April 8, 2025 — Foresight Canada and the Ontario Soil Network (OSN) have named Picketa Systems, a New Brunswick agtech company, as the winners of the Next-Gen Nitrogen Challenge. Picketa Systems’ proprietary LENS technology delivers real-time, data-driven analysis of plant and soil health—enabling growers to optimize resource use, increase crop yields, and reduce environmental impact.
As part of their win, Picketa Systems will partner with the OSN to pilot their technology at Ontario farms. This pilot will allow Picketa to further refine and validate their solution in diverse agricultural environments, supporting Canada’s journey toward a more resilient, efficient, and sustainable food future.
Agriculture accounts for approximately 10% of Canada's greenhouse gas emissions, with nitrous oxide, primarily from fertilizer use and soil management, a key concern. Accelerating the adoption of technologies that improve nutrient management, enhance carbon sequestration, and enable precision soil and plant monitoring is essential to reducing GHG emissions, strengthening food security, and positioning Canada as a leader in sustainable agriculture.
Addressing the Adoption Gap
While North America is home to many accelerators, a significant gap remains in supporting the adoption of cleantech solutions. Recognizing the need to bridge innovators with industry leaders, Foresight introduced the Innovation Challenge program. To date, Foresight has conducted over 65 challenges, establishing itself as the only North American accelerator linking cleantech ventures with end users. These targeted challenges aim to connect national and international buyers with innovative solutions that enhance efficiency, profitability, and environmental sustainability, thereby addressing the adoption gap for innovators.
Learn more about Foresight’s Innovation Challenges.
The Next-Gen Nitrogen Challenge is a chance for us to showcase how the LENS can improve outcomes by changing how fertility decisions are made in agriculture. With real-time nutrient data, we can help improve nitrogen use efficiency, reduce input costs, and support strong yields with some of the most forward-thinking farmers in Ontario. We’re excited to show how 4R nutrient management can practically be implemented on your farm through case studies, while also testing new precision application tools and methods. This project helps us complete the sense-prescribe-apply loop for in-season fertility for all nutrients, making it easier for farmers to take action based on what their crops actually need.
Xavier Hébert-Couturier CEO, Picketa Systems
Through the Farmer Innovation and Research Ecosystem (FIRE) the Ontario Soil Network works to bring innovative solutions that contribute to the economic and environmental sustainability of farms. The NextGen Nitrogen Challenge aimed to increase data driven management decisions to improve the use of nitrogen, therefore improving productivity and environmental outcomes. We are looking forward to partnering with Picketa to continue to improve the way nitrogen is managed on farms in Ontario through improved decision-making with real time data.
Lorraine Vandermyden Research & Demonstration Coordinator, Ontario Soils Network
Congratulations to Picketa Systems on their well-deserved win! Canada is a leader in innovation for agriculture, and this Challenge demonstrates the incredible potential we have to further enhance productivity and sustainability through groundbreaking technology. We are thrilled to see how Picketa Systems’ will continue to tackle the world's most pressing agricultural challenges.
Jeanette Jackson CEO, Foresight Canada
About Picketa Systems
Picketa Systems offers real-time plant tissue sampling for growers and agri-businesses to conduct nutrient analyses rapidly and independently. Their online platform informs farmers instantly of nutrient deficiencies, enables agronomists to tailor nutrient critical levels and delivers a comprehensive overview of crop needs at the glimpse of a dashboard. Picketa is on a mission to integrate real-time plant tissue analysis into the agricultural workflow, enabling responsible and optimal resource management for growers, food processors, and fertilizer companies
About Ontario Soil Network (OSN)
The OSN is a farmer-led network where farmers work together to adopt and promote practical, proven approaches to improving soil health. Through the strength of the network, we share knowledge, strengthen communities, and support each other to improve soil health and ensure a strong future for our farms and families.
About Foresight Canada
Foresight Canada helps the world do more with less, sustainably. As Canada's largest cleantech innovation and adoption accelerator, they connect public and private sectors to the world’s best clean technologies, de-risking and simplifying the adoption of innovative solutions that improve productivity, profitability, and economic competitiveness, all while addressing today’s most urgent climate challenges.
