Agriculture – Swanson Reed | Specialist R&D Tax Advisors

Carbon Robotics Secures $70M in Series D Funding

Carbon Autonomous Robotics Systems (DBA Carbon Robotics) has secured $70 million in Series D funding. The round was led by BOND with participation from NVentures, Anthos Capital, Fuse Venture Capital, Ignition Partners, Revolution, Sozo Ventures, and Voyager Capital.

As a leader in AI-powered farming, Carbon Robotics plans to use the funding to scale their LaserWeeder™, introduce new software and hardware products, and expand state-of-the-art manufacturing capabilities in Eastern Washington. It will also support the company’s growth in new markets and continue its geographic expansion into Eastern and Southern Europe, as well as the Asia-Pacific region.

LaserWeeder™ was designed to bring laser weeding capabilities to the average farmer. Laser weeding kills a weed at the meristem before they compete for the resources that the crops rely on. Carbon Robotics’ solution uses computer vision, AI, Deep Learning, and robotics to see, think, and act.

Are you developing new technology for an existing application? Did you know your development work could be eligible for the R&D Tax Credit and you can receive up to 14% back on your expenses? Even if your development isn’t successful your work may still qualify for R&D credits (i.e. you don’t need to have a patent to qualify). To find out more, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today or check out our free online eligibility test.

Who We Are:

Swanson Reed is one of the U.S.’ largest Specialist R&D tax advisory firms. We manage all facets of the R&D tax credit program, from claim preparation and audit compliance to claim disputes.

Swanson Reed regularly hosts free webinars and provides free IRS CE and CPE credits for CPAs. For more information please visit us at www.swansonreed.com/webinars or contact your usual Swanson Reed representative.

Insignum AgTech Wins Pitch Contest

Insignum AgTech is among the five winners announced in Elevate Ventures’ second annual In-Prize pitch contest. Each winner scores the potential for up to $1 million in funding for each of the winners.

Insignum won based on their gene editing technology which enables plants to change color when stressed. A changed color can alert farmers to early signs of problems like disease or insect attacks.

Insignum’s solution not only alerts farmers to problems earlier, it removes the guesswork. With this type of reliable detection, farmers treat their crops exactly when, precisely where, and only if necessary.

Per contest rules, each of the five IN-Prize winners has the chance to land up to a $1 million investment, which includes up to $500,000 in co-investment from Elevate Ventures. A company that secures $500,000 from other investors, for instance, will be eligible for a $500,000 investment from Elevate Ventures.

Are you developing new technology for an existing application? Did you know your development work could be eligible for the R&D Tax Credit and you can receive up to 14% back on your expenses? Even if your development isn’t successful your work may still qualify for R&D credits (i.e. you don’t need to have a patent to qualify). To find out more, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today or check out our free online eligibility test.

Who We Are:

Swanson Reed is one of the U.S.’ largest Specialist R&D tax advisory firms. We manage all facets of the R&D tax credit program, from claim preparation and audit compliance to claim disputes.

Swanson Reed regularly hosts free webinars and provides free IRS CE and CPE credits for CPAs. For more information please visit us at www.swansonreed.com/webinars or contact your usual Swanson Reed representative.

Impossible Sensing Begins Field Testing of Soil Sensor

State of the art R&D center opens in Iowa

Impossible Sensing, a St.Louis startup, has officially launched field tests for their second-generation prototype sensor. The testing will take place at Reckamp Farms in Wright City, west of St. Louis.

Impossible Sensing is a space technology company focused on exploring every and all environments – from deep space to deep ocean. To achieve this, they create proprietary sensing technologies that gather data which could be used to mitigate climate change.

“This is the first time this goes to the real world,” said Pablo Sobron, who founded Impossible Sensing. “We tested it in the lab, in the backyard in the city, and now it’s coming to a farm.”

The tests on Thursday consisted of digging a hole a few inches deep and then firing a high-powered laser that can measure the specific soil conditions at around 30 different sites.

It’s different from how farmers typically test their soil by collecting samples every few acres, Sobron said. The level of granularity from his instrument can reveal variations in nutrient levels and soil conditions in the same field and could prove the catalyst to unlocking some of the loftiest goals of precision agriculture, he said.

Are you developing new technology for an existing application? Did you know your development work could be eligible for the R&D Tax Credit and you can receive up to 14% back on your expenses? Even if your development isn’t successful your work may still qualify for R&D credits (i.e. you don’t need to have a patent to qualify). To find out more, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today or check out our free online eligibility test.

Who We Are:

Swanson Reed is one of the U.S.’ largest Specialist R&D tax advisory firms. We manage all facets of the R&D tax credit program, from claim preparation and audit compliance to claim disputes.

Swanson Reed regularly hosts free webinars and provides free IRS CE and CPE credits for CPAs. For more information please visit us at www.swansonreed.com/webinars or contact your usual Swanson Reed representative.

HerdDogg’s Tech Breakthrough: Doubling Sales and Reducing Emissions

HerdDogg, Inc., an innovative Animal AgTech company, has successfully closed a $6 million Series A4 funding round, led by Serra Ventures and Wonder Fund North Dakota, with contributions from Lever VC Fund II and other investors. This milestone comes as the company doubles the deployment of its smart ear tags across the U.S. and Australia, with plans to expand into Canada soon.

HerdDogg’s smart ear tags, often referred to as the “Fitbit for Cows,” are designed to monitor the internal body temperature, movement, and acceleration of cattle. Utilizing sophisticated data analytics, HerdDogg’s system can detect disease in cows days earlier than traditional methods, allowing for timely intervention and a significant reduction in on-farm mortality. By lowering mortality rates, this technology not only spares animals but also reduces the number of cows required in the beef and dairy supply chain, thus decreasing methane emissions.

CEO Andrew Uden, a sixth-generation cattle industry veteran, emphasizes the dual benefits of HerdDogg’s technology: improving the lives of cattlemen and their animals while enhancing efficiency and sustainability on farms. Early disease detection and the consequent reduction in mortality and morbidity align farm practices with consumer demand for higher animal welfare standards and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Data from the USDA shows a troubling increase in mortality rates in both small and large feedlots since 1999. Currently, the average mortality rate for beef cattle is approximately 8.3%, resulting in over 2 million cows dying each year before they reach the slaughterhouse. Each of these cows emits around 220 pounds of methane annually, equating to roughly 5 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent emissions. HerdDogg’s smart ear tag system, if widely adopted, could reduce the number of cows raised for food by approximately 700,000 animals and spare 1.7 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent emissions annually.

HerdDogg’s innovative approach not only promises to revolutionize cattle health management but also plays a crucial role in reducing the environmental impact of cattle farming. With its latest funding round, HerdDogg is poised to expand its reach and continue its mission to improve animal welfare and sustainability in agriculture.

Are you developing new technology for an existing application? Did you know your development work could be eligible for the R&D Tax Credit and you can receive up to 14% back on your expenses? Even if your development isn’t successful your work may still qualify for R&D credits (i.e. you don’t need to have a patent to qualify). To find out more, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today or check out our free online eligibility test.

Who We Are:

Swanson Reed is one of the U.S.’ largest Specialist R&D tax advisory firms. We manage all facets of the R&D tax credit program, from claim preparation and audit compliance to claim disputes.

Swanson Reed regularly hosts free webinars and provides free IRS CE and CPE credits for CPAs. For more information please visit us at www.swansonreed.com/webinars or contact your usual Swanson Reed representative.

Breaking New Ground: Biodel AG’s Series A Funding and Promising R&D

Biodel AG, a pioneering company in the field of biotechnology, is making waves with its recent Series A funding round. With an infusion of capital, the company is poised to take its cutting-edge research and development (R&D) efforts to the next level.

Securing Series A funding is a significant milestone for any startup, and Biodel AG is no exception. The company’s recent success in raising funds demonstrates the industry’s confidence in its vision and potential. This financial boost will enable Biodel AG to accelerate its R&D initiatives, bringing innovative solutions to the forefront of agriculture.

Biodel AG has long been dedicated to pushing the boundaries of nature to restore sustainability to our food supply. The company’s R&D efforts focus on developing biological products for crop and livestock production, based upon their proprietary microbial and amino acid ingredients. With these development efforts, they hope to develop the essential biological inputs and practices necessary to reverse the impact of climate change.

Biodel AG’s R&D efforts are summarized in three key areas:

Produce Nitrogen-Fixing, Photosynthetic Autotrophs
Produce Isoprenoid Amino Complex®
Manufacture Sequester® Soil Amendment & BioFertilizer Products

Biodel AG’s R&D endeavors have the potential to shape the future of healthcare by introducing innovative therapies, improving treatment outcomes, and enhancing patient experiences. With the Series A funding in place, the company is better equipped than ever to bring these transformative solutions to fruition.

Are you developing new technology for an existing application? Did you know your development work could be eligible for the R&D Tax Credit and you can receive up to 14% back on your expenses? Even if your development isn’t successful your work may still qualify for R&D credits (i.e. you don’t need to have a patent to qualify). To find out more, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today or check out our free online eligibility test.

Who We Are:

Swanson Reed is one of the U.S.’ largest Specialist R&D tax advisory firms. We manage all facets of the R&D tax credit program, from claim preparation and audit compliance to claim disputes.

Swanson Reed regularly hosts free webinars and provides free IRS CE and CPE credits for CPAs. For more information please visit us at www.swansonreed.com/webinars or contact your usual Swanson Reed representative.

Revolutionizing Agriculture: EnGeniousAg’s Instant Nitrate Sensors

Agtech sensor startup EnGeniousAg has secured a $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation. Their innovative in-field nitrogen sensors are poised to transform the agricultural industry, revolutionizing fertilizer application and boosting both farmer profitability and environmental sustainability.

Nitrogen fertilizer is a costly input for corn farmers, with over $1 billion wasted annually. EnGeniousAg’s cutting-edge sensors measure nitrogen levels in crops in just three seconds, allowing farmers to make same-day nitrogen application decisions. By eliminating the need for costly lab testing and addressing excess nitrate runoff, EnGeniousAg sensors reduce the environmental impact of agriculture while enhancing farmer profitability.

EnGeniousAg’s revolutionary sensors offer a superior alternative to traditional soil nitrate tests. By directly measuring nitrate levels in plants, these sensors accurately identify the 10-30% of corn acres that won’t benefit from nitrogen fertilizer application. This breakthrough has the potential to save farmers up to $6 billion annually without compromising crop yields. EnGeniousAg’s sensors empower farmers with precise data, enabling them to apply fertilizer where it’s needed most, maximizing efficiency and reducing waste.

The company’s $1 million National Science Foundation Phase II Small Business Innovation Research grant signifies recognition and support for their groundbreaking work. This funding will facilitate large-scale field tests of corn grown under varying fertilizer application rates, validating and refining EnGeniousAg’s predictive model. By translating nitrate levels in corn stalks into fertilizer application recommendations, this research will enhance the company’s technology and pave the way for widespread adoption in the industry.

EnGeniousAg has partnered with precision agriculture companies Premier Crop Systems and Soil View to conduct field tests across multiple locations. By leveraging their expertise and resources, these collaborations will provide valuable insights into different nitrogen fertilizer application levels. This collaborative effort will work to ensure the reliability and versatility of EnGeniousAg’s technology, further strengthening its potential to transform farming practices and improve outcomes for farmers.

Are you developing new technology for an existing application? Did you know your development work could be eligible for the R&D Tax Credit and you can receive up to 14% back on your expenses? Even if your development isn’t successful your work may still qualify for R&D credits (i.e. you don’t need to have a patent to qualify). To find out more, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today or check out our free online eligibility test.

Who We Are:

Swanson Reed is one of the U.S.’ largest Specialist R&D tax advisory firms. We manage all facets of the R&D tax credit program, from claim preparation and audit compliance to claim disputes.

Swanson Reed regularly hosts free webinars and provides free IRS CE and CPE credits for CPAs. For more information please visit us at www.swansonreed.com/webinars or contact your usual Swanson Reed representative.

Springworks Farm Raises $22M to Expand Aquaponics Venture

Indiana Patent of the Month - December 2021

Springworks Farm has raised $22 million to expand its aquaponic greenhouse system that combines fish and plant farming in Maine.

The company uses aquaponics to grow their crops. This cross between hydroponics and aquaculture uses buoyant rafts, letting roots dangle in water to gather nutrients. The water has a healthy fish population which produce nutrients and waste – two things that help the plants grow. The plants, in turn, filter the water, making it safe for the fish to thrive in.

The latest funding round will support the development of their fourth aquaponic greenhouse. This new center will add 120,000 sq ft of greenhouse space in the next six years.

The expansion will allow Springworks, which already supplies more than 300 stores, to meet increasing demand for local, safe and sustainable food. By investing regionally, Springworks cuts thousands of food transportation miles for customers such as Hannaford, Whole Foods Market and Roche Bros. Supermarkets to increase access to high-quality, local food year-round.

Are you developing new technology for an existing application? Did you know your development work could be eligible for the R&D Tax Credit and you can receive up to 14% back on your expenses? Even if your development isn’t successful your work may still qualify for R&D credits (i.e. you don’t need to have a patent to qualify). To find out more, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today or check out our free online eligibility test.

Who We Are:

Swanson Reed is one of the U.S.’ largest Specialist R&D tax advisory firms. We manage all facets of the R&D tax credit program, from claim preparation and audit compliance to claim disputes.

Swanson Reed regularly hosts free webinars and provides free IRS CE and CPE credits for CPAs. For more information please visit us at www.swansonreed.com/webinars or contact your usual Swanson Reed representative.

St. Louis’ Startup, Eiwa, Closed a Successful Series A Funding

Eiwa, a St. Louis-based AgTech startup, has closed on a Series A funding round led by Serra Ventures. While the company did not disclose the amount raised in the funding round, a regulatory document it filed March 6 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission showed the company has raised $1.6 million in equity financing.

Eiwa is working to streamline and improve the agricultural industry via digitization. Following the initial process of meeting and conversing with farmers across the globe, the company began developing a platform and algorithms to improve data acquisition, analytics, and visualization for seed breeders. Following this first push, the company has made an impressive mark, managing over 70% of all soybean breeding plots in the 3 main geographies: Argentina, Brazil, and the USA.

The company then expanded their expertise, bringing in functionalities which targeted Breeding, Crop Protection, Crop Nutrition, Marketing, and Sales and launched their proprietary solution: Eiwa Vault. This platform combines technology, images and data, enabling field information and data knowledge management in a simple and reliable framework focused on faster product development cycles and accelerated market deployment of Farm Inputs.

This commitment to innovation continues to drive the company. The latest round of funding will be directed towards funding both continued development and scaling the product on the market.

Are you developing new technology for an existing application? Did you know your development work could be eligible for the R&D Tax Credit and you can receive up to 14% back on your expenses? Even if your development isn’t successful your work may still qualify for R&D credits (i.e. you don’t need to have a patent to qualify). To find out more, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today or check out our free online eligibility test.

Who We Are:

Swanson Reed is one of the U.S.’ largest Specialist R&D tax advisory firms. We manage all facets of the R&D tax credit program, from claim preparation and audit compliance to claim disputes.

Swanson Reed regularly hosts free webinars and provides free IRS CE and CPE credits for CPAs. For more information please visit us at www.swansonreed.com/webinars or contact your usual Swanson Reed representative.

Soiltech Wireless Secures $2.5M in Seed Funding for their Remote Monitoring AgTech

Idaho-based Soiltech Wireless Inc., a startup focused on remote crop monitoring and traceability from field to transport and storage, has announced the close of a seed funding round bringing in $2.5 million.

The funding will go towards accelerating growth, as the company strives to bring their product to customers. Beyond this, the funding will also help drive the development of the Soiltech software platform which will aid in the collaboration across the agriculture supply chain. This collaboration will deliver enhanced insights to farmers, advisors, processors, and input companies alike.

After a long stint of R&D, the product is set to improve crop quality, increase yields, reduce costs, and lower environmental impact. The technology includes proprietary sensors which would arrive pre-configured, pre-charged, and ready to deploy.

The company began development with the intention of overcoming gaps and challenges in a crop’s production cycle. Their wireless monitoring makes real-time insights possible. They have taken a grassroots approach to innovation, working with growers, agriculture scientists, and industry researchers to make sure its technology solution was addressing real pain points, as well as being simple-to-use, affordable and of high-value for all farmers.

Are you developing new technology for an existing application? Did you know your development work could be eligible for the R&D Tax Credit and you can receive up to 14% back on your expenses? Even if your development isn’t successful your work may still qualify for R&D credits (i.e. you don’t need to have a patent to qualify). To find out more, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today or check out our free online eligibility test.

Who We Are:

Swanson Reed is one of the U.S.’ largest Specialist R&D tax advisory firms. We manage all facets of the R&D tax credit program, from claim preparation and audit compliance to claim disputes.

Swanson Reed regularly hosts free webinars and provides free IRS CE and CPE credits for CPAs. For more information please visit us at www.swansonreed.com/webinars or contact your usual Swanson Reed representative.

US Department of Agriculture Tackles Cercospora Leaf Spot Disease

Cercospora leaf spot disease is an infectious disease affecting a range of plants in landscapes and nurseries. The disease is the result of the fungus Cercospora beticola and occurs wherever table beets, swiss chard, sugar beet, and spinach are grown and is one of the most important diseases affecting the Chenopodium group. The disease leads to significant losses especially in late summer. The leafy greens become unmarketable and the beet roots fail to grow to full size.

With such an impact, it’s no surprise that plant pathologist, Nathan Wyatt, has committed to researching this disease. The project, which is underway at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service, will aim to find a way to more efficiently control the disease in sugargeats. It will also look into how to reduce fungicide resistance to the pathogen.

Nathan Wyatt, who works in the Edward T. Schafer Agricultural Research Center’s Northern Crop Science Laboratory in Fargo, North Dakota will be conducted during the next few years to fine tune the model that predicts when the risk of cercospora leaf disease is at a level at which growers can respond by spraying fungicides on the sugarbeets.

The research will focus on looking at the thresholds of relative humidity and temperatures at which you start to see cercospora leaf spots. Wyatt will use that research, which identified weather conditions conducive to cercospora leaf spot disease development, together with new information about asymptomatic infection to devise more specific fungicide predictions.

Currently, the 2022 NDSU sugarbeet production guide recommends that farmers begin spraying fungicides early on and then spray every 10-14 days for the remainder of the season.

Data will be collected this summer, and field trials will get underway in 2023, Wyatt said. The goal is to have prediction models available for sugarbeet cooperatives in 2024.

Are you developing new technology for an existing application? Did you know your development work could be eligible for the R&D Tax Credit and you can receive up to 14% back on your expenses? Even if your development isn’t successful your work may still qualify for R&D credits (i.e. you don’t need to have a patent to qualify). To find out more, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today or check out our free online eligibility test.

Who We Are:

Swanson Reed is one of the U.S.’ largest Specialist R&D tax advisory firms. We manage all facets of the R&D tax credit program, from claim preparation and audit compliance to claim disputes.

Swanson Reed regularly hosts free webinars and provides free IRS CE and CPE credits for CPAs. For more information please visit us at www.swansonreed.com/webinars or contact your usual Swanson Reed representative.