Picketa Systems Secures $2.1 Million to Enhance Real-Time Crop Nutrition Platform as Fertilizer Costs Surge

Key Takeaways

Picketa Systems has raised USD 2.1 million to enhance its LENS technology for real-time crop nutrient assessment.
The LENS device helps farmers save up to 20% on fertilizer costs by providing immediate insights on nutrient needs.
Over 45 agricultural retailers are currently using the LENS across key crops in North America, including soybeans and wheat.

Funding for Agricultural Innovation

Picketa Systems has successfully closed a USD 2.1 million funding round, led by Tall Grass Ventures, with contributions from BDC Seed Fund, Verdex Capital, and others. This investment aims to enhance the LENS (Leaf Evaluated Nutrient System) technology, designed to revolutionize nutrient assessment in the field.

Amid soaring fertilizer prices—up 49%—70% of American farmers struggle to afford necessary inputs. Picketa’s LENS technology offers a solution by delivering instant readings on essential macro and micronutrients, enabling farmers to make timely and data-driven decisions about fertilizer use.

Wilson Acton from Tall Grass Ventures emphasized the significance of real-time data in optimizing application decisions, reducing reliance on outdated methods. The LENS device, capable of providing nutrient assessments in under a minute, integrates seamlessly with Fieldbook, Picketa’s crop management platform, allowing agronomists to act on critical data immediately.

Mark Smith of BDC Seed Fund praised Picketa’s innovative approach, noting its potential to reshape agricultural decision-making. The funding will facilitate the expansion of LENS technology across the U.S. and Canada, as over 45 agricultural retailers incorporate it for in-season fertility recommendations, benefiting numerous farmers who can monitor crop nutrient conditions in real time.

The device currently supports key crops, including potatoes, corn, canola, soybeans, and wheat, representing over 70% of North America’s crop acreage. The addition of soybeans and wheat was supported by successful pilot programs that gathered thousands of samples to validate the technology amidst fertilizer volatility.

World record soybean yield holder Chris Weaver highlighted the substantial advantages offered by the LENS, stating that immediate results drastically enhance the ability to respond to field issues. Picketa is also recognized as one of five companies selected for Farm Credit Canada’s Agriculture Innovation, Validation and Adoption Network, reinforcing its commitment to innovative solutions in agriculture.

Company CEO Xavier Hebert-Couturier projected a future where fertilizers are applied automatically based on real-time crop data, improving efficiency and productivity within farming practices. The ultimate goal is to ensure agronomists can quickly assess any crop’s needs, optimizing fertilizer application based on accurate data rather than guesswork.

For more information on the LENS and Fieldbook platform for the 2026 growing season, visit: secureyourlens.

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