March - April 2022
Double bounce back The Biostimulants World Congress returned as a live in-person event 29 Nov-2 Dec 2021 in Hollywood, Florida, and in a digital format the following week, 6-7 December. Here, a synopsis of the event.
Two new EBIC members / Moira Capital acquires 45.5 percent of Biorizon Biotech / Elicit Plant raises €16 million / Éléphant Vert acquires Lipofabrik / Corteva Agriscience Canada launches Utrisha N / Valent BioSciences creates biostimulant operating unit / NutriAg launches M-BOS in Canada / Nurspray available for use in Ukraine / Mosaic, BioConsortia expand nitrogen fixing microbial products to Asia markets
Sea6 Energy Sea6 Energy is unusual in producing a plant biostimulant from red seaweed grown in tropical waters. New AG International spoke to Sowmya Balendiran, co-founder and chief business officer, who provided insight into the company.
Plant extracts on the move There is great potential for the use of natural compounds – “plant extracts” – in agriculture, as evidenced not only by ongoing research, but by the introduction and use of new biological products in agriculture created by these plant extracts. Janet Kanters reports.
Pioneering possibilities for copper reduction in organic viticulture Producers remain under pressure to use less copper but, with few real and effective alternatives available, are dependent on the active ingredient for downy mildew control. A special report by Certis Europe.
Helping farmers fight PCN in Kenya / Tiny mite fights Australian swamp Stonecrop / Smart soil bugs an ecofriendly route to controlling crop diseases / Biocontrol lab opened in Jamaica / Device sniffs out "smell-fingerprints" of pestered plants / Plant Response acquired by The Mosaic Company
Artificial pollination: A ‘blooming’ industry Pesticides, land clearing and changes in climate are linked to declines in the number of pollinator species. Janet Kanters reports on some new ways of pollinating plants.
Rise of the machines Farmers continue to clamour for autonomous machinery/robots at an increasing rate, especially in broadacre crops. Trevor Bacque highlights some companies that are leading the charge when it comes to autonomy. Picking a winner One of the winners of the Innovation Award at the Biostimulants World Congress in Miami in December 2021, Picklogger is a tool that goes beyond just linking a fruit to a particular orchard – it links a fruit to a particular tree. The other benefits extend far down the supply chain, explains Erik de Vries, joint CEO of Agri Technovation, the company that developed the device. Luke Hutson writes.
Digital revolution in agriculture Carlos Becco has written his first book published in Spanish: "La revolución digital del agro". He told New AG International he is in the process of having it translated into English. In the meantime, we asked him a few questions about the book.
Silal to deploy IoT sensors in 100 farms / Carbon Robotics unveils new LaserWeeder / Olds College, Wyvern collaborate to improve sustainability via satellite / UK tech partnership to launch cloud-free imaging service
Flying high with foliars Since 1990, ADOB has grown into a world leading supplier of water-soluble fertilizers and chelated trace elements. New AG International speaks with Adam Nawrocki, who founded the company, to learn about the company’s trajectory and why in some cases it is the only producer in the world of a particular product.
Off track The line-up of projects for Australia’s first sulphate of potash (SOP) production used to be described as a race. But despite commissioning underway in one of them, it seems the front runners have stumbled out the blocks. Luke Hutson reports. Prime cuts How gene-editing technology could feed the search for bioherbicides. Leonardo Gottems reports.
Koch Agronomic Services targets new markets with enhanced efficiency portfolio Koch Agronomic Services has expanded its offering in recent years, particularly in the key growth region of Latin America. Normally associated with nitrogen stabilizers, the company’s activities are now extending deep into other enhanced efficiency fertilizers, such as coating fertilizer granules with micronutrients. Luke Hutson spoke with the Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa (LAMSA) team to find out how Koch is playing a much larger role in enhanced efficiency fertilizers.
Sea urchin fertilizer trials underway / CABI launches Crop App Index / Early warning system to alert greenhouses of fungi attacks / FarmSense developing of biosecurity measures against native and invasive pests / Soil diagnostic tools target sustainable farming solutions / SABIC and Intrinsyx Bio sign technology collaboration agreement / Hello Nature, MPS Egg Farms invest in specialty fertilizer manufacturing plant / Tessenderlo Group plans new organic fertilizer production line in France.
Kurita providing the cure Blockages in micro-irrigation systems are a drag on the return on investment for any grower. Although it is tempting to add another push-in, it does not help to cure the problem. And that’s where U.S. water company Kurita America comes in, supplying water treatment products to the domestic agricultural market, some of which are for post-harvest. Luke Hutson spoke to the Kurita America team.
Natasha Rankin named new Irrigation Association CEO Natasha Rankin is the U.S.-based Irrigation Association (IA) new chief executive officer, assuming her role on 10 January 2022. Rankin took over the CEO role from Deborah Hamlin who retired. Rankin spoke with Janet Kanters on her new role with the IA.
Saltier groundwater damages almonds, but less than previously feared / Study: Mobile drip irrigation results in high yields / High-clearance robotic irrigation system study / Mottech and Viridix collaborate to provide autonomous irrigation solution.
Core business The agricultural sector in Poland has enjoyed strong growth in the last two decades. Poland’s growth in fruit exports has been driven by increased apple production in particular. New AG International reviews how Poland’s agriculture has changed in the past two decades.
Defining moment In this first issue of 2022, we start a series on what we are calling “Great Debates in Agronomy”. In this issue, we go to the heart of the matter – what is a plant nutrient? To get answers, we speak with Professor Patrick Brown from UC Davis.
New seeds deposited to Svalbard vault / Adding mineral to irrigation may lower toxic elements in soils / Cover crops help squash squash their pathogens / Crops that make their own nitrogen / Kula Bio raises $50 Million to accelerate deployment of nitrogen biofertilizer.
Biofertilizer market report
Sackett-Waconia turns 125
Regional report – Italy
Great Debates in Agronomy
Special Feature on SCRSFs