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:
Mozza Foods Targets Late 2028 Launch for Soybean-Grown Casein
Mozza Foods, a California molecular‑farming startup, plans to commercialize casein proteins harvested from genetically engineered soybeans by late 2028, pending USDA field‑crop approval and an FDA GRAS filing. The company has raised roughly $24 million and is targeting a technical milestone of 7 g of casein per 100 g of soybeans by year‑end, up from the current 4 g. Mozza’s strategy focuses on a B2B model, leveraging existing soybean and dairy filtration infrastructure to keep capital and operating costs lower than precision‑fermentation rivals. Its proprietary casein micelle formation simplifies downstream processing and enables co‑product streams such as soybean oil and protein feed.
Garlic Compound Blocks Mosquito Mating, Offers Green Pest Control
Garlic contains a compound that disrupts mating and egg-laying in mosquitoes and several fly species by activating specific taste receptors, suggesting a potential for eco-friendly pest control solutions. entomology
The Canadian Wheat Research Coalition Sets a New Vision for Wheat and Barley Breeding in Western Canada
The Canadian Wheat Research Coalition, together with barley researchers, universities and Seeds Canada, released a joint statement outlining a shared vision for wheat and barley breeding in Western Canada. The vision calls for a thriving, innovation‑driven breeding system that balances...
Protein Powder Shortage Threatens America’s Biggest Food Craze
The U.S. protein market is facing a severe whey powder shortage as demand for protein‑fortified foods surges. Prices for standard whey have risen more than 50% since January, with 80% concentrate topping $11 per pound and isolates holding firm in...
TACC: Scientists Uncover New Information on How DNA Works in Maize
Researchers from Florida State University and North Carolina State University, aided by the Texas Advanced Computing Center, have identified two distinct sub‑compartments within maize euchromatin that differ in replication timing and spatial organization. The discovery relied on high‑throughput sequencing and...
Mariculture Systems Approved to Begin the Construction of Offshore Aquaculture Facility in Portugal
Mariculture Systems, an Israeli mariculture firm, secured Portugal’s Aquaculture Activity Title, clearing the final licensing hurdle for its offshore farm. The company will deploy its CORALIS semi‑submersible platform off the Algarve coast, a 50 × 50 meter structure powered by solar and wind....
We Developed a Biodegradable Wash that Can Remove Pesticides and Keep Fruit Fresh Longer
Researchers at the University of British Columbia created a biodegradable wash made from starch nanoparticles, tannic acid and iron that both strips surface pesticide residues and forms a thin protective film to keep produce fresher longer. Lab tests showed the...
Tom Parker Creamery Partners with First Milk to Champion Regenerative British Dairy
Tom Parker Creamery has teamed up with First Milk, a B‑Corp‑certified British farmer‑owned co‑operative, to build a regenerative milk supply chain within a 90‑mile radius of its London‑area creamery. The partnership emphasizes grazing‑based dairy, detailed field‑level data collection, and nature‑positive...
Narrower Alleys Boost Corn Yield and Reduce Manure
Simple physiological landscape design. How big are the plants going to become? How can we arrange for maximum photosynthesis? This 🐖 💩 plot turns the 100” gaps to 60” gaps 602 bu corn on the footprint in the alley 🌽 Can 50% make 301?...
Brazil Hits Record Soybean Exports, China Takes 69%
🇧🇷Brazil exported 16.7 million metric tons (615 mbu) of soybeans in April, a new all-time record. Brazil exported a record 40 mmt (1.48 bbu) in the first four months of 2026. Top destinations by share: 🇨🇳China 69% 🇪🇺EU 8% 🇹🇷Turkey 4% 🇹🇭Thailand 3% https://t.co/YKBbfHBknk
Nationwide Ban Soon on Herbicide Paraquat Dichloride over Toxicity Concerns, Health Risks
India’s central government is poised to impose a nationwide ban on the herbicide Paraquat Dichloride after an expert panel linked the chemical to fatal poisoning, kidney failure, lung fibrosis and Parkinson’s disease. The recommendation follows temporary restrictions already enacted by...
U.S. Urea Imports Soar to Record, Russia Leads Supply
🇺🇸U.S. imports of urea, a nitrogen fertilizer heavily used in farming, hit an all-time high in March 2026. The shipments were valued at $576 million. Q1 2026 imports were up 15% on the year. Top Q1 suppliers by volume: 🇷🇺Russia 30% 🇶🇦Qatar 25% 🇴🇲Oman...
Nitrogen Fertilizer Prices Jump Over $300 per Ton as Iran Conflict Disrupts Supply
U.S. nitrogen fertilizer prices have surged since the Iran‑U.S.-Israel war began on Feb. 28, 2026, with anhydrous ammonia climbing from $828 to $1,123 per ton and 28% nitrogen solution rising 25% to $543 per ton. The spike adds more than $20...
‘Mideast War, El Niño May Weigh on Coconut Industry’
The Philippines’ coconut sector faces a perfect storm as the Middle East war forces the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, inflating ocean freight and war‑risk surcharges. At the same time, a strong El Niño is expected to depress export volumes...
Dairy Barn Flooring Gains Traction as Producers Focus on Hoof Health
In this episode, host Bernard Tobin interviews Adam Stewart of BioRed Agri about the rapid adoption of their rubber flooring solutions for dairy barns, which now account for over 50% of North American sales. Stewart explains how the flooring’s slip-resistant...
Q&A: How Global Trade Tensions Are Reshaping Ag Markets
Geopolitical flashpoints—from the Iran‑linked Strait of Hormuz closure to lingering U.S.-China tariff disputes—are reshaping agricultural markets. Fertilizer prices have spiked as the Hormuz bottleneck persists, while U.S. soybean shipments to China plunged 75% year‑over‑year. Export dynamics are shifting, with corn...
Opinion: The Case for the UP-NS Merger Runs Through America's Heartland
Economists argue that the proposed $85 billion Union Pacific‑Norfolk Southern merger would create the first single‑line transcontinental freight railroad in the United States, linking the West and East coasts. By eliminating the current hand‑off at interchange points such as Chicago, the...
China’s Weekly Soybean Crush Volume Stable at 1.62 Million Tonnes Ahead of Labor Day Holiday: NFSRDC
China's soybean crushing activity held steady at 1.62 million tonnes in the week to May 1, matching the previous week and remaining above last year’s level. Imported soybean inventories at major crush plants rose to 4.93 million tonnes, while soybean meal and oil...
“The Hands-On Experience Has Been Transformative for All of Us”
Rutgers University’s new Student Basic Needs Center houses Agoraponic Farms, a student‑run hydroponic operation that grows leafy greens on LED‑lit shelves. In its first month the system yields about 10 pounds of produce for roughly 100 students and has donated $4,000...
Rethinking “Sustainable Growing Media” In Greenhouse Production
A forthcoming paper in Frontiers in Horticulture critiques the vague use of “sustainable growing media” in greenhouse production and calls for a rigorous, evidence‑based definition. The authors, led by Dr. Alexander Sentinella, argue that labels such as “peat‑free” are misleading...
Day 1 Agenda Released for the Leafy Hydroponics Summit 2026
The Leafy Hydroponics Summit 2026 released its Day 1 agenda, centering on the complete lifecycle of hydroponic leafy‑greens production. The program targets commercial growers, investors and partners, covering project planning, greenhouse design, LED lighting, automation and value‑chain integration. It also unveils...
VGreens Raises Two Million Euros for AI-Controlled Plant Cultivation
German ag‑tech startup vGreens announced a €2 million (approximately $2.2 million) financing round to expand its AI‑driven, sensor‑based plant cultivation platform. The round features strategic investors such as fruit wholesaler Frutania, equipment maker Dürr, Christ Capital and venture fund Vornvc, alongside existing...
Huckleberry Signals Is Helping the Fresh Produce Supply Chain Turn Scattered Data Into Answers
Huckleberry Signals, founded by industry veterans Joe Vargas and Amanda Kuelker, has launched an AI‑powered conversational analyst called Huck that sits atop existing ERP, warehouse, BI and spreadsheet systems in the fresh‑produce supply chain. The platform creates a governed data...
PepsiCo to Deploy Green Hydrogen-Based Fertilizer to Decarbonize European Food Supply Chain
PepsiCo and Spanish chemicals firm Fertiberia have signed a multi‑year deal to supply up to 150,000 tons of green‑hydrogen‑based fertilizer each year for PepsiCo’s European farms. The partnership will initially cover about 400,000 acres in France, Romania, Serbia, Greece, Turkey and...
Strategies to Decarbonize the Supply Chain
Decarbonizing the food supply chain, especially rice production, is emerging as a top priority because methane from flooded paddies drives a large share of the sector’s greenhouse‑gas footprint. Industry pilots such as alternate wetting‑and‑drying, yield‑boosting agronomy and biochar soil amendments...
BCI Growers Cut Cotton Emissions 54%
A consortium of U.S. cotton growers licensed under the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) achieved a 54% reduction in greenhouse‑gas emissions during the 2024‑25 season, compared with regional averages. When carbon removal benefits are accounted for, the net reduction rises to...
European Wheat Futures Dip Below €190/T as Weather Improves and Profit‑Taking Hits Market
European wheat futures slipped below €190 per tonne on Tuesday, driven by profit‑taking and more favourable weather across the continent. The price drop comes even as U.S. hard‑red‑winter wheat faces drought‑related stress, highlighting a split between European supply comfort and...
Farmers Get Short-Changed in Our Current Food System
USDA’s Food Dollar series shows that U.S. farmers receive less than six cents for every food dollar earned in 2023, while processing, retail and service sectors capture the bulk of revenue. The stark distribution explains the ongoing decline in farm...
Iran Conflict Disrupts Global Fertilizer Supply, Hits US
The Iran war is already having major repercussions on fertilizer supply, even in the US! Chartbook Top Links of the day just dropped: https://t.co/p0abfkJwEY
USMEF: Pork Exports Near Record in March
US pork exports surged in March, reaching 285,567 tonnes—a 6% year‑over‑year increase and the third‑largest monthly total on record. Export value climbed 4% to $803.2 million, the second‑highest ever, while per‑head value hit $456.56. Beef exports fell 11% in volume and...
Agronometrics in Charts: Peru's Dominant Blueberry Exports Surge 21.5 Percent
Peru’s fresh blueberry exports surged to roughly 419,000 tons in the 2025/26 campaign, a 21.5% rise from the prior year’s 344,000 tons. Export volumes peaked in October with about 200.2 million pounds, underscoring a concentrated fourth‑quarter surge. La Libertad remained the backbone, delivering nearly...
Hose Nail Helps Solve Horticulturists' Problems
SR Innovative has launched a patented dripline nail that replaces traditional wooden stakes and knotting in drip‑irrigation systems. The lightweight, ergonomic nail can be reused season after season, cutting about 15 seconds per furrow and translating into days of labor...
Strait of Hormuz Crisis: Fertilizer Scarcity Will Affect Next Harvests and Food Supplies, FAO Warns
The FAO warned that disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz are creating a global fertilizer shortage that will depress crop yields and tighten food supplies in the latter half of 2026 and into 2027. Director‑General QU Dongyu told the MED9++...
Common Tomato Plant Problems and How to Fix Them
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension specialist Joe Masabni outlines the most common tomato plant problems—nutrient deficiencies, heat stress, herbicide drift, pests and diseases—and practical remedies. He stresses regular fertilization, consistent watering, mulching, and early scouting to prevent yield loss. The guide...
US Imports of Brazilian Beef Surged in First Quarter
U.S. imports of Brazilian beef jumped 21% in Q1, reaching $795 million, as overall beef imports rose 28% to $4.5 billion. The surge occurs amid U.S. officials accusing Brazilian packers of corruption and investigating anti‑competitive practices, while the USTR pursues Section 301 cases...
Dairy Leaders Align on Sustainability Progress
More than 260 dairy value‑chain leaders, including 26 farmers, gathered at the 2026 Dairy Sustainability Alliance Spring Meeting to turn shared priorities into concrete action. Speakers highlighted that modern cows now deliver five times more nutrition than mid‑century herds while...
Fertiliser Shortages to Have Dramatic Effect on Food Prices, Says Duke of Westminster’s Firm
Grosvenor Group, the Duke of Westminster’s property and farming conglomerate, warns that fertilizer shortages triggered by the Iran‑related closure of the Strait of Hormuz have pushed UK fertilizer costs up 50‑70% and could spark a dramatic rise in global food...
MyEasyFarm and Geocledian Partner on ESA Climate Smart Agriculture Project to Scale Satellite-Driven Regenerative Farming
MyEasyFarm, a B Corp‑certified regenerative AgTech firm, has partnered with German remote‑sensing specialist Geocledian to serve as the system integrator for the European Space Agency’s Information Factory Climate Smart Agriculture project. The collaboration, running through the end of 2027, embeds...
Fuel Reserve Must Reach Regional Australia, Livestock Transporters
The Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA) welcomed the federal government’s $6.6 billion USD fuel‑security package, but warned that its value hinges on diesel reaching regional operators when shortages hit. The package allocates roughly $2.1 billion USD for a government‑owned fuel...
India's IPL Issues Ammonia Tender
India's leading fertilizer importer IPL issued a tender on May 6 for 521,000 t of ammonia to be delivered to the country’s east and west coasts. The request, made on behalf of six major Indian fertilizer firms, splits into 151,000 t for the...
NSW DPIRD Scientists Lead Work Tackling Soil-Borne Diseases
Scientists from NSW's Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) are spearheading a $34.6 million (≈$22.8 million USD) five‑year GRDC Soilborne Disease Initiative aimed at curbing soil‑borne pathogens that cost Australian grain producers about $1.71 billion (≈$1.13 billion USD) each year. The program,...
NSW Broadacre Farm Becomes First to Generate ACCUs
A family-owned broadacre farm in New South Wales has become the first in the state to generate Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) using Loam Bio’s fungal seed treatment. The Nicholson Carbon Project earned 4,867 ACCUs across 881 hectares, each representing...
Thailand Research Partnership Explores CO2 Separation From Biogas for Closed-Farm Agriculture
Thailand’s Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (TISTR) and Bio Bloom Co Ltd have launched a 12‑month pilot to separate CO₂ from biogas and reuse it in closed‑farm systems. The project, running May 2026‑May 2027, will install a pressure‑swing adsorption unit,...
Laser Robotics and NVIDIA Enable Chemical‑Free Farming
Laser Weeding Revolution: Carbon #Robotics and NVIDIA Redefine Chemical-Free Farming by @kimmonismus #AgriTech #TechForGood #Innovation #Tech #Technology https://t.co/gCSj76C98B
Brazil Nears Full Beef Quota to China, Threatening Export Shift
Brazil's meatpackers are on track to meet the 2026 Chinese beef import quota by mid‑year, after shipping more than 510,000 tons—about 65% of the limit—so far. The looming quota cap, coupled with a 55% tariff on excess volumes, could shave...
EarthOptics Appoints Veteran Jennifer Ross Harned as COO to Drive Operational Scaling
EarthOptics announced that Jennifer Ross Harned has joined as chief operating officer. The former Penguin Random House president brings more than two decades of finance, supply‑chain and transformation experience, positioning the optics firm to accelerate its advanced soil‑intelligence and sustainable‑ag...
Manufacturing Breakthrough Uses Sound Waves to Create ‘Plant Sunscreen’
RMIT University researchers have created an ultrasonic manufacturing technique that forms UV‑blocking coatings on delicate surfaces, including living plant leaves, using high‑frequency sound waves to atomise a covalent organic framework (COF) liquid into a fine mist. The mist self‑assembles into...
CFIA Publishes Updated Plant Breeders' Rights Regulations
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has revised the Plant Breeders’ Rights Regulations to strengthen intellectual‑property protection for new plant varieties. Key changes include narrowing the farmer’s seed‑saving privilege to small grains, extending protection periods for potatoes, asparagus and woody plants...
Senate Ag Schedules Fertilizer Hearing
The Senate Agriculture Committee will hold a hearing on May 12 to examine the persistent rise in fertilizer prices and the challenges of securing a stable supply for U.S. growers. Witnesses include Corey Rosenbusch of the Fertilizer Institute and representatives from...
Boomitra Hits Major Milestone as Ranchers Reap Real Financial Gains From Regenerative Grazing in Mexico
Boomitra’s Northern Mexico Grasslands Restoration Project has begun paying ranchers after Verra issued 3.03 million carbon credits in February 2026. The payments, funded by buyers such as Deloitte NSE and the Ethereum Climate Platform, flow directly to 158 participating ranching families,...