California Ag Network

Tag: Agricultural technology

  • UC ANR Connect Seeks Ag Tech for California Crops

    Applications are now open for UC ANR Connect, a grower-informed commercialization program operated by UC ANR Innovate, the innovation arm of University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, in partnership with ag tech venture firm Farmhand Ventures. Applications will be accepted through Sept. 18.

    Selected companies receive commercialization support, direct feedback from California growers and agricultural professionals, industry connections and the opportunity to demonstrate their technology live at a field day.

    The current application cycle is focused on commercially available technologies for permanent crops, including fresh fruit, table grapes, pistachios, desert vegetables, berries, citrus and avocados.

    “Entering the California market requires more than a strong technology. Companies need to understand how farmers make decisions, how their products fit into agricultural operations and what it takes to earn trust,” said Helle Petersen, director of UC ANR Innovate. “UC ANR Connect gives companies a structured way to build that understanding while developing relationships across California agriculture.”

    The program begins with challenges identified by California growers and agricultural professionals. UC ANR Innovate’s advisory board and agricultural partners help define priority needs and evaluate whether applicants have commercially available solutions that are relevant to those needs.

    Participants engage directly with growers, UC Cooperative Extension advisors, researchers and industry partners through customer-discovery conversations and feedback sessions. That input helps companies refine their value proposition, strengthen their market positioning and communicate more effectively with the people who may use, recommend or support their products.

    “The unique thing about our program is that it starts with grower priorities based on their biggest operational constraints,” said Hannah Johnson, industry lead for UC ANR Connect. “We are looking for teams that have solutions to those problems and are ready to build lasting relationships in California agriculture.”

    The program culminates in a live field-day demonstration, where companies show their technology in an agricultural setting, explain how it works and answer questions from growers and other attendees. The demonstrations give companies immediate, practical feedback while allowing growers to evaluate emerging technologies before considering adoption.

    During its first two years, UC ANR Connect has worked with 55 companies through eight program cycles and brought more than 1,000 growers, researchers, agricultural professionals and industry representatives to its field days.

    Past participants have included Carbon Robotics, Verdant Robotics, Sami Robotics, Bonsai Robotics and Verdi Ag, with technologies spanning weed control, equipment automation, irrigation management, mechanical pollination, disease detection and harvest assistance.

    Applications must be submitted by Sept. 18, 2026. Learn more and apply at ucanr.edu/site/uc-anr-innovate/ucanr-connect.

    UC ANR Innovate will host a virtual information session for prospective applicants and other interested stakeholders on Sept. 10, 2026, at 8 a.m. PDT. The webinar will explain how the program works, who should apply, how companies are selected and what participating companies can expect.

    Register for the webinar at https://ucanr.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5x2lvlO-SjWcQjUIW3PFdQ#/registration.

  • Fertilizer Additives Market Expected to Generate $3.82 Billion by 2031

    The Global Fertilizer Additives Market Size is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.54% from 2024 to 2031, according to a new report published by Verified Market Research®. The report reveals that the market was valued at USD 2.89 Billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 3.82 Billion by the end of the forecast period.

    Global Fertilizer Additives Market Overview

    Sustainable Agriculture Practices Driving Demand: With the global agricultural sector increasingly prioritizing sustainability, the utilization of fertilizer additives to reduce nutrient loss and environmental repercussions is growing. These additives augment fertilizer efficacy, resulting in enhanced crop yields and a less environmental impact. This transition is prompting governments and agribusinesses to invest in novel additions, hence expediting the expansion of the Fertilizer Additives Market.

    Rising Population and Food Demand: The burgeoning worldwide population is driving an increased demand for food production. Fertilizer additions are essential for optimizing agricultural productivity by enhancing nutrient uptake and inhibiting fertilizer breakdown. This market driver is anticipated to enhance investments in agricultural technologies, establishing a robust growth trajectory for the Fertilizer Additives Market as farmer’s endeavor to address food security challenges.

    Technological Advancements in Additive Formulations: Innovations in additive formulations are transforming the Fertilizer Additives Market by providing sophisticated solutions that enhance fertilizer stability, nutrient accessibility, and application efficacy. These technical innovations are drawing industry leaders aiming to maintain competitiveness in a progressively demanding market. Companies engaging in research and development to create next-generation additives are strategically positioned to exploit this increasing demand.

    To Purchase a Comprehensive Report Analysis: https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/select-licence?rid=22886

    High Production Costs of Fertilizer Additives: The sophisticated technologies and specific components utilized in the production of fertilizer additives frequently result in elevated manufacturing expenses. This may restrict market penetration, especially in developing areas where cost-effectiveness is paramount. Although major agribusinesses may implement these advances, smaller farms may struggle to justify the costs, thus hindering the overall expansion of the Fertilizer Additives Market.

    Stringent Regulatory Frameworks: The worldwide initiative for environmental sustainability has resulted in more stringent rules regarding chemical fertilizers and their additives. This fosters environmentally sustainable practices; nonetheless, managing intricate regulatory obligations may hinder product development and elevate compliance expenses for enterprises. This constraint can impede market growth, particularly for firms functioning in areas with stringent regulatory environments in the Fertilizer Additives Market.

    Limited Awareness in Developing Regions: Despite the advantages of fertilizer additions, insufficient understanding among farmers in underdeveloped nations serves as a market constraint. Numerous small-scale farmers persist in utilizing conventional fertilizers, oblivious to the efficiency enhancements that additives can provide. The deficiency of information, combined with limited access to advanced agricultural inputs, may impede the growth potential of the Fertilizer Additives Market, particularly in rural regions with restricted access to current farming methods.

    Geographical Dominance

    The Asia-Pacific region occupies a preeminent position in the Fertilizer Additives Market owing to its extensive agricultural sector and increasing food demand driven by a burgeoning population. China and India are significant providers, bolstered by enhanced governmental measures promoting sustainable agricultural techniques. This dominance stimulates market expansion as the region invests in sophisticated agricultural technologies, increasing demand for effective fertilizer additives and providing possibilities for global firms to enhance their presence.

    Key Players

    The “Global Fertilizer Additives Market” study report will provide a valuable insight with an emphasis on the global market. The major players in the market are KAO Corporation, BASF SE, Filtra Catalysts & Chemicals Ltd.¸Arrmaz, Forbon Technology, Olsa Group, Clariant, Novochem Group, Amit Trading Ltd, Chemipol, Michelman, Corteva Agriscience, Lignostar.

    Fertilizer Additives Market Segment Analysis

    Based on the research, Verified Market Research has segmented the global Fertilizer Additives Market into Function, Application and Geography.

    • Fertilizer Additives Market, by Function:
      • Anticaking Agents
      • Antifoaming Agent
      • Corrosion Inhibitors
      • Dedusting Agent
      • Hydrophobic Agent
    • Fertilizer Additives Market, by Application:
      • Ammonium Nitrate
      • Urea
      • Monoammonium Phosphate (MAP)
      • Bio-based Fertilizer
      • Diammonium Phosphate
      • Triple Super Phosphate
      • Ammonium Sulfate
    • Fertilizer Additives Market, by Geography
      • North America
        • U.S
        • Canada
        • Mexico
      • Europe
        • Germany
        • France
        • U.K
        • Rest of Europe
      • Asia Pacific
        • China
        • Japan
        • India
        • Rest of Asia Pacific
      • ROW
        • Middle East & Africa
        • Latin America

  • Turning Food Scraps into Opportunities

    For every juicy tomato or crunchy almond California grows, there’s a pile of pulp, hulls or scraps that often goes to waste. A new online tool, created by University of California, Davis researchers, tracks those agricultural byproducts aiming to find innovative ways to put them to use.

    The Byproduct Database, maintained by the AI Institute for Next Generation Food Systems, is an ongoing research project that includes a catalog of byproducts like fruit skins and nut shells, and potential ways to reuse them across different industries.

    Edward “Ned” Spang, principal investigator and associate professor with the Department of Food Science and Technology, said about one third of the food produced worldwide, doesn’t get eaten. The database consolidates information about food waste in one place, detailing what the various leftovers are made of and where they’re available in the state. Spang believes it could help guide decisions on reducing waste by potentially turning these materials into new products for food, cosmetics or pharmaceutical industries.

    “In the food production space, there’s a lot of edible material, or potentially valuable material, that’s been overlooked for a long time as waste,” Spang said. “So, the questions we are trying to understand include: ‘How much of this material is out there? What is it composed of? Where is it? When is it available?’”

    Tomatoes, almonds, pistachios and pomegranates

    The pilot phase of the database currently features four major crops: tomatoes, almonds, pistachios and pomegranates. As the research team continues to gather data, they will update the site to include other crops and byproducts, including wine grapes, stone fruits and citrus. In collaboration with Ilias Tagkopoulos with the Department of Computer Science, Spang is looking into developing and applying AI tools to expand the site faster and with less manual work.

    For pistachios, the website illustrates that the largest byproduct is the hull, which is often discarded, and that undersized pistachios could be a valuable resource if there was a market for it. The website helps outline the various byproducts for potential upcycling, where leftovers are transformed into new ingredients. Local companies are already developing new products using materials such as brewers’ spent grain (a byproduct of beer production), okara (a fibrous byproduct from soymilk production) and grape pomace (leftovers from winemaking).

    Researchers are looking at where food gets lost in the field and at the processing plant. With tomatoes, some get damaged on the vine, others get tossed out for not meeting quality standards. Spang said those leftovers, or side streams, are opportunities for upcycling.

    “It’s a material that’s already been cultivated, harvested and processed, so anything you do that’s economically productive means that all the resources embedded in that material, like fertilizer, water and energy, were not wasted in vain,” said Spang, who also directs the Robert Mondavi Institute of Wine and Food Science. “It is a real win-win opportunity.”

    Finding new uses

    The skin and pulp of a tomato contain lycopene, an antioxidant known for its health benefits. Users of the website can visualize where these leftover tomato parts, and its valuable lycopene, are found, helping to imagine new ways to make use of this healthy compound.

    “We expect our primary user to be entrepreneurs who are looking for new business models in upcycling, or who might have an advanced extraction technology to derive value from some of these overlooked materials,” Spang explained. “But producers and growers would also benefit as new revenue streams deliver value up and down the food supply chain.”

    The database will soon include cost estimates and economic variables to help users make more informed decisions. This will allow them to assess factors like how much lycopene is in a byproduct, its value per milligram and the costs associated with extracting it.

    New space for agricultural innovation on campus

    The research project is funded by a grant from the Resnick Agricultural Innovation Research Fund, created by a $50 million gift by Lynda and Stewart Resnick, co-owners of The Wonderful Company. Part of that donation also establishes the Resnick Center for Agricultural Innovation, currently under construction on campus, that will include a large space for biomass staging and extraction, a process to pull valuable compounds from fruits, vegetables and grain residues.

    Food waste happens, but this work is helping build a food system that wastes less and supports sustainability, which Spang hopes will excite everyone.

    “We have to be a little more creative with our food system,” he said. “We can make our current food system more productive by investigating novel upcycling ideas and processing systems that create more revenue for producers and hopefully deliver more value to consumers as well.” — By Tiffany Dobbyn, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, UC Davis, tadobbyn@ucdavis.edu

  • World Ag Expo® Names Ron Clark as New Chairman

    World Ag Expo®, the largest annual outdoor agricultural exposition, is gearing up to make its return in February, naming Ron Clark as the 2026 Show Chairman.

    “It’s an honor to be selected by my peers in the community, and to follow a long line of respected leaders,” said Clark. “I look forward to representing the greatest ag show in the world and welcoming visitors to discover the latest in agriculture.”

    A Tulare native, Clark has been involved in agriculture from a young age, working on his family farm since third grade. Over the years, he has managed his own farming operation while providing custom farming and farm management services. Committed to agricultural education and innovation, he has run test plots for various organizations, including the UC Cooperative Extension. Clark has served as Vice Chairman of Mid Valley Co-op and as a board member of numerous Kaweah Water Associations and the Tulare Joint Union High School District Ag Advisory Committee. A generational volunteer, he carries on his family’s long-standing tradition of supporting World Ag Expo.

    The theme for the 2026 show, “Grounds for Innovation,” highlights both the 2.6 million square feet of exhibit space, and its role as a showcase for the latest in agricultural technology. From the Top-10 New Products Competition to a wide array of exhibitors featuring cutting-edge solutions, innovation is always at the forefront of World Ag Expo.

    “Our team is hard at work preparing for next year’s show,” said Jerry Sinift, International Agri-Center® CEO. “We are happy to continue providing a place for the agriculture community to connect, learn, and grow.”

    The annual show is produced by the International Agri-Center®, a non-profit focused on agriculture education, innovation, and business development.

    World Ag Expo® is the largest annual outdoor ag tradeshow of its kind. In 2025, the show saw over 100,000 attendees from 49 states and 80 countries. With more than 1,200 exhibitors and 2.6 million square feet of exhibit space, World Ag Expo® provides a platform for networking, education, and business in one of the most productive ag counties in the United States. Limited exhibit space is still available and can be requested at https://bit.ly/exhibitwae26.

    Tickets are on sale online now at https://bit.ly/ticketswae26, and attendees can plan their visit at www.worldagexpo.com. With a diverse lineup of agriculture companies, demonstrations, and seminars, there is something for every ag professional. World Ag Expo® 2026 will run Tuesday, February 10 through Thursday, February 12, 2026, at the International Agri-Center® in Tulare, CA.

    For more information, visit www.worldagexpo.org.

    The International Agri-Center® is home to World Ag Expo®, February 10-12, 2026 in Tulare, California. An estimated annual average of 102,000 individuals from 65 countries attend World Ag Expo® each year. The largest annual agricultural show of its kind, World Ag Expo® hosts more than 1,200 exhibitors displaying cutting-edge agricultural technology and equipment on 2.6 million square feet of show space. Learn more at www.worldagexpo.com.

  • Bills to Support Central Valley Specialty Crop Producers Reintroduced

    Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) has reintroduced two bipartisan bills to improve the domestic specialty crop industry—the Specialty Crop Domestic Market Promotion Program Act and the Specialty Crop Mechanization Assistance Act. California produces the most specialty crops in the country in both quantity and diversity, with over 400 commodities produced in the state per year. These bills would make technology and resources available so they can access new markets and remain competitive.

    Congressman Valadao originally introduced these bills in the 118th Congress.

    “Specialty crops are a cornerstone of Central Valley agriculture, but due to challenges like labor shortages, supply chain disruptions, and rising costs, it’s been difficult for farmers to stay competitive,” said Congressman Valadao. “We need to ensure our growers are best equipped to handle these obstacles, and these bills will give them the tools needed to expand into new markets, invest in modern technology, and continue putting fresh, nutritious food on tables across the country.”

    “CFFA is again proud to have worked with the California Table Grape Commission to co-lead this collaborative effort to promote U.S. produce domestically and help equip our farmers with the tools and technologies they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world. I would like to thank Congressman Valadao for reintroducing these bills that aim to support the modern needs of American agriculture. These bills will support farmers and their employees to ensure that America continues to be a global leader in agricultural production,” said President of the California Fresh Fruit Association, Daniel Hartwig.

    “California table grape growers are grateful to Congressman Valadao for his leadership in reintroducing the Specialty Crop Domestic Market Promotion Program Act and the Specialty Crop Mechanization Assistance Act. These measures address two of the most pressing challenges our industry faces—expanding consumer demand and addressing critical labor shortages. Investments in market development will help ensure consumers know when U.S.-grown produce is in season and available, while mechanization assistance will support growers in overcoming labor challenges. Together, these efforts strengthen the competitiveness of U.S. specialty crops, provide consumers with greater access to healthy, nutritious produce, and support the long-term viability of family farms in California and across the nation,”

    said President of the California Table Grape Commission, Ian LeMay.

    Additional co-sponsors include: Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09), Rep. Julia Brownley (CA-26), Rep. Jimmy Panetta (CA-21), and Rep. Doug LaMalfa (CA-01).

    The Specialty Crop Domestic Market Promotion Program Act would create a program that helps specialty crop producers market their products to access American markets. It replicates the popular Market Access Program (MAP) through USDA’s Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS) specifically for specialty crop producers to break into niche domestic markets.

    Read the full text of the bill here.

    The Specialty Crop Mechanization Assistance Act makes it easier for specialty crop producers to remain competitive in the face of labor shortages by making expensive automation technology more accessible to producers. This bill aims to create a reimbursement-based cost-share program which would permit growers and processors to invest more in these time and money-saving technologies.

    Read the full text of the bill here.

  • World Ag Expo® Opens Applications for 2026 Top-10 Products and Seminar Series

    World Ag Expo offers a look into the latest in innovation and education through the return of the Top-10 New Products competition and seminar sessions. Exhibitors and industry experts can now apply to put their mark on the 2026 show.

    The Top-10 New Products Competition at World Ag Expo provides a glimpse into cutting-edge technology and innovation. Open to exhibitors, the innovation contest showcases the latest in a competitive field of new products ranging from groundbreaking technology to simple solutions. Previous award winners have pointed to the Top-10 New Products Contest as a catalyst for success.

    “Since winning the Top Ten New Product Award in 2025, we’ve leveraged that recognition to successfully promote our latest innovation—the Synergy Blower,” shared Seth Richmond, Director of Product at Flory Industries. “Our marketing team has capitalized on the momentum, driving strong industry interest and rapid adoption, both domestically and internationally. The Synergy Blower is now officially launched and in full production, with many new units already at work in this year’s almond harvest.”

    The Top-10 New Products Competition information and application can be found at bit.ly/WAE26TOP-10. Applicants must be exhibitors at the 2026 World Ag Expo and products released anywhere in the world between February 9, 2025 and February 10, 2026 are eligible. The application deadline is October 31, 2025 and winners will be announced in December.

    World Ag Expo also provides a platform for learning through educational seminars. Attendees can enjoy seminars, which are included with general show admission, featuring some of the most knowledgeable professionals in their respective sectors. Each year, tracks include Dairy & Livestock, Technology, Irrigation & Water, Demonstrations, and more.

    Educational seminars are held in the Seminar Center on the southeast side of the grounds throughout all three days of the show. Experts, including exhibitors, universities, government agencies, and more, provide valuable insights, aiming to expand producer knowledge and practices.

    More seminar information and the application is available at bit.ly/WAE26Seminar. The final seminar schedule and speaker information will be available online and in the official show app. The application deadline is October 31, 2025 and speakers will be notified in December.

    World Ag Expo is the largest annual outdoor ag tradeshow in the world. In 2025, the show saw over 100,000 attendees from 49 states and 80 countries. More than 1,200 exhibitors on 2.6 million square feet of exhibit space make World Ag Expo a premium platform for networking, education, and business in one of the most productive ag counties in the United States.

    Limited exhibit spaces are still available. To learn more about World Ag Expo® and request space, please visit https://www.worldagexpo.com/exhibitors/.

    International attendee ticket packages are on sale now. General admission and ag tour tickets go on sale October 1st. Attendees can purchase tickets and plan their visit at www.WorldAgExpo.com.

    For more information, visit www.WorldAgExpo.com.

    The International Agri-Center® is home to World Ag Expo®, February 10-12, 2026 in Tulare, California. An estimated annual average of 100,000 individuals from 60 countries attend World Ag Expo® each year. The largest annual agricultural show of its kind, World Ag Expo® hosts more than 1,200 exhibitors displaying cutting-edge agricultural technology and equipment on 2.6 million square feet of show space. Learn more at www.worldagexpo.com.

  • Are Autonomous Self-Driving Tractors Legal in California?

    As California’s agricultural industries progress towards a more sustainable future with new technologies and innovations, current Cal OSHA regulations (unless changed) may hinder their progress, particularly with regard to autonomous or self-driving tractors.  Watch this brief video with Michael Miiller from the California Association of Winegrape Growers as he explains.
     
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.

  • New AgTech Startups from Portugal Share Services at Fresno State

    Technological Innovations in Agriculture are playing a key role in helping American farmers succeed in adapting to meet today’s challenges and remaining sustainable well into the future. But these new technologies need to start somewhere, and sometimes ‘somewhere’ can be far away in distant lands. Check out this video featuring several AgTech Startup Companies out of Portugal who visited the Jordan Collage of Agriculture at Fresno State recently, as they each shared a little bit about what new technologies their companies have to offer U.S. farmers.

    Enjoy our Ag video news?  Be sure to let our sponsor Duarte Nursery know & thank them for their industry support!