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:
US (OH): Locals Thrilled at Aquaponic Lettuce
Sweet Melissa’s, a regional salad chain founded in Boardman, Ohio, has partnered with WestWinn Urban Ag to source its lettuce from an indoor aquaponic farm in Sharon. The farm uses a recirculating system that combines tilapia and koi with hydroponic lettuce, producing over 25,000 sq ft of pesticide‑free greens year‑round. By growing the lettuce locally and without chemicals, the restaurant can offer fresher, sustainable produce to its three locations. The collaboration highlights a growing trend toward closed‑loop agriculture in the Midwest.
"Collaboration with Suppliers and Customers Is the only Way to Meaningfully Reduce Impact"
Best Fresh Group, a Dutch fresh‑produce trader, found that only 4% of its carbon footprint originates from its own operations, while 96% comes from the broader supply chain. The company quantified emissions across purchased products (40%), transport (30%) and processing/packaging...
US (MT): Growing for the Community with a Geothermal Greenhouse
In Baker, Montana, the sixth‑generation Barkley Ranch built a 16‑by‑120‑foot geothermal greenhouse in 2021, opening it in 2022 to mark the farm’s centennial. The air‑to‑air geothermal system keeps the interior above freezing year‑round, enabling the family to grow traditional vegetables...
CF Industries and PepsiCo Partner to Deploy Certified Low-Carbon UAN Fertilizer Across Frito-Lay Potato Supply Chain
CF Industries and PepsiCo have signed a commercial agreement to supply certified low‑carbon urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) fertilizer to farmers growing potatoes for Frito‑Lay. The product, produced at CF’s Donaldsonville, Louisiana plant using carbon capture and nitric‑acid emissions abatement, earned...
H.A.R.V.E.S.T. AgTech Announces Inaugural Seven-Startup Cohort Focused on Biological Agriculture Solutions
H.A.R.V.E.S.T. AgTech, operated by The Yield Lab Institute, announced its inaugural cohort of seven startups developing biological solutions for agriculture. The cohort—Agragene, Impetus Agriculture, Invasive Species Corporation, NewLeaf Symbiotics, Pluton Biosciences, Prospect Growth and SugaROx—was selected by an independent advisory...
Haiti’s Development Network Foundation Launches Precision Agriculture Initiative to Transform Farming Productivity
The Haitian Development Network Foundation (HDN) announced a precision‑agriculture initiative on Haiti’s Agriculture and Labor Day, targeting pilot projects in key farming regions later this year. The program will provide soil sensors, satellite imagery, and targeted irrigation systems, coupled with...
Climate-Smart & Cocoa-Free: Mars Makes Moves to Decarbonise Chocolate Portfolio
Mars is testing a cocoa‑free chocolate trail mix under its Balisto brand in Germany, using Planet A Foods' ChoViva ingredient. The bean‑free product, sold at REWE until October, offers a high‑protein snack and demonstrates a 1:1 chocolate replacement. Simultaneously, Mars...
Novel Wheat Hybrids Increase Resistance to Major Fungal Disease by up to 70%
Researchers have transferred a novel resistance locus from the wild weed Elymus repens into wheat, creating hybrids that slash Fusarium head blight (FHB) infection by up to 70%. The new locus, named Fhb.Er‑1StL, showed a 69% reduction in diseased spikelets...
1,821 Farmers to Benefit From Hibulangan Dam in Leyte
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. inaugurated the Hibulangan Small Reservoir Irrigation Project in Villaba, Leyte, on April 30. The P1.12 billion (≈ $20 million) dam will irrigate 2,750 hectares, providing year‑round water to 1,821 farmers across three municipalities. Featuring a 25‑meter‑high earth‑fill dam, a 9.01‑million‑cubic‑meter reservoir, and...
Efficient Nitrogen Strategy Boosts Wheat with Recycled Residue
Our 3rd slayer pass mixing in a little Nitrogen on 120’ and fast. Incredible how we’ve cycled our corn residue when you look at what I planted into last fall. We streambarred 8 gal on pre plant , mixed in 3 gal...
Mahindra Launches Autonomous Tractor Fleet in Punjab and Haryana
Mahindra & Mahindra has started rolling out a fleet of autonomous tractors across key farming belts in Punjab and Haryana. The self‑driving machines, equipped with LiDAR and computer‑vision sensors, aim to offset rural labor shortages and modernize India's agritech sector.
DA Eyes Expanded MAV for Pork, Corn
The Philippine Department of Agriculture is set to approve an expanded Minimum Access Volume (MAV) for imported pork and corn under the MAV Plus scheme within the month. The expansion adds roughly 250,000 metric tons of corn to the existing quota...
Best of April: Seven Stories You May Have Missed
The April "Best of" roundup spotlights seven diverse African business stories, from a Tanzanian waste‑to‑feed startup poised to hit $1 million in sales to a West African private‑equity firm’s investment playbook. It also highlights the extended deadline for Africa’s Business Heroes,...
80% of Africa’s Fertiliser Is Imported: How Food Systems Can Adapt to the Iran Shock
The Iran‑Gulf conflict has sharply reduced urea exports, with Strait of Hormuz traffic down 95%, disrupting the global fertilizer supply chain. Sub‑Saharan Africa, which imports roughly 80% of its fertilizer from Gulf states, faces soaring prices and potential shortages. Past...
AI Robots Harvest Tomatoes, Humans Shift to Care
A greenhouse in the Netherlands is showing what the future of agriculture could look like. Robots equipped with AI and smart cameras are identifying and picking ripe tomatoes with precision - using a FANUC robot arm to harvest quickly and without...
China Relies on Food Imports Far More than US or EU
China is far more dependent on imported food/feed than either the US or the EU. In a world of "food regimes", this is a highly unusual and unique development. https://t.co/5797bIqtl7
From Stubble to Strategy: How Agricultural Waste Can Power India’s Energy Transition
India generates roughly 350 million tonnes of agricultural residue each year, much of which is burned, worsening air quality and wasting a renewable resource. Government schemes such as GOBARdhan and the National Bioenergy Programme have spurred the development of 979 biogas...
AI Powers Japan’s High-Tech Watermelon Sorting and Monitoring
Inside Japan’s Smart Watermelon Industry: #AI Sorting and Monitoring in Action by @gigadgets_ #ArtificialIntelligence #EmergingTech #Technology #Innovation #Tech #TechForGood https://t.co/5zpUcLiA3u
Rising Energy Costs Boost Local Farmers Markets
Cheap and abundant food is reliant on cheap energy. As costs of everything from fertilzer, to harvest, to logistics increase, farmers markets and local production will gain in relevance. Get to know your local producer. #farmersmarket #agriculture https://t.co/eQVOaTnuW7
Nitrogen Prices Surge as Middle East Conflict Tightens Fertilizer Supply
LSB Industries warned that North America faces a nitrogen shortfall while CVR Energy’s fertilizer segment posted a $25 million EBITDA gain, underscoring how Middle‑East geopolitics are driving sharp price spikes in nitrogen‑based fertilizers and pressuring global food supply chains.
Identification of Wheat AP2 Gene Family, Cloning of TaAP2-34, and Patterns Analysis by Overexpression in Arabidopsis
Researchers identified 46 wheat AP2 genes, mapped them across all 21 chromosomes, and found most proteins to be weakly acidic, hydrophilic, and highly conserved. The gene TaAP2-34 showed distinct expression peaks under drought (6 h in leaves, 12 h in tiller nodes)...
Ice Cream Bean: Fast‑Growing Nitrogen‑Fixing Soil Booster
This is Inga edulis aka the "ice cream bean." I've grown it for the last 3 years not only for the weird fluffy white pulp inside that tastes like fruity vanilla ice cream, but because of its ability to improve...
FG Adopts 10 Year Veterinary Roadmap to Boost Livestock Health, Food Security
The Nigerian Federal Government has approved a ten‑year National Roadmap for Veterinary Services (2026‑2036) to revamp the country’s animal health system. The plan targets weak disease surveillance, under‑resourced labs, and uneven veterinary manpower, while promoting digital traceability and public‑private partnerships....
Integrating Trees and Cattle Cuts Fertilizer Costs, Boosts Yields
A welcome change. Should lead to better understanding and wider acceptance of tree-based farming. For every acre of agricultural land, there must be at least two bovine animals. When soil is enriched with tree litter and animal waste, it will...
Research Targets Flood Solutions for Midwest Farm Resilience
Midwest farms face increasing field inundation, impacting crop yields, soil health, and farmer well-being. Collaborative research on working farms aims to develop tailored, evidence-based solutions for managing flood-related challenges. agriculture
Cows at Tennessee's 'Silicon Ranch' Graze Under Solar Panels
Silicon Ranch in Christiana, Tennessee has launched a 5‑megawatt agrivoltaic system that lets cattle graze beneath solar panels. The company engineered raised, motorized mounts and custom software so panels can be tilted or lifted to create safe pathways for the...
China Pushes Policy to Curb Food Import Dependence
Why China worries about its agricultural dependence on the rest of the world, as well as Beijing’s new industrial policy efforts to ensure greater food self-sufficiency. by @Adam_Tooze https://t.co/xkVOHAeLog
AI Robots Harvest Ripe Tomatoes in Dutch Fields
This is how AI-powered robots are used to pick ripe tomatoes in the Netherlands https://t.co/oz30ypIkYX
From Fields to Forecasts: The New Age of Farm Data Platforms
Farm data platforms are evolving from simple sensor collections to decision‑intelligence systems that connect farmers, input suppliers, processors, and financiers. By providing real‑time, geo‑tagged, verified data, these platforms enable supply‑chain compliance, sustainability reporting, and carbon accounting across the entire agri‑value...
Claude AI Grows Tomatoes Autonomously for 100+ Days
Anthropic’s Claude #AI #Autonomously Grows Tomatoes for 100+ Days in Groundbreaking Experiment by @d33v33d0 #ArtificialIntelligence #MachineLearning #ML https://t.co/GJ44Y0ItXN
The Missing Link in Agri-Tech: Why Semiconductor Startups Will Decide India’s Farming Future
India’s agriculture, supporting up to 45% of the workforce, is being reshaped by AI, drones and data platforms that promise higher yields and climate resilience. The sector could gain $1.7 trillion by 2035, while the domestic drone market is forecast to...
Atome Launches $665M Green Hydrogen Fertilizer Plant in Paraguay
The Hydrogen Stream: Atome builds $665 million green hydrogen-based fertilizer plant in Paraguay #energysky -- via pv magazine global: https://t.co/iHFcCrmaId
EPA Releases Fungicide Strategy to Address Impacts on Endangered Species
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued a draft strategy to curb fungicide damage to species protected under the Endangered Species Act. The plan, mirroring earlier herbicide and insecticide blueprints, will guide registration reviews and may require label‑level mitigation measures...
WiscoNet Weather Data Is Popular Before Planting
Wisconsin’s WiscoNet network now runs 80 automated weather stations that record temperature, humidity, rainfall, solar radiation, wind and soil conditions every fifteen minutes. The free data portal sees a surge in farmer traffic as planting season approaches, with users seeking...
Michigan Bean Commission Says Solving Logistical Limitations Would Open New Avenues
Michigan Bean Commission Executive Director Joe Cramer highlighted logistics as a major long‑term constraint for the state’s bean growers. A deteriorating short‑line railroad in the Thumb limits speed, forcing most exports to travel by boxcar and bulk copper cars for...
House Bill Pushes SAF Into Federal Biofuels Policy
The U.S. House approved H.R. 7567, part of the 2026 Farm, Food, and National Security Act, to expand federal biofuel policy to include sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) produced from renewable agricultural feedstocks. Sponsored by Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn Thompson, the measure...
Surprise: “Pasture-Raised” Eggs Still Run on Corn and Soy
A recent viral post reveals that even premium "pasture‑raised" eggs are largely produced on corn‑and‑soy based feed, not solely on grass or insects. Chickens, as fast‑metabolizing omnivores, need dense calories, complete protein, and minerals, which the conventional grain diet supplies...
John Deere Introduces Updated Sprayer Technology Delivering Advanced Precision, Mobility Improvements and Expanded Crop Coverage
John Deere unveiled its Model Year 2027 sprayer lineup, highlighted by See & Spray Gen 2, which adds variable‑rate dosing, night‑time lighting and dual‑tank flexibility. The updated platform expands targeted application to wheat, barley and canola and integrates a front‑frame camera for cleaner detection. Four‑wheel...
House Passes Farm Bill Extending USDA Rural Broadband Funding to 2031
The U.S. House approved a farm bill on April 30, 2026 that extends USDA rural broadband programs through 2031, authorizing up to $350 million per year for the ReConnect initiative. The measure passed 224‑200 after a brief delay caused by intra‑party...
Yara Warns Iran War Could Spark Fertilizer Price Surge and Food Shortages in Africa
Yara International’s CEO Svein Tore Holsether warned that the Iran war has driven urea prices up 60‑70% and could trigger a global fertilizer auction, leaving Africa’s most vulnerable farmers unable to afford inputs. The warning comes as supply chains scramble...
Sparse Wheat Planting Boosts Yield and Profit
Why do I grow most of our wheat in a 25% planted fashion? Less N, seed, has less disease, and higher test weight AND I can grow as good or better soybeans on the same acre in the same year. 110 bu wheat...
Hydroponics Drives Sustainable Future for Livestock Feed
Hydroponics Powers the Future of Sustainable Livestock Feed by @gigadgets_ #EmergingTech #Technology #Innovation #Tech #TechForGood https://t.co/ynwcYywavg
Pakistan University Holds Training on Mushroom Cultivation
The University of Agriculture, Peshawar’s Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization partnered with the Plant Pathology Department and Al Furriyaat to host a day‑long workshop and expo titled “Fungi Fiesta, Mushroom & By‑product Expo 2026.” The event featured technical sessions on mushroom...
China Still Dominates US Soybean Exports Despite Low Volumes
🇺🇸🇨🇳Even though China.... ✔️Didn't start buying until late October ✔️Has secured the smallest U.S. tonnage in 19 years .... it's still by FAR the leading destination for U.S. soybean exports so far in 2025/26, a reminder of how hard China is to replace...
Regenerative Farming: How Cows Can Combat Climate Change
I really enjoyed this podcast. We got to dig into a lot of nuanced discussion around regenerative ag, climate and a host of related topics. Cows Could Save the Planet? The Truth About Regenerative Farming https://t.co/BmUSXtBKNc
“We Want to Localize the Way Our City Feeds Itself"
Civic Greens has converted a 3,700‑sq‑ft underground parking space in Toronto into a hydroponic farm that yields about 12,000 heads of lettuce each month. The LED‑lit facility supplies high‑end restaurants, food banks and will soon serve a farmer’s market, offering...
India: Brio Hydroponics Launches High-Yield Model for Large Scale Growers
Brio Hydroponics has introduced a Franchise‑Owned, Company‑operated (FOCO) model that lets high‑net‑worth individuals and institutions invest in large‑scale hydroponic farms. The scheme requires a minimum of 30 acres and roughly ₹5 crore (about $600,000) in capital. Brio handles all agronomy, logistics...
US (OH): Classroom Lettuce Crop Is a Hit with Middle Schoolers
Fort Recovery Middle School in Ohio has turned a science classroom into a mini‑farm, using a hydroponic tower to grow two full life cycles of Green Star and Romaine lettuce. The project, dubbed Fresh for the Fort, was seeded with...
"The Plant Needs to Be Thought of First"
Trina Semenchuk, founder of Little Greenhouse That Could, is co‑teaching a new CEA Fundamentals course at the University of Manitoba’s Biosystems Engineering department. The curriculum covers system design, equipment selection, financial modeling, plant physiology and growth planning, stressing that the...
Biofuel Use Pushes up Food Prices: Is Demand Here to Stay?
Recent oil price spikes from the Iran war have accelerated biofuel production, putting upward pressure on food commodities used as feedstocks. In the EU, 39‑44% of biodiesel and in the US 70‑80% comes from crops such as vegetable oil, corn...