Today's Agriculture Pulse
Corn‑based biopolymer ‘plantymer’ promises sustainable plastic alternative
Scientists from China and the Netherlands have created a corn‑protein biopolymer called “plantymer” using a spider‑silk‑inspired process. The material, derived from the protein zein, offers silk‑like rigidity and strong moisture and oxygen barriers, and it degrades up to 80% within a month in simulated soil.
Also developing:
New Livestock Carbon Accounting Method to Encompass Sheep
The Australian government is fast‑tracking a new Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) livestock method that expands eligibility beyond beef cattle to include sheep, feedlot cattle and dairy cattle. Developed by Meat & Livestock Australia, the scheme will replace the Beef Cattle Herd Management method that expires on 30 September 2025 and will incorporate the latest methane‑reducing feed‑additive science. While the method omits a biogenic methane accounting component, it is backed by a $29 million (≈$19 million USD) federal investment in research and a $6.2 million (≈$4.1 million USD) grant for seaweed feed trials. Existing projects can keep generating ACCUs until their crediting periods conclude.
Guardian SC1 Revolutionizes Large-Scale Aerial Crop Protection
GUARDIAN SC1: Advanced Aerial Crop Protection System Transforming Large-Scale Farming via @WevolverApp #AgriTech #TechForGood #Innovation #Tech #Technology https://t.co/lnT5SlaQmG
Government Announces Winners in £50m Agri-Tech Funding Round
Britain’s Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) and Innovate UK have announced the recipients of a £50 million agri‑tech funding round. The grants will support a portfolio of startups, research institutes and farmer‑led consortia developing nature‑based technologies to raise...
Nestlé Partners with Regenerative Farming Platform Soil Capital
Nestlé announced a four‑year partnership with Soil Capital, a regenerative farming platform. The collaboration will roll out agronomic advice, carbon‑measurement tools, and financial incentives to farmers in France, Belgium and the United Kingdom. The initiative supports Nestlé’s broader climate‑action roadmap...
Vivici Sees 30% Boost in Titers, Yield, via Cell Productivity Tech From Enduro Genetics
Vivici, a precision‑fermentation startup producing whey beta‑lactoglobulin, integrated Enduro Genetics' Enduro Sense plug‑in into its production strain. Within five months the technology delivered a 30% lift in both titers and yields while using the same feedstock and bioreactor setup. The...
Genetically Switched Microbes Aim to Cut Synthetic Nitrogen Use
Nitrogen fertilizer feeds 4 billion people. It also uses 2% of global energy to produce and loses nearly half of what's applied to runoff. Biology has promised a fix for decades. The problem: engineered microbes that make nitrogen can't also compete...
West Asia Conflict: India's Soybean Meal Exports Fall 63%
India’s soybean meal exports plunged 63% in March 2026, falling to 60,000 tonnes from 162,000 tonnes a year earlier, as high domestic prices and the West‑Asia conflict disrupted shipments. Key markets such as Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and...
Fertiliser Shortages Due to Iran War Are a Key Worry for Developing World, UN Agency Says
The United Nations International Trade Centre warned that the Iran‑U.S. conflict is choking fertilizer shipments, with about one‑third of global urea normally transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Blockades threaten supplies to key developing economies in Africa and Asia, risking lower...
Reducing Fertiliser Import Dependence Vital: Jat, Secretary DARE
Secretary M L Jat of India’s Department of Agricultural Research and Education urged a rapid shift toward self‑reliant fertiliser use as part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat 2047 vision. India consumes roughly 33 million tonnes of fertiliser each year, with a sizable share imported, prompting...
Nestlé and Purina Post Regenerative Agriculture Milestones in Europe
Nestlé announced a four‑year partnership with regenerative‑farming specialist Soil Capital to roll out climate‑friendly practices across its supply chains in France, Belgium and the UK. The program will work with roughly 230 farmers managing about 13,000 ha of wheat, corn, barley...
2,000+ Supply Ships Stranded: Iran War Puts Food Security at Risk
More than 2,000 vessels carrying grains, edible oils, soft commodities and fertilizers are stranded in the Strait of Hormuz due to the ongoing Iran conflict. The blockage threatens spoilage of perishable cargoes and creates immediate shortages for food‑and‑beverage manufacturers, while...
EU Sustainable Supply Chains Coalition Created in Run up to EUDR
European food manufacturers, NGOs, and certification bodies have launched the EU Sustainable Supply Chains Coalition to influence the upcoming EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). The coalition, which includes Nestlé, Mars, Ferrero, Barry Callebaut, Rainforest Alliance and RSPO, aims to ensure that EU...
Daybreak April 14: Former Chief Economist: Fertilizer Pullback May Not Significantly Impact Yields
Former USDA chief economist Joe Glauber told an agricultural panel that growers can trim fertilizer use despite high prices without a major hit to yields. Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor urged pairing year‑round E15 ethanol sales with Renewable Fuel Standard...
Coffee Crops Are Dying From a Fungus with Species-Jumping Genes
A fungus called Fusarium xylarioides is killing coffee plants worldwide through coffee wilt disease. Researchers reconstructed historical strains and sequenced genomes, discovering that the pathogen acquired virulence genes via horizontal gene transfer from Fusarium oxysporum, including mobile “Starship” elements. These...
CONAB: Big Brazil Soybean Crop Getting Bigger
Brazil’s agricultural agency CONAB lifted its 2026 soybean forecast to a record 179.152 million metric tons, a 4.5 % increase over 2025, driven by an all‑time high yield outlook. The same report projects total corn production at 139.572 million tons, with the second‑crop...
Up to 50% of a Strawberry Plant's Sale Price Goes Towards Transport
Intelligent Growth Solutions (IGS) promotes vertical‑farm growth towers to produce strawberry starter plants in a controlled, biosecure environment. The company highlights that up to 50% of a plant’s final sale price can be eaten by transport and cold‑chain logistics, making...
Vertical Options Draw Youth to Growing in South Korea
Nubo, a South Korean ag‑tech firm, launched a six‑story container vertical farm in Gimje that grew 2,200 basil plants under fully automated climate control. A YouTube video of the operation, posted in July, has drawn about 130,000 views. The company’s...
Critical Success Factors for New CEA Operations
The article outlines the critical success factors for launching and scaling a vertical farm, emphasizing the need for a two‑stage planning approach—first a feasibility plan, then a full business plan. It breaks down capital and operating cost categories, from real‑estate...
A Stronger Signal for Hydroponic Leafy Greens in Latin America
Cultivators hosted its second annual GreenTech Americas workshop in Querétaro, drawing more than 60 participants—a 50% increase over last year—to discuss hydroponic leafy greens in Latin America. Speakers from Rijk Zwaan, VB and Flier Systems highlighted how variety selection, high‑tech greenhouse automation,...
Why Fertilizer Prices Could Remain High Into 2027
Rabobank’s semi‑annual fertilizer outlook warns that phosphate prices will stay above $1,000 per ton through 2027, driven by geopolitical shocks from the U.S.–Iran conflict and potential Strait of Hormuz closures. The 12‑month affordability index for nitrogen, phosphate and potash has...
Sustainable Fertilizer Practice Causes Increased Cadmium in Rice, Study Shows
A study by Wageningen University published in Nature Food shows that large‑scale recycling of manure in Chinese paddy fields raises soil cadmium, which eventually accumulates in rice. While manure reduces soil acidification and cuts mineral phosphorus fertilizer use, it also...
"Working with Industry Leaders Enables Us to Accelerate the Path From Research to the Field"
Biotalys announced its first research milestone in a partnership with Syngenta to develop a novel bio‑insecticide. Laboratory tests using Biotalys’ Agrobody protein platform delivered promising in‑vitro activity against key insect molecular targets. The collaboration now moves to in‑vivo testing on...
Making Sure that the Investment in a High Tunnel Will Pay Off
High‑tunnel greenhouses are emerging as a cost‑effective alternative to traditional glass structures, offering growers a fast path to profitability. A 30′ × 96′ tunnel can house roughly 275 tomato plants, producing 6,875 lb and $20,625 in revenue at $3 per pound, covering the...
Cropshader Approved for Organic Farming in Europe
Lumiforte's Cropshader, a starch‑based liquid shading coating, has received Ecocert verification for organic farming in Europe. The product creates a reflective film on fruit and foliage, lowering canopy temperatures and cutting sunburn incidents. Field trials show it outperforms traditional kaolin...
Ghanaian Farm Plans 3,000-Ton Tomato Supply Expansion
Ghana’s Ministry of Food and Agriculture announced that Maphlix Farms will place 3,000 tons of tomatoes on the market by year‑end, using a mix of greenhouse and open‑field production. The farm has already begun harvesting, with three‑day picking cycles to maintain...
UAE Airlifts over 3,000 Tons of Produce From India for Vishu Demand
Lulu Group has air‑freighted more than 3,153 tonnes of Kerala fruit, vegetables and traditional items to the Gulf ahead of the Hindu New Year festival Vishu. The shipments, including jackfruit, banana leaves, kani konna flowers and coconuts, arrived via a National Airlines...
Steaming Strawberry Plants for a Smooth Start of the Season
Belgian grower Aardbeien Vergeyle has expanded its use of Moleda’s Plantsauna steam‑treatment to 17 pallets of Karima strawberry plants for the new season. The steam process gently heats plants with aerated steam, eliminating pathogens without chemicals. Early observations show steam‑treated...
Nordica A81 Opens a New Chapter for Northern Highbush Blueberry Varieties
Blueberica’s Nordica A81, a northern highbush blueberry, has completed three commercial years in Chile, delivering yields of 3.5‑4.5 kg per plant (some exceeding 5 kg) and fruit over 18 mm with a 60‑65‑day post‑harvest life. The variety matches southern cultivars in size, firmness...
Tropic’s Non-Browning Banana Secures New Key Market Approvals
Tropic, a UK‑based ag‑biotech firm, received regulatory clearance for its non‑browning banana in Japan and Brazil, allowing import, sale, and cultivation in the latter. The approvals expand the company’s footprint in two of the world’s most influential fruit markets and...
New Zealand Launches Public Consultation on Import Requirements for Fresh Blueberries
New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries has opened a public consultation to create import requirements for fresh blueberries intended for human consumption. The comment period runs from March 31 to May 15, inviting industry and technical stakeholders to weigh in. The initiative...
TRI Launches Agri-Voltaic Project to Help Farmers Earn Double Income
Transform Rural India (TRI) has rolled out an agrivoltaic micro‑grid program in Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh, letting farmers generate solar power while cultivating crops on the same land. A 43‑kilowatt system now powers ten irrigation pumps across 100 acres, serving...
High‑speed Liquid Manure Application Integrates Cover Crops
How could you sidedress liquid 💩 at a much higher scale with high speeds, lower rates, Just in Time…while integrating cover crops for water and soil quality? We parlay what we learned with our “602” bu footprint corn and set up...
Organic Cotton Summit 2026 Targets Supply Chain, Production Challenges
The Organic Cotton Summit 2026, jointly hosted by the Organic Cotton Accelerator and Textile Exchange, will convene fashion brands, retailers, farmers, and policymakers to tackle supply‑chain and production challenges. The agenda focuses on traceability, climate‑resilience financing, regulatory shifts, and boosting...
McGill Opens State-of-the-Art Greenhouse and Research Platform at Macdonald Campus
McGill University has inaugurated a $23.8 million (≈$17.4 million USD) state‑of‑the‑art teaching greenhouse and plant phenotyping platform at its Macdonald Campus. The facility features controlled growing bays, tissue‑culture labs, and classroom space to give students hands‑on experience with climate‑smart agriculture. In partnership...
XFarm Technologies Partners with Banco Santander to Digitise Spanish Agriculture
xFarm Technologies and Banco Santander have formed a partnership to deliver the xFarm digital farm management platform to selected Spanish farmers. The collaboration gives eligible Santander clients access to satellite monitoring, agrometeorology data, and integrated farm‑management tools at no disclosed...
Auburn University & USDA Launch Collaborative Drone and AI Research Initiative
Assistant Professor Andre da Silva at Auburn University is leading a multi‑disciplinary effort to grow hops in Alabama’s challenging climate. The project combines greenhouse trials, field experiments, mulching techniques, and genetic analysis to pinpoint cultivars that thrive locally. Partnerships with...
Boehringer Ingelheim Launches LENZELTA Mastitis Vaccine for Dairy Cattle in European Union
Boehringer Ingelheim has secured an FDA Emergency Use Authorization for its IVOMEC® 1% ivermectin injection, allowing it to prevent New World screwworm infestations in cattle at key intervention points. The EUA permits treatment within 24 hours of birth, at castration,...
India’s Soyabean Imports Surge to 3.09 Lakh Tonnes During Oct-Mar 2025-26 Oil Year
India’s soybean imports have surged to 3.09 lakh tonnes (≈309,000 t) in the Oct‑Mar 2025‑26 oil year, up sharply from just 0.02 lakh tonnes a year earlier. The rise reflects tighter domestic supply, with projected output falling to 110.26 lakh tonnes (≈11.0 Mt), a 14%...
Weekly Genetics Review: The C Word We Shouldn’t Avoid
Australian beef producers are urged to embed consistency in both management and genetics to ensure superior cattle appear each generation. The article stresses defining measurable breeding objectives—pregnancy within four months, a calf per cow annually, and average weaner weight—as the...
Further Food Price Pain on the Cards for Consumers as Agri Sector Faces Higher Input Costs
South Africa’s agricultural sector is confronting sharply higher input costs as urea prices surge above $650 per tonne and diesel climbs roughly 40% per litre. Elevated freight surcharges and constrained vessel availability are inflating export expenses, while logistics disruptions threaten...
Prolonged Hormuz Crisis Could Trigger Agrifood Catastrophe, UN Warns
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization warned that a prolonged crisis in the Strait of Hormuz could spark a global agrifood catastrophe. Disruptions to fertilizer and energy exports would drive up food prices and compress crop yields. FAO chief...
New NatureLedger for Better Decisions on Managing Vegetation
AgCarE has launched NatureLedger, a bespoke dataset that delivers farm‑specific maps, clearing histories and biodiversity risk assessments to help Australian producers comply with the revised EPBC Act and tap into carbon‑biodiversity markets. The service consolidates publicly available data into a...
AWA Board to Review Cloning and Associated Regulation in Beef Cattle
The Australian Wagyu Association (AWA) announced a board‑level review of genetic cloning practices and the regulatory framework governing them in the beef sector. The review, prompted by member requests, will examine FSANZ policies, international import rules, and the implications for...
Bluu Reaches Industrial Production of Cultivated Fish Cells for Personal Care & Seafood
German startup Bluu has achieved industrial‑scale cultivation of Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout cells in 1,000‑litre bioreactors, and has demonstrated harvests in 10,000‑litre reactors through a partnership with Dutch firm Cultivate at Scale. The joint platform aims to supply marine‑derived...
AI-Built Plant Journal Goes Live in Under an Hour
On Sunday, in under an hour we built a plant journal and it works so well on my computer or phone. I blabbered on to Antigravity about what I wanted and then asked the agent manager to ask me questions one...
China’s March Soybean Imports Slump Far Below Expectations
🇨🇳China imported 4.02 million metric tons of soybeans in March, well below expectations and the month's average (both ~6 mmt). Halfway through 2025/26, total imports were a 3-yr high BUT below the 5-yr avg on minimal US arrivals. 10+ mmt per...
Kenya, Egypt and Uganda Launch AI‑Enabled Climate Camera to ISS in Historic African Collaboration
The Kenya Space Agency, together with the Egyptian Space Agency and Uganda’s National Space Programme, launched the 3.5‑kg AI‑driven ClimCam payload to the International Space Station on 11 April 2026. Riding on a SpaceX Falcon 9 and Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus XL NG‑24, the mission will...
KhetiBuddy Is Turning Fragmented Farm Data Into Business Intelligence
Indian startup KhetiBuddy offers a modular SaaS platform that unifies fragmented farm data across crop management, supply chain, ERP, and sustainability. Launched in 2021, its Verdnt upgrade adds weather alerts, satellite monitoring, and pest identification, enabling real‑time decision‑making for mid‑to‑large...
AI Robot Boosts Safety in Hazardous Grain Warehouses
Chinese #AI-Powered #Robot Revolutionizing Safety in Hazardous Grain #Warehouses by @tweetciiiim #Robotics #Engineering #ArtificialIntelligence #Innovation #Technology https://t.co/trQkCBKkY1
ICE Canola Futures Jump $5‑$6 per Tonne on Strong Demand and Rising Veg‑Oil Prices
ICE canola futures surged $5‑$6 per tonne amid robust demand and climbing vegetable‑oil and energy markets. The rally reflects tighter global veg‑oil supplies, higher freight costs and a broader grain market rebound, raising concerns for Canadian growers and downstream food...