Bayer backs retrofit autonomy as row crop margins collapse
Sabanto closes oversubscribed Series B led by Leaps by Bayer, validating retrofit autonomy as OEM alternative when farm economics force smaller-equipment strategies.
Dealer networks form AI coalition as precision ag shifts control
Vi by visorPRO's inaugural ViNE Event brought five major farm dealerships together to coordinate AI adoption, signaling a structural shift in how precision agriculture technology reaches farmers.
CNH invests €21M in R&D simulation hub to cut tractor dev time
CNH inaugurated a €21M dual R&D facility in Modena combining virtual simulation and automated logistics to compress agricultural equipment development cycles and scale precision farming tech.
Salin 247 plants autonomous machine in certified-organic corn at Rodale
Salin 247 deployed an autonomous planting machine in certified-organic corn trials at Rodale Institute, marking the first time autonomous row-crop equipment has operated under organic certification constraints.
Agtech shifts from data collection to autonomous farm action
Agtech startups raised $1.4B YTD as AI deployment moves from predictive to agentic, autonomous systems closing the loop between digital insight and physical farm action, signaling consolidation over IPOs as the exit path.
USDA launches national proving grounds network for agtech validation
USDA announced the National Proving Grounds Network for AgTech on April 7, 2026, with $2M seed funding and Grand Farm as national program manager — a federal infrastructure play to validate AI and digital agriculture tools before farmers invest.
USDA Creates Federal Farm-Testing Network for AgTech
USDA launched the National Proving Grounds Network for AgTech on April 7, 2026, with Grand Farm as operator and $11M in secured funding. It is the first federally-backed proving ground system for precision agriculture in U.S. history.