Cooperative Ventures Invests in Artificial Intelligence
Growmark and CHS’s joint venture, Cooperative Ventures, has invested in Precision AI. This startup was founded in 2017 to accelerate artificial intelligence-based farming practices including real-time, plant-by-plant input decisions. Precision AI has built custom drones paired with artificial intelligence to enable the application of its platform.
“Our partnership with Cooperative Ventures provides us access to farmers throughout North America who can benefit from the real-world application of the data our technology generates,” Precision AI CEO Dan McCann said. “When farmers are equipped with data, they can make wiser choices about inputs that have the potential to reduce costs and boost plant health, which helps support farm profitability.”
Syngenta Opens Biological Production Facility in South Carolina
In May, Syngenta had a grand opening for its new high-capacity biologicals production facility in Orangeburg, South Carolina. The plant will produce up to 16,000 tons of biostimulants annually.
“We are proud of our long-standing commitment to farmers, empowering their choices and supporting their freedom to operate,” said Quinn Showalter, head of North America Seedcare and Biologicals for Syngenta. “The Orangeburg facility will continue to connect the supply chain to customers more directly – enhancing our distribution capabilities in the region and meeting growing market demand.”
Loveland And Dyna-Gro Seed Expand Rice Research
To accelerate advances in rice breeding, Loveland Products and Dyna-Gro Seed mark the fifth year of collaboration with the Louisiana State University (LSU) AgCenter through the LPI Research Station Support Fund.
The focus for the effort includes early-stage research, expanding faculty grant capacity, and fostering innovation in breeding.
“Our collaboration with the LSU AgCenter is about unlocking the full potential of rice breeding science,” said Randy Ouzts, US Rice Manager at Nutrien Ag Solutions. “By teaming up with top-tier researchers and sharing breeding resources, we’re delivering real-time insights into product performance and regional adaptability. These discoveries are shaping the next generation of innovations that matter to rice producers.”
Results of this private-public partnership include the introduction of multiple commercial rice varieties and a stronger breeding pipeline shared by the two partners.
To recognize this partnership, Loveland Products recently received the Industry Leader Award at the 2025 LSU AgCenter and College of Agriculture AgExcellence ceremony.
