The Van Trump Report

Cool Idea…”The Reservoir” is a New On-Farm Incubator for Ag Robotics

Automation in agriculture is moving forward at increasing speed as technologies finally catch up to the industry’s needs. However, many farm robotics and automation startups lack a key resource – a real farm to prove their technology.  “The Reservoir” is a unique new incubator for these startups, where they’re not only developing early-stage agtech innovations …

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AI-Powered Detection Tool Providing Earlier Detection for Highly Destructive Soybean Pests

Leading AI-powered solutions provider, Agmatix recently announced a partnership with BASF, one of the world’s largest chemical and agricultural solutions companies, to develop a cutting-edge digital solution aimed at detecting and predicting the presence of soybean cyst nematode. The SCN, a microscopic roundworm, is one of the most destructive pests affecting soybean crops, causing annual losses estimated at $1.5 …

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Could China’s New High-Protein Corn Affect U.S. Soybean Exports?

China is rapidly advancing “high-protein” corn development to help decrease its dependence on soybean imports. Researchers at Huazhong Agricultural University have engineered corn varieties containing +10% protein, two percentage points higher than conventional strains. Each +1% protein increase could slash China’s soybean import demand by -8 million tonnes annually, directly supporting President Xi Jinping’s mandate to secure the country’s food sovereignty through technological …

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New Initiative “Farm Athletes” Aims to Provide Scholarship Opportunities for Farm Kid Athletes

“Farm Athletes” was launched last year as a platform aimed at connecting college athletes from agricultural backgrounds with “Name, Image, and Likeness” (NIL) opportunities. The initiative has evolved into a mission to address a significant gap in financial aid by providing scholarships for these hardworking farm kids athletes. Farm Athletes was started by Zach Bosle, …

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Why the Ag Industry is Freaking Out About a Proposed Port Fee on Chinese-Built Ships

As the new Trump Administration continues to implement changes, one idea being explored has sparked strong pushback from across industries, including agriculture. The U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR) office has proposed slapping Chinese-built vessels with a series of new fees that could add up to more than $1 million for every U.S. port call. The proposed …

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Farm Robotics, Mechanization & Equipment Drive Increase in Agritech Funding

Investment in agrifoodtech has shrunk dramatically since its peak in 2021. Global agrifoodtech investment in 2024 reached $16 billion, down a whopping -71.5%. However, in the U.S., agrifoodtech startups increased funding by +14% to $6.6 billion, which some see as a signal that investment in the sector is stabilizing. Similar to many other industries, an …

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Deeper Look at South American Corn Crops

Brazil corn growers have finished up second-crop, aka “safrinha” planting, while producers in Argentina are ramping up harvest. Below are a few more details…Brazil’s safrinha corn crop, which is planted directly following their soybean harvest, is one of the country’s most important exports. Typically planted in January-March, the safrinha crop, which means “little harvest” in …

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