Latest news with #AgTech
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Top Ag Tech & Food Innovation Stocks to Strengthen Your Portfolio
An updated edition of the May 22, 2025 article. The agriculture industry is experiencing a major transformation, driven by advanced technologies and groundbreaking innovations. As the global population continues to grow and climate change puts increasing strain on food systems, the need for sustainable, efficient and resilient farming practices has become more urgent than ever. In this evolving landscape, agricultural technology (AgTech) and food innovation are playing a pivotal role. These emerging solutions are revolutionizing how food is produced, helping to boost productivity, reduce environmental impact, and build a more secure and sustainable future for global is revolutionizing the way food is produced, processed and distributed, thanks to advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), biotechnology, and automation. These innovations are making agriculture smarter, more sustainable and increasingly efficient. Technologies such as precision farming, lab-grown meat, and plant-based alternatives are at the forefront of reshaping the food industry. Farmers and producers are turning to AI-driven analytics, robotics and automation tools to boost crop yields, reduce resource waste and streamline operations. Smart farming techniques enable precise planting, optimized irrigation and efficient harvesting, resulting in higher productivity with lower environmental impact. Companies like Hydrofarm Holdings Group, Inc. HYFM are embracing AgTech to deliver advanced growing solutions, helping cultivators maximize output while reducing their ecological farming, the global protein market is undergoing a profound transformation. Plant-based proteins, cultivated (lab-grown) meat and fermentation-derived protein products are emerging as healthier, more sustainable alternatives to conventional animal protein. These innovative protein sources are gaining momentum among health-conscious consumers and those concerned about environmental impact. Leading this evolution are companies like Ingredion Incorporated INGR, which is actively investing in plant-based ingredients and sustainable protein solutions to meet rising global demand. AgTech is playing a vital role in transforming the entire food supply chain. Emerging technologies like blockchain and the Internet of Things (IoT) are enhancing food traceability, boosting safety standards, and minimizing waste by optimizing logistics and distribution processes. At the same time, automation in food processing and packaging is enabling companies to deliver fresher, higher-quality products more efficiently, while significantly reducing operational the food industry continues to evolve, businesses that adopt these advanced technologies are gaining a competitive edge and positioning themselves for sustainable, long-term growth. For investors aiming to tap into the accelerating shift toward sustainable food systems, several top-performing stocks from our Ag Tech & Food Innovation Screen offer compelling opportunities. Industry leaders such as Beyond Meat, Inc. BYND, Hormel Foods Corporation HRL and Tyson Foods, Inc. TSN are driving this transformation by harnessing the power of agricultural technology and food innovation to fuel growth and enhance long-term 30 cutting-edge investment themes with Zacks Thematic Screens and discover your next big opportunity. Beyond Meat is doubling down on agricultural technology and food innovation to redefine the future of protein. By combining cutting-edge food science with culinary expertise, the company continues to develop plant-based meats that closely replicate the taste, texture and nutritional value of traditional animal products. This innovation-driven strategy aligns with evolving consumer preferences while addressing critical global challenges such as climate change, resource conservation and public Meat remains focused on clean-label product development and process efficiency. Its newest launch, Beyond Chicken Pieces, is a prime example. Crafted with avocado oil and offering 21 grams of protein per serving, the product reflects the company's commitment to simple, wholesome ingredients without compromising taste or performance. In the AgTech space, Beyond Meat is deepening its partnerships with farmers to promote sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices. These efforts are key to building a transparent, carbon-conscious supply chain that supports long-term environmental and economic resilience. The company's Devault, PA, manufacturing facility is another major step forward, representing its move toward production insourcing. Beyond Meat is expanding its global footprint to meet rising demand for plant-based protein across international markets. This Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company remains at the forefront of agricultural technology and food innovation. Its ongoing investments in sustainable product development, supply chain transformation and consumer health initiatives underscore its mission to drive the future of food through science, sustainability and bold innovation. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks hereHormel Foods is leveraging advanced digital technologies and AgTech solutions to streamline operations, boost efficiency and elevate food production standards across its value chain. By integrating real-time data analytics and automation, the company is optimizing everything from raw material sourcing to quality assurance and food safety. This digital-first strategy enhances transparency and traceability, empowering consumers with deeper insights into how and where their food is made. A key example is Hormel Foods' $1.7 million investment in regenerative agriculture across 50,000 acres in Minnesota. This initiative supports eco-friendly practices such as minimal tillage, crop rotation and cover cropping — efforts that promote soil health, conserve water, and sequester carbon, aligning closely with its environmental sustainability response to the rising demand for sustainable and plant-based proteins, Hormel Foods is expanding its innovation pipeline with a strong focus on alternative protein development. A significant milestone is its strategic partnership with The Better Meat Co., which is pioneering mycoprotein-based meat alternatives. This collaboration is centered on creating meat substitutes that replicate the taste and texture of traditional protein while reducing the environmental impact. By diversifying its protein portfolio with clean-label, plant-forward solutions, Hormel Foods is reinforcing its position as a progressive, health-conscious food Foods is also accelerating AgTech-driven efficiencies as part of its broader Transform and Modernize (T&M) initiative. The recently launched, strategically located Memphis distribution center is designed to improve inventory flow and reduce logistics costs. Simultaneously, the company is deploying smart automation and real-time analytics across its production network to boost operational performance, manage input costs and minimize disruptions. These combined efforts underscore Hormel's strategic focus on innovation, sustainability, and digital transformation — critical growth pillars that keep this Zacks Rank #3 stock well-positioned in today's rapidly evolving food Foods is actively transforming the food industry through strategic investments in agricultural technology and food innovation. With a strong commitment to sustainability and evolving consumer needs, the company is focused on initiatives that support sustainable protein production, digital transformation, and next-generation food solutions. These efforts position Tyson to remain competitive in a dynamic market while tackling global challenges such as climate change, food security and responsible resource use.A cornerstone of Tyson's innovation strategy is its investment in alternative protein development. The company has partnered with industry pioneers like Future Meat Technologies and Memphis Meats to expand into the cultured and lab-grown meat segment, supporting its goal to reduce the environmental footprint of conventional meat production. In addition, its Raised & Rooted plant-based line offers popular products such as meatless nuggets and burgers, designed to meet growing consumer demand for sustainable, high-protein, plant-forward foods. This dual-track approach—covering both plant-based and cellular agriculture — strengthens Tyson's ability to serve a broader, more health-conscious protein diversification, Tyson Foods is enhancing operational efficiency through digital innovation and automation. The company is overhauling its logistics infrastructure by shifting to fully automated cold storage facilities, expected to yield $200 million in annual savings by 2030 while lowering emissions and streamlining supply chain operations. At the plant level, Tyson has deployed advanced performance-tracking tools, resulting in significant improvements in line and labor efficiency. These integrated tech-driven strategies reflect this Zacks Rank #3 company's commitment to future-ready food production and reinforce its position as a leader in sustainable, innovation-led protein solutions. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Hormel Foods Corporation (HRL) : Free Stock Analysis Report Tyson Foods, Inc. (TSN) : Free Stock Analysis Report Ingredion Incorporated (INGR) : Free Stock Analysis Report Beyond Meat, Inc. (BYND) : Free Stock Analysis Report Hydrofarm Holdings Group, Inc. (HYFM) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research
Business Wire
25-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Triple Helix Releases Report: 'Catalyzing U.S. AgTech Innovation: Opportunities for the Federal Government'
WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Triple Helix Institute for Agriculture, Climate, and Society (Triple Helix), a nonprofit dedicated to building cross-sector awareness and engagement around agriculture technology (AgTech), today released its latest report Catalyzing U.S. AgTech Innovation: Opportunities for the Federal Government. The report, presented on Capitol Hill at a briefing supported by Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), describes opportunities for federal government action to support AgTech development as a vital component of America's agricultural competitiveness and prosperity. Congresswoman Budzinski stated, 'I'm excited to welcome Triple Helix to Capitol Hill as they lead the charge in advancing AgTech innovation.' Emerging innovations could transform U.S. agricultural productivity and resilience and need to be prioritized now to prepare us for generations to come. Share American dominance in agricultural innovation was historically driven by strong federal investment, in collaboration with research institutions and private sector actors. But decades of declining public sector support threaten U.S. agricultural leadership and national security. Today, both the EU and China significantly outspend the U.S. on agricultural research and development. With compounding challenges such as pests and diseases, extreme weather, and volatile supply chains, efforts to increase American agricultural resilience are critical. Emerging innovations could transform U.S. agricultural productivity and resilience and need to be prioritized now to prepare us for generations to come. Triple Helix's report is the culmination of an initiative to identify key inflection points in the U.S. AgTech pipeline where strategic federal support could drive growth. Through roundtable discussions held in New York, Illinois, California, and North Carolina, the organization gathered perspectives from academic researchers, startup founders, investors, commodity group representatives, farmers, and agribusiness leaders, among others. Stakeholders emphasized the federal government's crucial role across the U.S. AgTech ecosystem and stressed the need to close public sector support gaps in three key areas: Prioritizing proactive discovery-stage research and data accessibility Facilitating entrepreneurial translation and scale-up Building an efficient AgTech implementation ecosystem 'This report outlines actionable opportunities for the federal government to strengthen the U.S. AgTech innovation ecosystem,' said Dr. Sarah Garland, Founder and Executive Director of Triple Helix. 'Catalyzing the American AgTech sector requires effective collaboration across research, investment, and policy. Reestablishing and optimizing federal government leadership in this space is crucial.' 'I represent some of the best agricultural research institutions in Central and Southern Illinois and I've consistently fought for increased federal investment in the groundbreaking work our scientists do every day. Their research is essential to strengthening American agriculture, lowering food costs, improving nutrition, and supporting the farmers who power our economy. As Triple Helix highlights, staying at the top of agricultural technology is key to maintaining our global leadership in this vital sector," added Congresswoman Budzinski. To access the full report, please visit: About Triple Helix Triple Helix Institute for Agriculture, Climate, and Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to building cross-sector awareness and engagement around agriculture technology (AgTech). Led by scientists and rooted in evidence, Triple Helix presents an interdisciplinary and nuanced voice that is crucial for creating a more resilient future of agriculture. In a space often fraught with polarization and factions, Triple Helix emphasizes unity behind common goals and commitment to shared values. Triple Helix recently produced reports targeted at policymakers and investors on the topics AgTech for Biodiversity Conservation and AgTech for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions. These reports succinctly connect the dots between ambitious agricultural goals and various food and agriculture technologies that can help achieve them.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
US AgTech capital drought continues, dairy and solar sectors offer bright spots
By Mrinalika Roy (Reuters) -The U.S. AgTech sector is navigating a challenging investment climate. Yet, amid the funding downturn, some companies are carving out growth opportunities, particularly in the dairy and solar sectors. Macroeconomic headwinds, weak commodity prices and a sluggish agricultural cycle have weighed on funding and valuations in the agricultural technology sector that encompasses precision farming, biotech and data analytics, which help farmers grow food more efficiently. According to the latest PitchBook data, AgTech venture funding dropped to $1.6 billion across 137 deals in the first quarter of 2025, a nearly 25% decline in deal count and a 3.6% fall in capital compared to the previous quarter. "AgTech's challenges aren't unique. What we're seeing is part of a broader venture capital correction, particularly outside AI," said Tom Brennan, partner, McKinsey & Co. But precision farming, which uses data and tools including automation and robotics to farm more accurately, has managed to see robust investor interest, amid a labor shortage. On a trailing 12-month basis, precision agriculture registered $1.82 billion in deal value, with the 'robotics and smart field equipment' sub-sector seeing 48.5% value growth. "Roughly 40% of U.S. ag labor is likely undocumented," said McKinsey's Vasanth Ganesan. "This creates strong incentives for farmers to turn to robotics and automation." California-based Monarch Tractor has seen increased interest in its autonomous products, especially from dairy farms. "Our latest feature, autonomous feed pushing, has seen strong uptake, especially from co-ops like Dairy Farmers of America," said Monarch CEO Praveen Penmetsa. Another growth avenue for agtech firms is solar land management, which involves robotic tractors that maintain and service panels on solar farms without human intervention, demand for which is driven by U.S. utilities powering the AI data center boom. "We're already working with top North American solar developers and expect to announce major partnerships soon," Penmetsa said. Major players such as John Deere and Caterpillar are also increasing their presence in automation. "Big players entering the space signals strategic value. It suggests there's now a clearer path to exit — which was not always the case in AgTech," McKinsey's Ganesan said. Experts believe the capital markets will rebound in the second half of 2025, barring prolonged trade disruptions, benefiting established players that are ready to scale.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
US AgTech capital drought continues, dairy and solar sectors offer bright spots
By Mrinalika Roy (Reuters) -The U.S. AgTech sector is navigating a challenging investment climate. Yet, amid the funding downturn, some companies are carving out growth opportunities, particularly in the dairy and solar sectors. Macroeconomic headwinds, weak commodity prices and a sluggish agricultural cycle have weighed on funding and valuations in the agricultural technology sector that encompasses precision farming, biotech and data analytics, which help farmers grow food more efficiently. According to the latest PitchBook data, AgTech venture funding dropped to $1.6 billion across 137 deals in the first quarter of 2025, a nearly 25% decline in deal count and a 3.6% fall in capital compared to the previous quarter. "AgTech's challenges aren't unique. What we're seeing is part of a broader venture capital correction, particularly outside AI," said Tom Brennan, partner, McKinsey & Co. But precision farming, which uses data and tools including automation and robotics to farm more accurately, has managed to see robust investor interest, amid a labor shortage. On a trailing 12-month basis, precision agriculture registered $1.82 billion in deal value, with the 'robotics and smart field equipment' sub-sector seeing 48.5% value growth. "Roughly 40% of U.S. ag labor is likely undocumented," said McKinsey's Vasanth Ganesan. "This creates strong incentives for farmers to turn to robotics and automation." California-based Monarch Tractor has seen increased interest in its autonomous products, especially from dairy farms. "Our latest feature, autonomous feed pushing, has seen strong uptake, especially from co-ops like Dairy Farmers of America," said Monarch CEO Praveen Penmetsa. Another growth avenue for agtech firms is solar land management, which involves robotic tractors that maintain and service panels on solar farms without human intervention, demand for which is driven by U.S. utilities powering the AI data center boom. "We're already working with top North American solar developers and expect to announce major partnerships soon," Penmetsa said. Major players such as John Deere and Caterpillar are also increasing their presence in automation. "Big players entering the space signals strategic value. It suggests there's now a clearer path to exit — which was not always the case in AgTech," McKinsey's Ganesan said. Experts believe the capital markets will rebound in the second half of 2025, barring prolonged trade disruptions, benefiting established players that are ready to scale. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
CNA
20-06-2025
- Business
- CNA
US AgTech capital drought continues, dairy and solar sectors offer bright spots
The U.S. AgTech sector is navigating a challenging investment climate. Yet, amid the funding downturn, some companies are carving out growth opportunities, particularly in the dairy and solar sectors. Macroeconomic headwinds, weak commodity prices and a sluggish agricultural cycle have weighed on funding and valuations in the agricultural technology sector that encompasses precision farming, biotech and data analytics, which help farmers grow food more efficiently. According to the latest PitchBook data, AgTech venture funding dropped to $1.6 billion across 137 deals in the first quarter of 2025, a nearly 25 per cent decline in deal count and a 3.6 per cent fall in capital compared to the previous quarter. "AgTech's challenges aren't unique. What we're seeing is part of a broader venture capital correction, particularly outside AI," said Tom Brennan, partner, McKinsey & Co. But precision farming, which uses data and tools including automation and robotics to farm more accurately, has managed to see robust investor interest, amid a labor shortage. On a trailing 12-month basis, precision agriculture registered $1.82 billion in deal value, with the 'robotics and smart field equipment' sub-sector seeing 48.5 per cent value growth. "Roughly 40 per cent of U.S. ag labor is likely undocumented," said McKinsey's Vasanth Ganesan. "This creates strong incentives for farmers to turn to robotics and automation." California-based Monarch Tractor has seen increased interest in its autonomous products, especially from dairy farms. "Our latest feature, autonomous feed pushing, has seen strong uptake, especially from co-ops like Dairy Farmers of America," said Monarch CEO Praveen Penmetsa. Another growth avenue for agtech firms is solar land management, which involves robotic tractors that maintain and service panels on solar farms without human intervention, demand for which is driven by U.S. utilities powering the AI data center boom. "We're already working with top North American solar developers and expect to announce major partnerships soon," Penmetsa said. Major players such as John Deere and Caterpillar are also increasing their presence in automation. "Big players entering the space signals strategic value. It suggests there's now a clearer path to exit — which was not always the case in AgTech," McKinsey's Ganesan said. Experts believe the capital markets will rebound in the second half of 2025, barring prolonged trade disruptions, benefiting established players that are ready to scale.
