Alltech Crop Science acquires Ideagro

Alltech Crop Science acquires Ideagro, a leading research and development company in the agri-food sector.

This acquisition will boost research on soils and crops; with which better biological solutions based on microorganisms will be obtained, destined for world agricultural production.

[Lexington, Kentucky] – In order to strengthen your commitment to Working Together for a Planet of Plenty™, Alltech Crop Science has acquired ideagro, company based in Murcia, Spain. This acquisition unites two leading companies to advance research on soils and crops; This will enhance Alltech's agricultural division's offering of microorganism-based biologics to its customers around the world.

“We are pleased to announce that Ideagro joins the Alltech family of companies, being an ally that shares our vision and significantly boosts our research capabilities”, noted Andy Thomas (CEO of Alltech Crop Science). "This acquisition represents the consolidation of a long collaboration as we have worked closely with the Ideagro team since its foundation 11 years ago."

Ideagro is a leading company in the research and development of trials in the agri-food sector, with a team made up of more than 20 scientists committed to improving the productivity and profitability of agricultural systems. Ideagro's knowledge in promoting beneficial microorganisms for soils optimizes crop growth, reduces the harmful impact of chemical products and helps plants strengthen their defenses. Its analytical capabilities –with emphasis on in vitro research, phytopathology, soil dynamics and microorganisms– make it possible to detect microorganisms and determine the enzymatic activity of the soil.

"We are facing a great growth opportunity for Ideagro because we are going to have better means and greater technological capacity to develop our research, which will now have a global projection", said Pedro Palazón (CEO of Ideagro). "We will no longer only study the soils of the Iberian Peninsula, but we will work with soils from all over the world to achieve a more sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture."

Ideagro has state-of-the-art laboratories and experimental research facilities and fields for carrying out tests in which to date, more than 90 different crops have been studied and more than 10,000 physical-chemical and biological analyzes have been carried out. This has made possible the development of new agricultural strategies based on the use of microorganisms.

Ideagro's three laboratories have the most advanced technologies to focus on nutraceuticals, phytopathology, research and development, and molecular biology. Their services include:

• Diagnosis, identification and semi-quantification (precise) of more than 290 microorganisms –at the species level– in different crops. In addition, through its multispecific detection kits, up to 40 pathogenic microorganisms can be simultaneously detected in a single sample with results in 24-48 hours.

• Molecular identification of microorganisms, as well as genetic characterization of specific strains and determination of pathotypes of pathogens.

• Analysis of nematodes.

• Design of special sensors for specific microorganisms. Thus, these can be detected in soil, water, plant material and/or biostimulants.

• Analysis of mycotoxins with more than 15,000 tests carried out to date –being able to identify and quantify the risks of aflatoxin B1, fumonisins, zearalenone, deoxynivalenol or T-2 toxin–. In addition to monthly reports on mycotoxin contamination in animal diets and in the main crops in Spain and Europe.

Ideagro is accredited by the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Food and Environment (EOR 82/13); and has the ISO 9001:2015 quality standard certificate. Likewise, in June 2021 the company was appointed national reference laboratory of GLOSOLAN (FAO's Global Network of Soil Laboratories).

"Ideagro's specialization, together with Alltech's reach, will allow us to share with the sector the knowledge we have about the relationship between soil, crops, animals and people's health," added Andy Thomas. "The significance of these insights cannot be underestimated as we strive to improve our important global food system from the ground up."

To learn more about Alltech Crop Science, visit alltech.com/crop-science.