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With its Itaba maize seed facility in Zambia, Bayer supports food security in Sub-Saharan Africa. (Image source: Bayer)

Bayer recently unveiled its new maize seed facility in Kabwe, Zambia

Through this US$34.7mn facility, Bayer has managed to triple its existing capacity for high-quality maize seed production in 2025. This capacity ultimately converts into annual maize consumption of approximately 30 million people in the region, and is expected to further increase in the coming years. 

The high-yielding seeds will reach 6.4 million smallholder farmers in Zambia and other countries in sub-Saharan Africa this year and up to 10 million by 2030. To date, the investment is the second largest private investment by a German company in Zambia. The site is a key component of Bayer’s growth strategy for Africa, with the aspiration of doubling the Crop Science Division’s business on the continent by 2030.

Bayer plans to employ 80 permanent staff members and over 100 seasonal workers and contractors at the site. Additionally, approximately 15,000 seasonal on-farm jobs will be generated through Bayer’s field operations and those of contract growers to produce the seeds. By addressing up to 10 million smallholder farmers, the investment significantly helps to advance Bayer’s goal of reaching 21.5 million smallholders in Africa and 100 million globally by 2030.

Bayer is also supporting the local healthcare system by funding the establishment of a new health centre, which aims to provide essential healthcare services to more than 10,000 residents, including Bayer employees and their dependents.

“Millions of people around the world, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, suffer from severe food insecurity. Ending hunger is central to our mission at Bayer. With our new seed facility in Zambia, we want to make a meaningful contribution to that crucial goal,” said CEO Bill Anderson, who inaugurated the site alongside president of Zambia, Hakainde Hichilema. “The new facility will help us improve food security, empower smallholder farmers, and support communities in numerous countries on the African continent. It’s also a great business opportunity for Bayer. We can’t wait to ramp up production," Anderson concluded. 

The technology is designed for simple and efficient application, at speeds of up to 25 mph. (Image source: CNH)

Case IH recently launched the new SenseApply technology, purposefully designed to maximise the output of every input

Comprising a single cab-mounted camera system, the technology is an economical and adaptable automated Live variable rate application solution that offers multi-season uses for unmatched versatility and productivity without compromising quality or functionality. It has various multi-application uses including:

  • Selective spray: This includes a one-time activation fee eliminating both per acre fees and annual fees for the life of the device. It offers two options – the Green-on-Brown Spot Spray offering upgraded weed management and the Base + Boost option that applies a consistent base rate over the entire boom while boosting individual nozzle sections to a higher rate when passing over areas with higher weed pressure.
  • Live Variable Rate Application (VRA): This includes lifetime Live VRA use and offers five options – Burndown VRA, Nitrogen VRA, Harvest Aid VRA, Plant Growth Regulator VRA and Fungicide VRA. 

The technology is designed for simple and efficient application, at speeds of up to 25 mph, with the camera self-calibrating to the crop within the first 150 ft during Live VRA. The SenseApply camera – which is mounted on top of the cab to maximise field of view – senses plant biomass and responds accordingly, depending on the application type the operator selected.   

SenseApply also integrates with Case IH FieldOps and Raven Slingshot, enabling operators to connect and manage application data through their preferred platform. This integration increases overall operator efficiencies by providing real-time data analysis and decision-making capabilities, while making it easier to align with agronomist recommendations. The technology's multi-purpose functionality enables operators to use it throughout the year irrespective of the seasons. 

“SenseApply offers unparalleled flexibility, with a range of application methods that were previously unavailable in a single solution,” said application equipment customer segmentation lead at Case IH, Leo Bose. “It is also a cost-effective solution with no annual subscriptions or per acre fees, driving efficiency and profitability for a grower.” 

 

Biome Makers has announced integrations is enabling farmers to bridge the gap between soil biology and digital farming. (Image source: Biome Makers)

Digital integration of field data from leading platfoms such as CNH, John Deere and Climate FieldView with Biome Makers' precision agriculture tool 'BeCrop Farm' empowers farmers, enabling more intelligent decision-making and sustainable farming practices

To make it easier for farmers to harness biological data alongside traditional agronomic information, Biome Makers has announced integrations with Climate FieldView, John Deere and CNH, enabling farmers to bridge the gap between soil biology and digital farming

The three key benefits of this integration include: 

1. Seamless data import: Users can gain science-backed soil health insights—without the hassle of manual data entry, by effortlessly importing their field data into BeCrop Farm.

2. Actionable soil health intelligence: By analysing more than 1,000 biological and environmental parameters, BeCrop Farm provides recommendations on nutrient cycling, disease risk, soil resilience, ag-input products, and agronomic strategies that help farmers optimise soil performance and input efficiency.

3. Data privacy and ownership: Biome Makers ensures that all data handling complies with the highest agricultural privacy standards, allowing farmers to retain complete control over their data, choosing when and with whom to share it with.

“Digital agriculture is evolving toward more connected platforms, where farmers can leverage multiple data sources for better decision-making,” said Alberto Acedo, CSO and co-founder of Biome Makers. “Our integrations with Climate FieldView, John Deere and CNH support this transformation, making it effortless for users to bring their field data into BeCrop Farm and unlock powerful soil biology insights, ag-input recommendations and agronomic guidance that drive sustainable farming practices.”

Through AGRIMAX SPARGO SB, BKT aims to offer farmers an advanced solution that addresses the specific challenges of row crops and spraying operations. (Image source: BKT)

To meet the needs of farmers and professionals managing vineyards and orchards characterised by steep terrain and narrow spacing, BKT has come up with the AGRIMAX SPARGO SB, an extended version of the AGRIMAX SPARGO 

This tire combines the advantages of radial agricultural tires, namely lower fuel consumption, comfort, and handling with a wider footprint and excellent traction. The AGRIMAX SPARGO features VF technology and was designed to ensure a constant load by reducing inflation pressure compared to a standard tire. The new version complements this product range for open field spraying, row crops, orchards and vineyards. 

The new steel-belted pattern distinguishes itself by an increased tread depth and more slender lugs, resulting in an overall more open and taller tread pattern. This configuration provides excellent handling on the road and a D-class speed rating enabling speeds of up to 65 kmph. A strategic advantage for modern farmers who need to move quickly between fields and supply points, optimising time and increasing operational efficiency

One of its distinctive features is the dual-layer mud ejection system, designed to effectively remove debris from the tread and ensure a quick transition from field to road without accumulating dirt. With safety and comfort remaining top priorities, the tire provides a smooth and stable ride, reducing operator fatigue and ensuring a predictable response in all conditions. This new tire also features a specially designed sidewall design to reduce vibration, which improves the comfort during precision spraying operations, where operator comfort and precision are indeed paramount.

"In the case of the AGRIMAX SPARGO SB, we have paid special attention to the casing design by using a strong polyester structure that offers greater strength, flexibility and durability than traditional materials," said senior president & director Technology at BKT, Dilip Vaidya. "This choice enables the tire to handle heavy loads while keeping deformation under control, improving the footprint and thus traction, stability, and handling."

CultiWise is an advanced farm software from Czech startup Skymaps, which allows farmers to generate high-precision 'prescription maps' within hours using the entry-level CultiWise drone. (Image source: CultWise)

The new CultiWise software offers cost savings and yield benefits of upto 20%, along with a return on investment in the first season

In comparison to satellite images which are weather-dependant, drone images are more reliable, and offer precise maps for variable rate application of fertiliser, fungicide and growth regulator. Farmers often rely on satellite images to programme spraying equipment to apply the required amount of fertiliser, fungicide and plant growth regulator. This variable rate application targets particular crop zones, but cloudy conditions could delay critical decisions that could ultimately affect yield. This is where the new CultiWise drone comes handy.

CultiWise is an advanced farm software from Czech startup Skymaps, which allows farmers to generate high-precision 'prescription maps' within hours using the entry-level CultiWise drone. The software was developed by a team of 25 CultWise engineers by applying data from hundreds of European farms, ranging from small-scale to 30,000 ha. It enables farmers from anywhere in the world to upload drone images in preparation for imminent spraying or spreading. Prescription maps are produced within minutes to hours and help in pinpointing the zones that require different amounts of fertiliser, fungicide or plant growth regulator. The maps also inform the farmer of the expected volume savings.

Capable of mapping more than 200 ha per flight hour, the new compact CultiWise drone, which complements the software feature, offers not only speed but also centimeter-level accuracy, a requirement when targeting particular crop zones. Farmers cangenerate and upload images using either multispectral or RGB drone cameras. CultiWise offers a range of solutions, including prescription maps for spot spraying, crop monitoring, plant counting, and yield potential maps. 

In regard to spot-spraying, also known as variable rate application, the precise spraying process ideally depends on the accuracy of the prescription maps that apportion crop protection and pesticides. With access to detailed field data provided as maps, the spraying equipment automatically adjusts the nozzles to apply the right amount of fertiliser, fungicide, or plant growth regulator. The system supports all main crops, including corn, winter wheat, soybean, sugar beet, sunflower, rape seed, potatoes and onions.

“Our prescription maps derived from drones delivers reliable instructions and this will result in reduced pesticide and fertiliser use and therefore lower costs," stated Chief Technology Officer at Skymaps, Kornel Cziria. "Unlike conventional spraying, where all crops are sprayed with the same volume, with this method we change the amount in strong and weak crop zones. This results in cost savings and higher yields,” added Cziria.

 

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