavour that aligns perfectly with our mission to pioneer sustainable agriculture solutions," said CEO and founder of Lucent BioSciences, Michael Riedijk.

For more information, visit: www.Lucentbio.com