Switch Bioworks, a biotechnology company focused on sustainable fertilizer, announced the launch of field trials of its novel microbial fertilizer, with authorization from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Microbial fertilizers use living microbes to pull nitrogen from the air and deliver it to crops, offering farmers an alternative to traditional chemical fertilizers made from natural gas. Switch’s technology is a new-in-class solution that centers on a genetically encoded switch that solves a fundamental energy problem that has long limited the performance of microbial fertilizers.
BarnTools announced the launch of Barn360, a biosecurity platform that expands the BarnTools connected farm system into real-time biosecurity enforcement for swine and poultry operations. The launch marks a significant expansion of BarnTools’ role in livestock production. Already trusted for real-time monitoring across critical farm systems, including feed, water, power, temperature, and environmental conditions, BarnTools now brings biosecurity into the same connected operational view.
A new 2026 AgbioInvestor study on behalf of CropLife International shines a spotlight on the complex journey of bringing new crop protection products to market. Drawing on the most recent data from leading industry players, the report highlights the significant time, investment, and scientific effort required to develop modern agricultural solutions.
Farmers for Soil Health, the farmer-led initiative launched in 2022 to double cover crop acres on U.S. farmland by 2030, has reopened enrollment for 2026 with increased per-acre payments and a simplified one-year contract designed to remove barriers for growers. Enrollment is open May 1 through Aug. 31.
Yamaha Agriculture announced a new herbicide attachment, developed and manufactured by Yamaha Agriculture partner, Croplands Equipment for Prospr, introducing weed-control capability to the high-performance autonomous hybrid vehicle platform for orchards and vineyards. Designed to integrate seamlessly with Prospr, the new attachment extends automation across a wider range of orchard and vineyard tasks and will be showcased at Hort Connections 2026 in South Australia.
