Ag movers & shakers for Nov. 2025: Bayer, NatureSweet make CFO appointments
The November edition of AgTechNavigator’s movers & shakers column features personnel appointments from Bayer, NatureSweet, and Micropep Technologies
Biologicals
Syngenta bets on amoeba-powered biofungicide to fight Europe’s wheat diseases
The crop protection giant has partnered with French biotech Amoéba to bring a next-generation biological to EU and UK farmers – aiming to tackle septoria and yellow rust while easing resistance pressure and regulatory constraints
Rhizocore’s £4.5m funding fuels expansion of fungal tech for tree growth
Scottish biotech Rhizocore Technologies is using tailored fungal networks to boost tree survival and growth. With fresh funding, the company plans to scale production and expand into North America’s vast forestry market
EPA greenlights Biotalys’ EVOCA – but Europe still lags
As the US moves to approve the world’s first protein-based biofungicide, Biotalys’ flagship product remains in Europe’s regulatory pipeline. Is cautious oversight holding back innovation?
Biopesticides on the rise: Pamela Marrone maps the future of sustainable crop protection
New study outlines how biologicals are reshaping pest management; why Brazil is leading the charge, and what other markets can learn
Start-up profile
Rooted in change: Ostara’s phosphate breakthrough is catching big ag off guard
Despite phosphate fertilisers being a staple of global agriculture, their inefficiency and environmental toll have long gone unchallenged. US-based Ostara is rewriting the rules with a root-activated, water-insoluble alternative – but its rapid rise has...
Bolstering demand for biologicals: Alltech invests in growth strategy with $4.6m plant
Biological adoption continues to rise, with Alltech tapping into market demand in the U.S., Brazil, and other countries
Unlocking crop protection access could help revive Europe’s farming workforce
ECCA urges EU to remove barriers to post-patent plant protection products PPPs, arguing it will boost farm profitability, sustainability – and attract younger farmers
Treating soybean cyst nematode: Indigo Ag launches Biotrinsic Nemora FP
Indigo Ag expanded its Biotrinsic portfolio with Nemora FP and is leveraging its seed treatment device Clips to boost biological adoption
Biofungicide start-up Ascribe Bio closes $12m Series A round to support global rollout
Ascribe Bio is nearing regulatory approval for its biofungicide in Brazil and the U.S. and will use funds from a Series A round to support the launches
Biologicals aren’t just ‘the flavor of the month:’ Summit Agro taps into growing demand
Ag biologicals overpromised and under delivered in the past, but ag companies like Summit Agro are changing that dynamic by demonstrating the potential of biological chemistries to improve plant health and yields
EU biopesticide reform gains momentum as crop protection groups unite to demand fast-track regulation
Industry leaders express cautious optimism as the European Commission signals intent to overhaul crop protection rules, potentially unlocking faster access to biopesticides and post-patent products
What Corteva’s split means for the future of its seed, crop protection businesses?
Corteva joins a growing list of companies that believe going alone is better than sticking together
Listening, learning, and linking innovation to UK real-world needs
The UK Agri-Tech Centre aligns its efforts with the UK’s industrial strategy, focusing on four to five key areas where technology can address pressing agricultural challenges, explains its engagement director Helen Brooks
Improving nutrient efficiency: Loveland Products releases Extract XC for crop residue
Loveland Products’ microbial-based input Extract XC is providing farmers a way to store crop nutrients for next year’s season
Sustainable September
Lucent Bio readies Brazil expansion, following research paper release
Lucent Bio is continuing its commercialization push beyond Canada with the help of recent research, as the agtech company looks to close its Series A round by the end of the year
Moa Technology poised to crack bioherbicide conundrum after uncovering new weed control category
The UK company says it sees real potential in cracking the “super tough conundrum” of bioherbicides after announcing the discovery of chemistries that could form an entirely new category of crop protection product
Ag movers & shakers for August 2025: Ceradis, Groundwork BioAg, Switch Bioworks make executive appointments
August 2025 was another big month for executive news across the agriculture industry, with biotech companies Groundwork BioAg, Switch Bioworks, and Ceradis appointing executives, while Corteva made a legal appointment and Redox Bio-Nutrients reinforced...
Organic fertilizer: Windfall Bio achieves OMRI certification for flagship product
Methane-eating microbes (MEMs) are converting climate-harming gas into beneficial fertilizer
Duplomb Law controversy in France ‘illustrates lack of awareness’ of bioinsecticides
Farmer fury at the decision not to lift pesticide restrictions is a symptom of the lack of awareness of alternative solutions to neonicotinoid insecticides, claims bioinsecticide company Eden Research
Why are US farmers struggling to adopt sustainable ag?
Can legislation like the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and an upcoming Farm Bill be the key to a more sustainable ag sector in the US?
Private equity ‘uniquely placed’ to unlock value from biologicals boom, says Ambienta
Venture capital alone can’t scale and commercialise innovation in the biocontrol sector, says the asset manager after its acquisition of Spanish biological crop solutions platform Agronova
Biostimulants start-up Agrobiomics eyes market launch after EIC funding
The “snake oil” days of biostimulants are well and truly over says Danish bio-ag firm Agrobiomics after sealing up to €7.5 million in blended finance from the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator programme
ProGro Bio plans expansion into biocontrol market, seeks EPA approval
ProGro Bio is moving into the fungicide and pesticide market, pending EPA approval of its Rhizol product for use as a biocontrol, as the company begins to fundraise for its Series A round
Argentinian biologicals start-up Puna Bio prepares for expansion with Series A round
Puna Bio is deploying fresh capital to fuel market and product expansion, including the development of a cost-effective biofertilizer for African farmers
Micropep nabs former Indigo, Syngenta exec for CEO role, eyes commercialization ramp up
Micropep Technologies tapped an ag veteran with more than 20 years of experience to lead the company’s growth strategy, as it inches closer to releasing its first commercial product
World Agri-Tech South America Summit 2025
SP Ventures unpacks the macroeconomic factors shaping agtech in Latin America
Latin America’s agtech sector is capitalizing on changing global trade dynamics, as Brazil is nearly a year away from its next presidential election that could breathe new life into the region’s start-up ecosystem
‘There are so many things we can do with this’... Terrana Biosciences to unleash RNA-based crop protection
Flagship Pioneering – the US company behind RNA-based vaccine maker Moderna and ag trailblazers Indigo and Inari – has unveiled Terrana Biosciences after four years in stealth. Its RNA platform has a host of potential applications in agriculture, Terrana...
EU support for bio-based pest control in food production
The Cropsafe project, created by Norwegian biorefinery owner Borregaard, has received €4.9 million in funding from the EU’s Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) to develop bio-based solutions for pest control in potatoes, tomatoes and bananas
World Agri-Tech South America Summit 2025
Brazilian biologicals start-up Symbiomics closes Series A round with Corteva’s help
Seed and crop protection company Corteva eyes biologicals growth in Brazil, as ag biologicals start-up Symbiomics closes its Series A for an undisclosed amount of money and advances the use of biologicals in the region
Spin-out unveils carbon nanodot tech to ‘unlock full potential’ of RNA-based crop protection
Carbon nanodot technology is poised to make RNA-based biopesticides and other active ingredients more effective, believes a British spin-out
World Agri-Tech South America Summit 2025
Brazil’s agtech revolution: Biologicals, regen ag, adoption hot topics for World Agri-Tech day 1
Innovative technologies, government action and a willingness to embrace change are crucial to accelerating Brazil’s sustainable agriculture industry
Pivot Bio reports biologicals usage uptick in 2024 impact report
Usage of Pivot Bio’s biologicals grew in 2024, reducing synthetic fertiliser dependence and associated environmental impacts, like nitrate leaching
Upcoming at the World Agri-Tech South America Summit – 7 speakers to whet your appetite
Now in its fifth year, the event returns to São Paulo on June 24-25 where 700 leaders from across the global agtech landscape – including agribusinesses, cooperatives, start-ups, investors, government agencies, and technology leaders – will discuss the...
Adama puts the case for chemical inputs after ‘breakthrough’ in fungicide innovation
As crop protection company Adama introduces a new mode of action for cereal fungicides, we asked the company about the challenge of developing synthetic chemical solutions amid the growing demand for sustainable crop protection solutions with reduced...
Jord BioScience unveils data ‘proving biologicals impact potential’
By understanding how microbes, as living entities, work in the soil to enhance or detract from each other, Jord BioScience says it is creating solutions that have a superior win-rate in the field
GreenLight Biosciences claims ‘significant’ breakthrough in its bioherbicide development pipeline
RNA technology can control hard-to-kill weeds and be paired with conventional herbicides to enhance efficacy while reducing overall toxicity, herbicide load and farmer costs
Puna Bio secures Series A as Corteva Catalyst enters LATAM
Argentina-based biologicals start-up Puna Bio has announced that after “years of hard work, research, and dedication” it has closed its Series A, with Corteva Catalyst making its first foray into the region.
WATCH: Trump administration creating ‘uncertainty’ for ag biologicals, says Biotalys CEO Kevin Helash
Biologicals players often complain that regulatory processes are slowing growth in this sector. There are fears that is set to worsen amid Trump’s deep cuts to the federal workforce.
WATCH: Enko’s Tom Meade explains how AI can make better ag biologicals
AI was a big theme of the recent World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit in San Francisco, where attendees heard realistic discussions about how to put AI to best use in agriculture.
Spain start-up gets €35M to develop RNA-based biopesticides
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed a loan of up to €35 million with GreenLight Biosciences España to support research and production of ribonucleic acid interference (RNAi)-based biocontrols.
Agroecology: How introducing natural flora can still protect yields
Agroecology - a means of integrating more sustainability and nature into agricultural practices – does not need to be at the expense of yields, provided the right data and expertise is followed.
Jord BioScience gets $7M to develop microbial solutions for ag
US-based Jord BioScience, which provides customisable microbial solutions for agriculture, has announced the closing of its Series B round.
Can the AgList launch cure the scepticism surrounding biologicals?
Biologicals are one of the largest opportunities in agriculture, says the co-founder of AgList.com – the new online platform launched by popular podcast the Modern Acre which allows farmers to discover and endorse the wealth of ag biologicals entering...
Syngenta and TraitSeq team up to accelerate biostimulant R&D
Syngenta and AI company TraitSeq are combining forces to use AI for the development of innovative, high-performance biostimulants.
Sound Agriculture gets $25M to expand its synthetic fertiliser replacements
US-based Sound Agriculture has spun out its plant epigenetics platform and completed a $25 million extension of its Series D raise.
Tie-up aims to create market-leading platform for crop nutrition in US
Tie-up aim aims to create market-leading platform for crop nutrition in US
‘Obvious nature-friendly solution’: Cattle used to control invasive species in UK trial
Farmers are using animals to control bracken without chemicals while saving costs and restoring habitats, in a new on-farm trial by Innovative Farmers.
Indigo Ag and Truterra reveal tie-up to tackle industry ‘pain points’
Indigo Ag and Truterra’s new strategic collaboration is aimed at simplifying, expanding and accelerating the adoption of ag sustainability solutions.
Study says organic inputs can boost rice yield and cut nitrogen losses
Integrating organic and inorganic fertilisers can improve eco-efficiency and sustainability in rice cultivation, which could hold significant implications for rice growers in mid-latitudes.