Potato crop management system expanding into 13 states

Picketa Systems is expanding a crop management system initially designed for potatoes into 13 states.

The LENS system analyzes crop tissues and compares them to a global database of crop conditions gathered from thousands of plants at different growth stages. LENS estimates the nutrient content of 13 key macro and micronutrients.

Its reliability has been demonstrated through repeated studies conducted across hundreds of fields on four continents, according to Picketa Systems.

Launched in November 2022, LENS has expanded its capabilities to include tissue analysis of corn. In 2024, the system is being adopted in California, Utah, Wisconsin, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Mississippi, according to the company. Picketa is partnering with leading agronomists, crop consultants, retailers, co-ops, and input and seed companies to bring instant crop nutrient data to farmers nationwide.

“With instant access to this data, agronomists can now implement the proactive management strategies used in high-value crops like potatoes to precisely manage row crops such as corn,” Xavier Hébert-Couturier, CEO of Picketa Systems, said on the company’s website. “This presents a huge opportunity to enhance crop yields and fertilizer efficiency.

“We’ve heard from countless farmers that the current challenges in collecting this data often result in reliance on visual cues rather than nutrient data, leading to missed opportunities for timely adjustments during the growing season.”

The U.S. expansion coincides with a significant funding round from internal stakeholders, according to Picketa Systems.

“Our team is thrilled to witness the widespread adoption of the LENS, first in potatoes and now in corn. We believe that the LENS is not just an innovative technology but the ultimate crop management strategy,” Hébert-Couturier said.

Founded in 2020, Picketa Systems was named the Most Innovative Startup at the 2023 InnovateNB Awards.