b'Thats a bit of how we think about it, Norgate says. Bringing this tool set. getting it in the hands of their sales force to help them make better decisions for their farmers.EarthOptics is also helping seed companies improve how they run field trials.We work with a number of partners. doing the measure-ments for their seed trials, Dyrud says. We come in, do our full set of measurements, including chemistry and biology. and that allows us to start improving our models around the kind of placement that Cams talking to.Deeper Roots, Stronger TraitsWith more traits focused on sustainability, nitrogen efficiency, and disease resistance, Norgate says EarthOptics is ready to help validate performance.So, if you know you have compaction, well, then that can help you to choose kind of which seed is going to perform well in that heavier compaction type environment, Norgate explains.Norgate says much of the breeding work is actually focused on disease resistance, and referring back to their biological data is a key part of that process.Lars Dyrud is the co-founder and CEO of EarthOptics.Norgate explains that with new diseases constantly emerging, breeders are in a continuous cycle of responding by developing improved resistance through breeding efforts. And knowing what youre up against. really helps you to place those seeds that have kind of that privileged genetic line, making sure you get them in the right field.Dyrud adds: Theres a lot of growers that are solving a compaction problem with the seed placement. Theyre trying to solve problems that result from the compaction that they could actually just get that cleared upor if they knew it was an issuethat theres a different rated seed that theyd actually be going after.Biologicals, Bundles and the Path AheadEarthOptics also supports biological product recommendationsespecially seed-applied biofertility treatments.Were finding 10, 20-bushel yield gains when they get the right product into the right field on that seed, Norgate says.Thats not just added yieldits added value for seed reps, too. Thats like a new business for them, Norgate says. They add that on top of the seed theyre selling.Looking ahead, Dyrud views artificial intelligence as theCam Norgate is the co-founder and chief product officer of companys next major advancement. He envisions a near futureEarthOptics.where soil samples are fed into a biological AI system that ana-lyzes the microbiomes DNA and provides precise recommenda- The core of agriculture. becomes more and more important in tions to optimize field performance. this future emerging world.He still remains focused on the core mission. Our biggestDyrud brings it full circle: Theres two sides of the equation goal is, again, more farmers, more agronomists. . one is helping farmers maximize their yield, but with all this Norgate says the foundational needs of agriculture arentdata and insight, we can also help them reduce spend across the going anywhere. We will be continuing to sell seed and need toboard too. So, its really about maximizing the ROI on the invest-place that seed effectively and get that in the ground, he says.ments youre making in your crop every single year.18/ SEEDWORLD.COMJUNE 2025'