Grind up rocks, throw them on your farmland, and you’ll boost yields while also saving the planet. At least, that’s the message being sold by proponents of “enhanced rock weathering” (ERW), who claim that adding rock dust to soils enhances fertility and removes CO2 from the air. But what exactly is it and what are …
What You Need to Know About “Enhanced Rock Weathering” Read More »
PitchBook agtech analyst Alex Frederick says that it’s premature to declare a full recovery, “cautious optimism is warranted.” Several factors are driving the uptick in VC funding in agtech, including “stabilizing valuations after the market volatility of recent years, allowing investors and founders to find common ground; a focus on larger investments in companies with …
A new incentive program born of a collaboration between McDonald’s, Syngenta, and Lopez Foods will pay cattle producers to use a special corn designed to reduce gaseous emissions. Syngenta says its “Enogen” corn improves overall feed efficiency and helps cattle put on weight faster, and can even enhance ethanol production. Under the new collaboration, McDonald’s …
The chorus of voices that want to bring radical change to the way American farmers farm seems to be growing louder as they seek to sway sympathetic ears in Washington. Campaigns against pesticide use in particular threaten not only U.S. agricultural output but vital Farm Bill programs that support the ag economy. Pesticides are …
What the Loss of Glyphosate Would Cost American Farmers Read More »
The US rural population continues to grow, according to USDA’s 2024 edition of “Rural America at a Glance.” Population gains between 2020 to 2023 occurred in almost all county types regardless of degree of rurality. In total, around 46 million people lived in rural counties in 2023, comprising about 14% of the U.S. population. The …
Rural America at a Glance 2024 Edition: Population Rebound Continues Read More »
Minnesota is known as the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” because it literally has over 14,000 bodies of fresh water within its borders. The northernmost contiguous state in the union is also an agricultural powerhouse, ranking sixth in the nation in the value of products sold. A large producer of corn and soybeans, Minnesota claims to …
As most are likely aware, the 2018 Farm Bill expired last year and was given a one-year extension to September 30, 2024, followed by another extension coming up on December 31. While farm and ag industry leaders are pressuring the lame-duck Congress to get a new Farm Bill across the finish line before the end …
Where Things Stand on Farm Economy Relief in Washington Read More »
As part of California Governor Gavin Newsom’s efforts to lower the state’s absurdly high gas prices, state officials are taking steps to adopt the use of E15 fuel, which contains a 15% blend of ethanol in gasoline. The majority of gasoline sold in California contains a 10% of ethanol, and they now stand alone in …
Researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) have developed an “artificial nose” that can detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with impressive accuracy. The breakthrough could revolutionize how we identify a host of hazards, including spoiled food, early disease, dangerous gases, air pollution, and more. Professor Michael Cheffena of NTNU says the key …
“Artificial Nose” Can Sniff Out Spoiled and Contaminated Food Read More »
The Grand Canyon State has a rich agricultural economy thanks to its year-round sunshine and a surprisingly diverse climate. Nearly a third of Arizona farms and ranches raise cattle, with a total around 1 million head in the state. The state is also well known for its milk, cotton, and alfalfa production. Not surprisingly, all …
