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Pennsylvania-based ZedX boosts BASF’s digital ag intelligence

BASF’s recent acquisition of ZedX grows its global toolbox for ag weather and crop monitoring and for yield forecasting.

John Vogel, Editor, American Agriculturist

May 11, 2017

2 Min Read
DIGITALIZING THE FUTURE: Integrating predictive crop models and satellite-based weather data opens a constantly expanding toolbox for agriculture.Ekkasit919/iStock/ThinkStock

BASF recently announced the acquisition of Pennsylvania-based ZedX, a world leader in developing digital ag intelligence. ZedX, a research and development company headquartered north of State College in Bellefonte, is no stranger to agriculture. Many farmers are already using agronomic models and products it developed.

ZedX was one of the first to develop high-resolution weather databases compatible with Geographic Information System programs. One of the first ventures was HighQ, merging GIS-based soil productivity and corn hybrid selection. Then came SkyBit, a pest and weather predictive system; Ag Scouter; WXDrift; and Irrigation Scheduler programs.

The company also developed nationwide predictive models for gypsy moth, monarch butterflies, European corn borers and soybean rust, and in-field wireless sensing systems to help apple growers. One of its latest projects was developing an interactive “Field to Market” website for sustainable agriculture. Another is Intellicrop, a global crop-monitoring and yield-forecasting system.

Growing BASF’s digital footprint
After three years of collaborative work, BASF knew the value of rapidly translating such data models for more efficient production. “Growers are embracing cutting-edge technology and tools that can help them increase crop yields,” noted Scott Kay, crop production vice president for BASF North America. ZedX’s innovative platforms and strong intelligence capabilities will enhance BASF’s current digital services with critical farm data, he says.

Joe Russo, ZedX’s founder and president, pointed out that the partnership with BASF has already produced great results. “We developed a model that gave the right window of application for a BASF herbicide, acheter cialis sans ordonnance based on important weather and environmental conditions.” Weather conditions, soil temperature, wind speed — all of these factors can influence the performance of crop protection products.

Less than a year ago, Russo received the American Phytopathological Society’s Excellence in Industry Award for developing IT pest problem-solving platforms for land-grant universities and USDA.

The ZedX acquisition complements BASF’s digital farming portfolio, which includes Maglis and Compass Grower Advanced. Maglis is an online platform that connects technology, data and people in a smarter way. It offers a range of integrated and intuitive tools that guide farmers from planning and planting to harvest.

The acquisition is expected to be completed within a few weeks. ZedX products and solutions will soon be available to all key markets.

About the Author

John Vogel

Editor, American Agriculturist

For more than 38 years, John Vogel has been a Farm Progress editor writing for farmers from the Dakota prairies to the Eastern shores. Since 1985, he's been the editor of American Agriculturist – successor of three other Northeast magazines.

Raised on a grain and beef farm, he double-majored in Animal Science and Ag Journalism at Iowa State. His passion for helping farmers and farm management skills led to his family farm's first 209-bushel corn yield average in 1989.

John's personal and professional missions are an integral part of American Agriculturist's mission: To anticipate and explore tomorrow's farming needs and encourage positive change to keep family, profit and pride in farming.

John co-founded Pennsylvania Farm Link, a non-profit dedicated to helping young farmers start farming. It was responsible for creating three innovative state-supported low-interest loan programs and two "Farms for the Future" conferences.

His publications have received countless awards, including the 2000 Folio "Gold Award" for editorial excellence, the 2001 and 2008 National Association of Ag Journalists' Mackiewicz Award, several American Agricultural Editors' "Oscars" plus many ag media awards from the New York State Agricultural Society.

Vogel is a three-time winner of the Northeast Farm Communicators' Farm Communicator of the Year award. He's a National 4-H Foundation Distinguished Alumni and an honorary member of Alpha Zeta, and board member of Christian Farmers Outreach.

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