The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is taking steps to speed up progress in plant science by calling on universities and stakeholders to help build new AI tools that can translate the huge amount of germplasm data the agency collects. Through the Genesis Mission and the Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority (AgARDA), USDA is expected to launch an Agricultural National Science & Technology Challenge later this year. The Challenge will ask innovators to create practical solutions that pull together different types of information—like images, field data, and lab results—so scientists can quickly spot important plant and seed traits and develop crops that are more resilient and productive.
CHS, America’s leading farmer-owned cooperative, and OCP North America, a subsidiary of the OCP Group, are taking a major step to strengthen domestic fertilizer production in the United States. Through a proposed joint venture, the two companies are preparing to build and operate a phosphate fertilizer production facility at the Cornerstone Energy Park located in Waggaman, Louisiana. The new plant is expected to produce over 1 million metric tonnes of phosphate-based fertilizer annually and would be the first of its kind constructed in the United States since 1984. For more about the project, visit chsinc.com/FertilizerforAmericanFarmers or ocpna.com/FertilizerforAmericanFarmers
Ouster, Inc, a leader in sensing and perception for Physical AI, has announced that GUSS Automation, a wholly owned John Deere Subsidiary and a pioneer in autonomous high-value crop operations, plans to incorporate Ouster’s Rev8 OS0 native color digital lidar sensors, powered by the breakthrough L4 Ouster Silicon, into the next generation of its Autonomous Orchard Machine Fleet. The integration is expected to further expand machine capabilities while underscoring the role of advanced sensing technologies in helping autonomous agricultural machines operate in complex outdoor environments.
AGCO opened a new, expanded Parts Distribution Center in Visalia, Calif., on September 1, 2026, significantly increasing the range of parts stocked for farmers and dealers across the western United States. Located in the heart of West Coast agriculture, the modern facility replaces AGCO’s existing Visalia location and is designed to improve parts availability, accelerate delivery times and strengthen service for farmers and dealers across the western United States. A grand opening of the facility is planned for the first quarter of 2027.
Switch Bioworks, the deep tech pioneer programming microbes to solve humanity’s toughest manufacturing challenges, starting with nitrogen fertilizer produced on the plant root, announced the appointment of Gordana M. Djordjevic, Ph.D., PMP, as Chief Scientific Officer and Eric Bartels, Ph.D., to its Board of Advisors. These appointments arrive at a pivotal moment for Switch as the company expands its operations and advances its genetic-switch platform toward commercialization.
The new Case IH WD6 series windrower features a first-of-its-kind Relative Yield Mapping technology. Producers can now view a map of relative in-field yield variations while harvesting. This unlocked data is seamlessly viewable through Case IH FieldOps, providing actionable agronomic insights for year-over-year optimization. With Connectivity Included, producers can connect to FieldOps and access yield-specific data with no annual subscription costs.
Learnard Seed Services is celebrating 90 years of serving farmers across Vermilion County, Illinois, and surrounding areas, marking a milestone that reflects decades of trusted relationships, agronomic expertise and commitment to agriculture. To celebrate the 90-year milestone, the dealership is promoting the anniversary through apparel, advertising and a planned customer appreciation event later this summer.
Reinke Manufacturing, a global leader in irrigation systems and technology, has been selected as winner of the “Irrigation Innovation of the Year” award for the E3™ center pivot. The 7th annual AgTech Breakthrough Awards honors innovators driving sustainable solutions in the global agricultural and food technology markets today.
Camilla Corsi, Head of Crop Protection Research & Development at Syngenta, is the winner of the prestigious 2026 American Chemical Society (ACS) International Award for Research in Agrochemicals. The ACS Fall Meeting held a symposium in her honor to recognize her influential leadership and contributions to the discovery of the fungicide pydiflumetofen (ADEPIDYN® technology); the insecticides isocycloseram (PLINAZOLIN® technology) and spiropidion (TINIVION® technology); as well as the novel SDHI (succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor) nematicide cyclobutrifluram (TYMIRIUM® technology).
Biotalys announced the formal appointment of Dr. Carlo Boutton as Chief Executive Officer, following his successful leadership as CEO ad interim since March 2026.
