Latest news with #precisionfarming
National Post
5 days ago
- Business
- National Post
BinSentry Raises $50 Million to Modernize Animal Feed Supply Chains with AI-Powered Sensor Technology
Article content Lead Edge Capital backs BinSentry's cutting-edge sensor technology and software platform as the global agriculture industry moves toward automation and precision-driven solutions Article content Investment comes as BinSentry expands global footprint and agriculture industry seeks smarter, more cost-effective ways to streamline feed operations and improve profitability Article content Article content KITCHENER, Ontario & AUSTIN, Texas — BinSentry, a technology company helping major agriculture enterprises optimize feed supply chains through AI-powered sensors and real-time monitoring, today announced a $50 million Series C funding round led by Lead Edge Capital. This investment will support the acceleration of BinSentry's global expansion, following a year of extraordinary performance and growth. Article content BinSentry combines AI-powered sensors and proprietary software to bring real-time visibility and automation to the animal feed supply chain. Its solar-powered, self-cleaning sensors monitor on-farm feed levels with 99% accuracy, eliminating the need for manual inventory checks and preventing costly feed outages. Paired with a mobile dashboard, the technology allows feed mills and large agricultural businesses to better forecast demand, reduce waste, and improve profitability. BinSentry supports some of the leading animal agriculture companies in North America and Brazil, including Cargill, Wayne-Sanderson Farms, and Hanor. Article content 'We've been closely monitoring parts of the agriculture supply chain that have historically been underserved by software in anticipation of large agricultural companies needing better tools for cost savings, forecasting, and operational efficiency,' said Aaron Darr, Principal at Lead Edge Capital. 'BinSentry is exactly the kind of company we look for: a proven business with real customer traction using AI, real-time data, and automation to solve critical problems. As the agtech sector matures, companies like BinSentry with strong fundamentals and clear ROI are best positioned to lead the next wave of innovation.' Article content BinSentry's technology turns data into actionable insights that enhance process control, reduce transportation costs and lower feed conversion ratios for increased profitability. By improving visibility across the supply chain with BinSentry's technology, large agriculture companies can address challenges such as feed waste, feed outages, inaccurate data, and misaligned budgets. Earlier this year Cargill and BinSentry formalized a partnership to make Cargill the exclusive distributor in Brazil of BinSentry's animal feed inventory management platform. The company is growing 100% YoY with a 0% customer churn rate and currently monitors over 40,000 bins across North America and Brazil. Article content 'At BinSentry, our mission is to bring innovation, precision and visibility to one of agriculture's most overlooked but critical challenges: feed logistics,' said Ben Allen, CEO of BinSentry. 'Our best-in-class sensors ensure large agricultural companies, feed mills, and their customers get the right feed at the right time, every time. With the support of our investors, we're continuing to expand globally and offering our customers flexible options like a lifetime product warranty and no upfront costs. We're proud to partner with Lead Edge Capital as we continue helping some of the largest agricultural companies in the world operate more efficiently, safely, and profitably.' Article content Paul Bell, a seasoned operator and former executive committee member at Dell, will join BinSentry's Board of Directors. With decades of experience leading global operations and supporting growth-stage technology companies, Paul brings deep expertise in scaling businesses and navigating enterprise partnerships. Article content Biotech and precision agriculture investment segments have led agriculture tech investment funding in 2025, drawing the most capital due to ongoing demand for innovation in automation, data-driven solutions, and crop improvement. Market research indicates the global agtech sector is expected to grow from approximately $15 billion-$17 billion in 2021 to $28 billion-$33 billion by 2026, reflecting a 10%-12% CAGR over five years. Article content About BinSentry Article content BinSentry is focused on providing solutions for the agriculture supply chain that help increase efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance profitability. As a leader in the use of artificial intelligence, BinSentry offers technology solutions that pair best-in-class optical sensors with user-friendly software to provide our customers with enhanced forecasting and decision-making capabilities. With our technology, feed mills and protein producers are enhancing feed ordering efficiency, raising healthier animals, improving employee safety, reducing their environmental footprint and – most significantly – uncovering new savings. Today, BinSentry is monitoring more than 40,000 bins in real time across North America. When it comes to the future of agricultural supply chain management, BinSentry is leading the way. Article content About Lead Edge Capital Article content Lead Edge Capital is a $5 billion growth equity firm investing in software, internet, and tech-enabled businesses globally. The firm has invested in a number of major software and internet companies around the world, including Alibaba Group, Arrive Logistics, Asana, Azul Systems, Bazaarvoice, Benchling, Clearscore, Duo Security, Grafana, GrowthZone, Holistiplan, LeanStaffing, LiveView Technologies, Pacemate, Safesend, Signal Sciences, Tempo, Toast, Wise, and YouSign. One of the main drivers of Lead Edge's success is its unique investor base, a network of 700+ executives, entrepreneurs, and dealmakers who have built and run some of the world's most successful companies. In addition to providing flexible capital, Lead Edge leverages this global advisory group to connect portfolio companies with the customers, partners, talent, and advisors needed to accelerate growth. Lead Edge Capital was founded in 2011 and has offices in New York City, London and Santa Barbara. Article content Article content
Globe and Mail
02-07-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Agriculture Goes High-Tech: Four Drones Stocks Flying High in 2025 (ZENA, UAVS, CNH, AVAV)
The agriculture drone market is exploding. Valued at 6.1 billion dollars in 2024, it is expected to nearly quadruple to 23.8 billion dollars by 2032, growing at a compound annual rate of 18.5 percent. This rapid expansion is driven by rising demand for precision farming tools that improve efficiency, reduce chemical use, and increase crop yields. Advances in drone technology, AI, and supportive regulations are making drone-powered crop monitoring, spraying, and data analysis practical and cost-effective for farms of all sizes. With such strong growth underway, it makes sense to pay attention to companies leading the charge in agricultural drones. Let's look at four stocks worth watching in this fast-moving sector. ZenaTech, Inc. (Nasdaq: ZENA) is positioning itself as a leading force in the precision agriculture drone market by combining autonomous drone hardware with advanced AI software and a scalable Drone as a Service business model. Its wholly owned subsidiary, ZenaDrone, designs and manufactures multifunction drones used across agriculture, defense, logistics, and inspection sectors. ZenaTech's flagship agricultural drone, the ZenaDrone 1000, is a medium-sized vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) quadcopter capable of lifting up to 40 kilograms. The platform recently received FAA Part 137 approval, allowing the company to commercially conduct crop spraying operations—including pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, fertilizers, and seed distribution—across the United States. This regulatory milestone unlocks significant domestic revenue potential while paving the way for expansion into Europe. CEO Shaun Passley, Ph.D., commented, 'FAA Part 137 approval now enables our team to finish final testing and commence sales of our agriculture solutions. Drones offer a more precise, efficient, cost-effective, and safer alternative to traditional methods.' ZenaTech's Drone as a Service (DaaS) model offers flexible subscription and pay-per-use options, giving farmers access to drone technology without the upfront investment, pilot certification, or regulatory burden. In May 2025, the company opened a European headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, to support its agricultural drone operations in a market projected to grow at 28.6 percent annually and reach $43.2 billion by 2032, according to Market Data Forecast. Passley added, 'The expansion of our Dublin office marks a new chapter in our strategy to scale our drones and DaaS offerings globally while servicing the fastest-growing agricultural drone markets located in Europe.' Beyond agriculture, ZenaTech has acquired six U.S. companies to strengthen its drone-enabled services in land surveying and powerline inspection. These moves create operational synergies across verticals and accelerate adoption of its autonomous platforms. With the global agriculture drone market expected to grow from $6.1 billion in 2024 to $23.78 billion by 2032, ZenaTechis well positioned to capitalize through its FAA-certified hardware, expanding DaaS footprint, and international rollout. AgEagle Aerial Systems (NYSE: UAVS) has been a precision agriculture and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) pioneer since its founding in 2010. The company designs and delivers professional-grade fixed-wing drones, sensors, and software solutions serving customers in agriculture, energy, construction, and government. In Q1 2025, UAVS reported net income of $7.06 million, reversing a $6.32 million loss from the prior year. Gross margin improved to 58.5 percent from 50.2 percent, while operating expenses fell nearly 28 percent—reflecting stronger execution, increased drone sales, and financial discipline. The company has remained active on the regulatory front, participating in FAA discussions around Rule Part 108, which could enable broader Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations. CEO Bill Irby emphasized that this regulatory evolution will unlock more commercial drone use across agriculture and other industries. Technologically, UAVS partnered with Ascent AeroSystems to integrate the RedEdge-P multispectral camera into the rugged Spirit UAV platform—enhancing precision and efficiency for farm applications. It also teamed up with India-based Vyom Drones to license manufacturing and expand into one of the world's fastest-growing agricultural drone markets. With a return to profitability, regulatory momentum, and new strategic partnerships, AgEagle is well positioned to ride the accelerating growth of drone-enabled agriculture. Investors looking for scale in precision agriculture might also consider CNH Industrial (NYSE: CNH), a global machinery leader integrating automation across tractors, sprayers, and harvesters. Through brands like Case IH and New Holland, CNH is deploying AI-driven spraying systems and sensor-laden harvesters to optimize crop inputs and yields. While Q1 results reflected soft demand—with revenue down 21 percent and ag EBIT off 64 percent—the company's ongoing tech innovation and global footprint suggest potential upside once the cycle turns. Meanwhile, AeroVironment (NASDAQ: AVAV) provides exposure to drone systems from a national security angle. With $820.6 million in 2025 revenue and $1.2 billion in bookings, AVAV maintains a strong backlog. However, its agricultural exposure is minimal, and its recent $750 million equity raise may weigh on short-term performance. As agricultural innovation accelerates, the market is shifting toward platforms that combine autonomy, analytics, and accessibility. While industrial giants and defense players bring scale, focused firms like ZenaTech and AgEagle are delivering end-to-end precision agriculture solutions purpose-built for this moment. For investors seeking exposure to one of the fastest-growing applications of drone technology, these names offer compelling, targeted entry points. Disclaimers: RazorPitch Inc. "RazorPitch" is not operated by a licensed broker, a dealer, or a registered investment adviser. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investment advice. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides investors a safe harbor in regard to forward-looking statements. 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It is possible that an investor's investment may be lost or impaired due to the speculative nature of the companies profiled. RazorPitch has been retained and compensated by ZenaTech Ltd. to assist in the production and distribution of content related to ZENA. RazorPitch is responsible for the production and distribution of this content. It should be expressly understood that under no circumstances does any information published herein represent a recommendation to buy or sell a security. This content is for informational purposes only; you should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice. Nothing contained in this article constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement, or offer by RazorPitch or any third-party service provider to buy or sell any securities or other financial instruments. 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Globe and Mail
30-06-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
DE or CNH: Which Equipment Maker Deserves a Spot in Your Portfolio?
Deere & Company DE and CNH Industrial N.V. CNH are two leading global players in agricultural machinery, with Deere holding the top spot. In addition to their strong agricultural portfolios, both companies also have significant footprints in the construction equipment market. Both DE and CNH stocks offer investors exposure to long-term megatrends such as precision farming, automation and infrastructure development. However, with the ongoing weakness in both the agricultural and construction markets, as well as tariff concerns, the question is which stock you should put your hard-earned money on. To find out, let us dive into the fundamentals, growth prospects and challenges for both Deere and CNH Industrial to help identify the better pick for your portfolio. The Case for Deere Deere, known for its iconic green tractors, has a market capitalization of $139 billion. It specializes in agricultural, forestry and turf equipment, and has a strong presence in precision farming technology and construction equipment. However, DE has faced headwinds, with revenues declining for seven consecutive quarters and earnings slipping in the last six, due to lower volumes in both the agriculture and construction businesses. Weak farmer sentiment, subdued by soft commodity prices, high input costs and elevated interest rates, has dampened demand for agricultural machinery. Trade uncertainty and high interest rates curtailed order activity for both construction and compact construction equipment. Deere anticipates a challenging industry outlook to persist in fiscal 2025, particularly in the large agriculture equipment market in the United States and Canada, which is expected to decline 30%. The small agriculture and turf equipment market in the United States and Canada is projected to decline 10-15%. European agricultural markets are expected to decline approximately 5%, while South American agricultural markets are forecast to remain flat. The Asia market is expected to be down slightly. Construction equipment demand is similarly under pressure. Deere expects a 10% drop in U.S. and Canadian construction equipment sales, with compact equipment down 5%. While infrastructure spending remains a tailwind, trade uncertainty and high interest rates are pressuring order activity for both construction and compact construction equipment. Global forestry equipment is forecast to be flat to down 5%, while the global roadbuilding market is expected to remain flat. Over the long term, Deere is well-positioned for growth, underpinned by consistent investments in innovation and geographic expansion. The company remains focused on revolutionizing agriculture with technology in an effort to make farming automated, easy to use and more precise across the production process. Focus on launching products with advanced technologies and features provides it a competitive edge. The company just launched its large-size H Series forestry machines, designed to elevate productivity and fuel efficiency. These machines integrate enhanced hydraulic systems, an industry first. The Case for CNH CNH Industrial, with a market capitalization of approximately $16 billion, operates well-known agricultural equipment brands such as New Holland, Case IH and STEYR (in Europe). It also offers a full range of construction equipment under the CASE and New Holland Construction brands. Like Deere, CNH has faced persistent challenges, with revenues declining for seven consecutive quarters and earnings falling over the last five. The downturn has been more severe in its Agriculture segment, where sales have been down for seven straight quarters, while the Construction segment has posted declines over the past five quarters. For 2025, the company anticipates continued weakness in both segments. Global demand for agricultural equipment is expected to decline by 5–10% in 2025, while the Construction segment sales are forecast to fall by 4–15%. Overall, CNH expects its 2025 net sales to decline between 11% and 19% compared with 2024. Despite these near-term pressures, CNH is making strategic strides in automation, autonomy, digital integration, alternative fuels and electrification to strengthen its presence in the precision technology space. Its recent product launches, particularly in tractors and combines, feature in-house digital systems that improve operational efficiency and enhance the company's competitive position. In 2024, around 80% of CNH's precision components were developed internally, a figure expected to grow in 2025. The company is expanding its lineup of factory-installed tech solutions and increasing adoption of proprietary retrofit kits, which should support market share gains and improved margins over time. How Do Estimates Compare for DE & CNH? The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Deere's fiscal 2025 earnings is $18.82 per share, indicating a year-over-year fall of 26.54%. The 2026 estimate implies growth of 17.13%. While the estimates for fiscal 2025 have moved down, the same has moved up over the past 60 days. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CNH Industrial's 2025 earnings is 62 cents per share, indicating a year-over-year decline of 41%. The estimate for 2026 implies a rise of 37%. EPS estimates for both 2025 and 2026 have been trending south over the past 60 days. (Find the latest EPS estimates and surprises on Zacks Earnings Calendar.) DE & CNH: Price Performance & Valuation Comparisons Year to date, DE stock has gained 21.2%, outperforming the Zacks manufacturing - farm equipment industry's 19.7% growth. CNH has, however, lagged both at 15%. Both DE and CNH stocks have outperformed the Industrial Products Sector's rise of 3.2% and the S&P 500's 4.4% gain. DE & CNH's YTD Performance Against Industry, Sector & S&P 500 Deere is currently trading at forward 12-month earnings multiple of 24.49X, higher than its five-year median. CNH Industrial stock is currently trading at forward 12-month earnings multiple of 17.71X, higher than its five-year median. CNH stock is also trading at a discount to the industry average of 22.80X, the sector's 19.45X and the S&P 500's 22.31X. DE or CNH: Which Stock Deserves a Spot in Your Portfolio? Both companies are facing near-term headwinds, reflected in their recent earnings results, downward estimate revisions and expectations for continued softness in upcoming quarters. Sluggish demand in both the agriculture and construction sectors continues to weigh on performance. However, looking long-term, both stocks are fundamentally tied to global megatrends such as rising food demand, advancements in agricultural technology and increased infrastructure investment. Both Deere and CNH Industrial currently have a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), which makes choosing one stock a difficult task. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. From a valuation standpoint, CNH appears more attractive currently, boasting a cheaper valuation and a Value Score of B compared with DE's Value score of D. Zacks Names #1 Semiconductor Stock It's only 1/9,000th the size of NVIDIA which skyrocketed more than +800% since we recommended it. NVIDIA is still strong, but our new top chip stock has much more room to boom. With strong earnings growth and an expanding customer base, it's positioned to feed the rampant demand for Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Internet of Things. Global semiconductor manufacturing is projected to explode from $452 billion in 2021 to $803 billion by 2028. See This Stock Now for Free >> Deere & Company (DE): Free Stock Analysis Report CNH Industrial N.V. (CNH): Free Stock Analysis Report
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture Market to Reach USD 12.8 Billion by 2032, Driven by Climate-Smart Practices and Yield Optimization AI Tools
The market is growing due to increased adoption of AI tools for crop monitoring, predictive analytics, and climate resilience. Pune, June 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture Market Size Analysis: 'The SNS Insider report indicates Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture Market size was valued at USD 1.8 billion in 2023 and is estimated to reach USD 12.8 billion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24.34% between 2024 and 2032.' The U.S. Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture Market was valued at USD 0.5 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 3.4 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 24.03% during 2024–2032. Due to early adoption of tech, substantial investment in agri-research, and the mass adoption of AI-powered precision farming tools. Support from the federal government over the next decade, investment in smart farming, deployment of autonomous machinery, and, most importantly, sustainability-focused agri-tech investment will kick-start future a Sample Report of Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture Market@ Major Players Analysis Listed in this Report are: IBM Corporation – Watson Decision Platform for Agriculture Microsoft Corporation – Azure FarmBeats Deere & Company – See & Spray Trimble Inc. – Trimble Ag Software AGCO Corporation – Fuse Smart Farming BASF SE – xarvio Digital Farming Solutions Corteva Agriscience – Granular Insights Bayer AG (Climate LLC) – Climate FieldView Raven Industries, Inc. – VSN (Visual Guidance System) Prospera Technologies – Prospera Crop Monitoring Taranis – Taranis Precision Scouting Gamaya – Gamaya AI Crop Intelligence PrecisionHawk – PrecisionAnalytics Agriculture AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. – MicaSense RedEdge Sensor Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture Market Report Scope: Report Attributes Details Market Size in 2023 US$ 1.8 Billion Market Size by 2032 US$ 12.8 Billion CAGR CAGR of 24.34 % From 2024 to 2032 Base Year 2023 Forecast Period 2024-2032 Historical Data 2020-2022 Key Segments • By Component (Hardware, Software, Services)• By Technology (Machine Learning & Deep Learning, Predictive Analytics, Computer Vision)• By Application (Precision Farming, Drone Analytics, Agriculture Robots, Livestock Monitoring, Labor Management, Others) Key Growth Drivers AI is boosting productivity and resource efficiency in farming to meet growing global food demand. Do you have any specific queries or need any customization research on Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture Market, Make an Enquiry Now@ By Component: Software Segment Dominated, Hardware Fastest Growing The software segment dominated the market in 2023 and accounted for 55% of revenue share, due to the large requirements for AI-embedded devices (such as smart sensors, edge devices, and embedded chips in manufacturing equipment). Such components are similar to the hardware aspect of a smart factory that allows the extraction of data for processing within the factory in real-time. Even hardware is being driven by the increase in investments in robotics, automated material handling, and industrial cameras. In fact, manufacturing has always required hardware, particularly as the sector moves towards a greater reliance on cyber-physical systems, where the performance of AI systems is determined to such a large extent by the hardware that supports them. Drone, sensor, and automated irrigation tool rapid adoption are expected to drive the hardware segment, experiencing the fastest CAGR from 2024–2032 throughout the forecast timeline. Now that the prices of smart equipment are falling with the advancement of technology, farmers want best-of-breed hardware to implement real-time AI in the field. By Technology: Machine Learning & Deep Learning Dominated, Computer Vision Fastest Growing Machine Learning & Deep Learning dominated the market in 2023 and accounted for 47% of revenue share, as they remain the cornerstone for pattern recognition, yield forecasting and soil and crop data anomaly detection. With these technologies, it is possible to build prediction models that point the best planting times and fertilization. This multi-purpose ability wherever they are grown guarantees their continued success. In contrast, the computer vision segment is expected to witness the fastest growth, with increasing application of computer vision for pest detection, weed identification and fruit grading. Computer vision is a fundamental element of automation since it relies on the use of high-resolution cameras and image processing tools powered by AI, which will allow for rapid visual analysis and interpretation. By Application: Precision Farming Dominated, Agriculture Robots Fastest Growing Precision farming segment dominated the market in 2023 and accounted for a significant revenue share, due to its comprehensive approach to maximizing output with minimum use of resources. AI tools for these segments help in seeding, irrigation, and nutrient management to achieve sustainable agriculture. Remote sensing and GPS-based automated systems further hone operations. Agriculture robots are registering the fastest CAGR as they are being rapidly employed for automated harvesting, soil analysis, and planting activities. The demand for continuous, precise fieldwork paired with persistent labor shortages is leading to investments in robotic systems that are becoming a key enabling technology for large-scale agricultural an Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture Market Analysis & Outlook 2024-2032@ Regional Insights: North America Dominated, Asia-Pacific Fastest Growing North America dominated the AI in agriculture market in 2023 and accounted for 36% of revenue share, to early adoption of advanced farming technologies, and robust digital infrastructure in the region, however the agritech investment in U.S. and Canada also plays a significant role in the market growth which was substantial which was 36% in terms of revenue share in 2023. Farmers deploy these systems on a mass scale, backed by government subsidies and tech partnerships. Asia-Pacific is anticipated to register the fastest CAGR from 2024 to 2032, because of the ongoing digital transformation in the region, especially in countries such as India, China, and Japan. Increased adoption of AI is being fueled by rising food security concerns, population growth, and agri-startup activity. Recent Developments in 2024 June 2024: IBM launched a new AI-based weather forecasting tool tailored for small-scale farmers in Africa and South Asia. May 2024: John Deere announced a strategic partnership with NVIDIA to develop real-time AI analytics for self-driving tractors. April 2024: Bayer Crop Science unveiled its AI-powered disease detection platform for wheat and corn crops. About Us: SNS Insider is one of the leading market research and consulting agencies that dominates the market research industry globally. Our company's aim is to give clients the knowledge they require in order to function in changing circumstances. In order to give you current, accurate market data, consumer insights, and opinions so that you can make decisions with confidence, we employ a variety of techniques, including surveys, video talks, and focus groups around the world. CONTACT: Contact Us: Jagney Dave - Vice President of Client Engagement Phone: +1-315 636 4242 (US) | +44- 20 3290 5010 (UK)
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.
