Originally published July 8, 2025, on RealAgriculture by RealAgriculture News Team.
A British Columbia-based agtech company has acquired a California-based soil genomics testing company known as the “23andMe” for soil DNA analysis.
Miraterra says it has purchased Trace Genomics’ intellectual property, in-market products, and the company’s analytical lab in Ames, Iowa.
Founded in the Bay Area in 2015, Trace Genomics has been a pioneer in the area of biological soil analysis.
Miraterra is the soil health subsidiary of BC-based biological crop protection company Terramera and is known for its advances in Raman spectroscopy, delivering quick chemical and structural analysis of soil, plants, and food.
“We’re making advanced testing more accessible, useful, and trusted across the agricultural value chain. We invite customers to explore Trace’s proven products and our expanding offerings, and we welcome researchers and institutions to partner with us in unlocking new insights from decades of rich soil biology and soil chemistry data,” says Nate Kelly, CEO of Miraterra, in a news release announcing the deal.
“I’m very excited to have Trace back and operational,” says Miles Sorel, founder and CEO of Terraforma, a customer of Trace. “I strongly believe that the ability to optimize soil genomics testing is going to be an incredibly powerful tool. We will soon cross a threshold when this data can be leveraged to greatly improve a farmer’s profitability and the health of their soil.”
Miraterra says its first priority is to continue service to legacy Trace customers and to expand its services to new customers, with staff operating from the Trace lab in Iowa.
In 2023, Taurus Agricultural Marketing announced a multi-year deal to be the exclusive provider of Trace soil diagnostics in Canada. At the time, the companies said Trace’s testing could provide data on over 225 soil pathogens, as well as fertility insights on nitrogen and phosphorus, and the standard soil chemistry information.