Essex @ Groundswell 2025
The University of Essex unveiled its Wolfton Steps Smart Technology Plant Suite, a cutting‑edge research hub that integrates vertical farming, controlled‑environment chambers, and real‑time climate simulation. Director Dr. Andy Simkin highlighted the suite’s ability to test growing conditions, improve productivity, and lower resource inputs for future food systems. Key innovations include an IG vertical grow frame that slashes water consumption by roughly 80% and a programmable lighting system that delivers only the red wavelengths plants need, cutting overall energy demand. The Dynamic Field chamber replicates outdoor weather second‑by‑second by pulling sensor data from any location, allowing researchers to study crops under authentic, fluctuating conditions. Examples cited were the water‑saving performance of the vertical frame and experiments contrasting current atmospheric CO₂ levels (≈427 ppm) with projected 2050 concentrations (≈550 ppm). By growing identical crops under these differing scenarios, the team can directly assess impacts on yield, nutrition, and resilience. These capabilities position the university to accelerate sustainable agriculture research, inform commercial vertical‑farm designs, and provide critical data on how climate change will reshape crop performance, guiding policymakers and industry stakeholders alike.
Fuel and Fertiliser Fears Deepen, Dyson’s Farm Future, Pig Markets, & a Royal Farming Honour
The Farmers Weekly podcast spotlights a perfect storm confronting UK agriculture: red diesel shortages, soaring fuel prices, and looming fertilizer supply gaps, all exacerbated by the Iran‑Houthi conflict disrupting Gulf shipments. MPs will convene a committee to probe the war’s...
The Hidden Wealth Strategy Billionaires Use: Farmland
The video features Steve Brewer of People’s Company, a farm‑management firm that grew from a small Iowa bank department into a national platform operating in 35 states. Brewer outlines the firm’s four‑pronged services: farm management for absentee owners, brokerage and...
Cutworm Control: Secrets to Successful Spraying #shorts
The video explains how to achieve reliable cutworm control through precise timing and species awareness. It stresses that knowing whether the pest is subterranean or nocturnal determines when and if a spray will be effective, with night‑time applications recommended for...
Claire Mooney on Water Quality Tips
The video features Claire Mooney outlining practical water‑quality measures for dairy and mixed farms, organized into immediate, medium‑term and long‑term actions. She emphasizes simple on‑the‑ground steps that can be implemented within weeks to protect newly granted derigated water rights. Key insights...
Critical Weed-Free Period: Maximize Pulse Crop Yields #shorts
The video explains the concept of a “critical weed‑free period” for pulse crops, emphasizing that maintaining a weed‑free canopy during the earliest growth stages is essential for maximizing yields. Because pulse species such as peas and lentils are poor competitors against...
China, E15 and WASDE Shake Commodity Markets During Major Week for Agriculture
The week’s headlines centered on three intertwined forces reshaping U.S. agriculture: President Trump’s high‑stakes visit to China, the latest USDA World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE), and a contentious year‑round E15 ethanol bill. Officials hinted at a “double‑digit‑billion‑dollar” lift...
Ben Van Roekle's Final ROXOR Review
Ben Van Roekle wraps up his final review of the ROXOR cab, zeroing in on practical ergonomics and user‑friendly design tweaks rather than flashy luxury. He walks through the cockpit, noting what works and where the vehicle falls short for...
No Till, Last Frontier: Two Drills, One Mission, 6,000 Miles
The video profiles sixth‑generation farmer Clayton Griffith, who left Kansas for Delta Junction, Alaska, to convert his 5,600‑acre operation to a no‑till system. To make the transition, Quality Grains of Wichita and Walnut Penny Trucking shipped two John Deere air...
Farmers Slash Inputs by $170 Per Acre with No-Till & ‘Neighborly Grazing’
The episode spotlights a wave of conservation‑focused practices—no‑till, cover crops, strip‑till, and innovative planting systems—being adopted from Iowa to Alaska. Farmers like Landon and Ann Plaggy demonstrate how 100% no‑till coupled with neighbor‑grazed cover crops slashes input costs by roughly...
What Helps and What and Hurts Herbicide Performance? | Wheat School
The Wheat School episode tackles why herbicide performance can falter and how surfactants and adjuvants restore efficacy. Martin Carr, agronomy manager at Winfield United, explains that water quality—hardness, salinity, and dust content—must be assessed before mixing any additive, and that...
Scouting for Corn Nematodes | Tamra Jackson-Ziems | May 15, 2026
Crop Extension specialist Tamra Jackson‑Ziems explains that early‑season scouting for corn nematodes is critical, especially under the current drought conditions across Nebraska. She emphasizes that nematode damage often manifests as stunted growth and reduced vigor when root systems are stressed,...
3D Drone Canopy Growth: AI Plant Phenotyping Secrets Revealed #shorts
Drone-mounted cameras capture overlapping images, allowing reconstruction of a three‑dimensional canopy model. This 3D view lets researchers monitor canopy growth over time, providing a direct proxy for plant vigor and growth rate. The approach complements traditional ground‑cover measurements and vegetation indices,...
The REAP 2026 Exhibition Opportunity
The REAP 2026 exhibition is positioned as a strategic platform for the UK’s next wave of collaborative innovation. Its guiding theme—connect, co‑develop, and coexist—frames the event as more than a showcase, urging participants to engage in ongoing, iterative conversations about...
R2-Dirt2? Robots Afield in California
A new autonomous robot is being deployed in California orchards to monitor soil moisture and help growers manage water use more efficiently. The robot travels between trees, measuring soil electrical conductivity—a proxy for moisture, salinity, and texture. These readings are fused...
WWII Transformed Dutch Agriculture Forever 🍅🤖 #automation
The video explains how a post‑World War II famine prompted the Netherlands to pour resources into high‑technology agriculture, turning scarcity into a catalyst for innovation. By investing heavily in automation, robotics, and data‑driven farming, the Dutch turned a small, land‑constrained country...
Nebraska Agronomist Builds Tool to Help Farmers Find Reliable Labor
The interview introduces FarmHand on Demand, an online marketplace launched by Nebraska agronomist Ashley Babel to match farms with reliable labor. Prompted by her family’s struggle to find seasonal help, Babel built a platform that lets workers list skills—from combine...
Soybean Watch: Welcome to the 2026 Growing Season
The video documents Indiana’s 2026 soybean planting season, highlighting an unprecedented early start across the state. While southern Indiana is largely finished, northern growers are still beginning, reflecting regional climate variations. The presenter walks a field south of Indianapolis, planted...
Curious by Nature, Ep1: Soil Science, Technology and Engineering with Harper Adams University
The video spotlights Harper Adams University’s Earth Rover program, where researcher Joe demonstrates a seismic‑based system that “sees” into the ground. By striking a hammer on the soil, sensors capture waveforms that travel through the profile; their velocity reveals density, allowing the...
Dyneval at London Lab Live
Dinocan Limited’s CEO Tiffany Wood unveiled two new analytical platforms at London Lab Live: the Dinocan semen analyzer, launched in 2022, and the Lumero particle‑size analyzer, introduced this year. The Dinocan device is the first semen analyzer that can predict conception...
Wheat Pete: Why Liquid Fertilizer Is CRUCIAL #shorts
The video highlights a common dilemma for Ontario wheat growers: whether to use liquid nitrogen solutions or cheaper dry urea for winter wheat fertilization. Pete Johnson argues that liquid nitrogen—typically a 28%‑32% urea‑ammonium nitrate mix—delivers a perfectly uniform application, essential...
SPS 101 with CropLife UK
The video centers on the pending Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union, with a particular focus on how pesticide regulation will be handled under the deal. CropLife UK’s policy head, Theodora Raina, explains...
Success Pathways for Scaling Biofortified Crops
The Harvest Plus webinar titled “Success Pathways for Scaling Biofortified Crops” brought together regional experts to discuss how nutrient‑dense staple varieties move from research labs to farmers’ fields. Moderator Brenda Mareri outlined the organization’s two‑pronged model—Harvest Plus’s science engine and Harvest Plus Solutions’...
Wheat Futures Closed Limit up on Historic USDA Crop Data. 5/12/26
Chicago wheat futures surged to a limit‑up close of $6.79 per bushel after the USDA’s May WASDE report revealed the smallest U.S. wheat crop since 1972. The report also pushed corn and soybean contracts higher, with July corn up 4.75...
May 12 | Closing Market Report
The May 12 closing market report opened with the USDA’s first look at new‑crop corn and soybean supply‑demand tables, highlighting a near‑two‑billion‑bushel carry‑out for corn and an unexpected rise in soybean export demand to 1.63 billion bushels. Prices closed higher—July corn at...
Inaugural Abell-Hodgson Open Lecture on Regenerative Agri-Food Systems
The inaugural Abell‑Hodgson Open Lecture framed regenerative agri‑food systems as a response to a looming polycrisis—simultaneous climate change, biodiversity collapse, and entrenched social inequity. The speaker, an engineer‑economist with personal ties to food safety, opened by mapping the audience’s diversity...
Financial Clarity Supports Better Stewardship
The video features Southern California rancher Mike Williams discussing his adoption of the Amrook platform at a cattle industry convention. Williams explains that traditional bookkeeping was his least favorite task, and Amrook’s built‑in accounting tools have turned a cumbersome process...
Why Maple Sugar Is Becoming the Next Big Ingredient Trend
The Food Institute podcast at CLC Canada 2026 highlighted maple sugar’s rise from a niche product to a major ingredient trend. Matthew Bryson of Prestige Maple explained how the company, a leading exporter of maple syrup, is diversifying with maple...
457: How to Raise a 3rd AgTech Investment Fund in a Down Market
The episode focuses on SP Ventures’ successful launch of its third ag‑technology fund amid a sluggish market. Co‑founder Francisco discusses how the firm secured a $50 million first close and aims to raise up to $100 million, highlighting the unique challenges of...
Feedlot Success: Details Matter, Not Size #shorts
In a recent talk, the speaker rebutted an audience comment that highlighted a massive 200,000‑head Nebraska feedlot as the benchmark for success, arguing that size alone is misleading. He emphasized that the true drivers are granular protocols—strict animal‑intake checks, rapid health...
🔴 LIVE NOW | Celebrating the 2026 International Day of Plant Health
The FAO marked the 2026 International Day of Plant Health with a high‑profile event in Rome, emphasizing the theme “Plant Biosecurity for Food Security.” Director‑General Chu Dong‑Yu opened the ceremony, stressing that healthy plants are the backbone of global nutrition,...
The 3000-5000 Hour Tractor Sweet Spot
The Successful Farming Podcast episode dives into the current used‑row‑crop tractor market, zeroing in on the 3,000‑5,000 hour “sweet spot.” Host Dave Mowitz and TractorZoom’s Andy Campbell break down supply trends, pricing shifts, and buying strategies for planter and baler...
Efficient Nutrient Use of Slurry – a Cost Saving Approach
Efficient nutrient use of slurry is the focus, highlighting how rising fertilizer and diesel prices drive farms to adopt precision technologies. Over the past four years, more than 200,000 soil samples have been analyzed by Chagas, allowing nutrients—especially phosphorus and...
Farm Science to Value: Biostimulant Crop Response #shorts
The video explains how the company translates biostimulant research into tangible farm value through its Atlas product, which leverages a proprietary biocatalyst technology applied as an over‑treat on conventional fertilizers such as MAP, DAP, and potash. Current fertilizer phosphorus use efficiency...
Glyphosate-Resistant Ryegrass: Identifying and Controlling Problem Grasses #shorts
The video focuses on the emergence of glyphosate‑resistant annual ryegrass, a growing problem grass that is appearing in winter meetings and field sites. The presenter explains that, despite its name, the species should be managed as a perennial because of...
Can I Really Plant Beans with a Drill? #EdibleBeans #shorts
The video addresses whether beans can be planted using a drill, a common row‑crop seeder, and outlines the conditions under which it is feasible. The presenter explains that single‑disc drills can handle beans, but success hinges on the cart’s metering system,...
Proving Product Performance at the Honeywell Research Facility | Syngenta Product Spotlight
The segment is a product‑spotlight interview on Rural Radio where Syngenta’s formulation and application technology manager, Matthew Coulter, explains how the Honeywood research facility in Plattsville, Ontario validates the performance of its seed‑treatment and herbicide products for Canadian growers. Coulter details...
Iran War Drives Africa’s Fertilizer Crisis
The video examines how the Russia‑Iran conflict is driving up fertilizer costs and threatening Africa’s agricultural outlook. With the continent holding 60% of the world’s uncultivated arable land, its farms are already vulnerable to supply shocks, and the war has...
Why Farmers Get Humidity Completely Wrong
The video tackles a common misconception among farmers: that relative humidity can be directly controlled like temperature. Using a bank‑loan analogy, the presenter argues there is no simple dial for humidity because it is a function of two variables—air temperature...
Brian and Darren Share some Tips on Soybean Weed Control.
The video focuses on practical soybean weed‑control strategies, emphasizing a pre‑emerge herbicide program that applies across conventional, Enlist, Extend Flex, and future traits. Brian and Darren stress that early‑season applications are the most efficient way to suppress weeds before they develop...
May 08 | Closing Market Report
The May 8 closing market report tied together three distinct themes: a deep dive into commodity price movements, a community‑level debate over a proposed hyperscale data center, and a regional weather outlook for the Midwest. Host Todd Gleason and analyst Mike...
Farmer Sentiment Drops in April with Current, Future & Capital Investment Indices All Down
The episode of On the Record highlighted a sharp decline in farmer confidence, with the Purdue University CME Group A‑Economy Barometer slipping from 127 in March to 121 in April. Both the current‑conditions index and the future‑expectations index fell, while...
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[Technology Corner] 24 Store Deere Dealer Shares How It’s Implementing AI
The video spotlights Lane Richens, CTO of a 24‑store John Deere dealership, as he leads the rollout of an internal artificial‑intelligence solution. Partnering with Main Street AI, the dealer built a custom chatbot—dubbed “Stokes GPT”—that taps into the company’s own...
Cotton High-Level Event at MC14
The MC14 Cotton High‑Level Event brought together WTO officials, banks, industry groups, farmers and even FIFA to chart a new roadmap for Africa’s cotton sector. Africa is the world’s fourth‑largest cotton producer, yet 98 % of its output leaves the continent as...
What El Niño Means for Food Businesses
El Niño is expected to develop later this summer, bringing a shift in global weather patterns that will increase extremes and unpredictability for food and beverage companies. The phenomenon will amplify heat waves, drought, wildfires in the Western U.S., flooding in...
Red Jug, Different Rate — Key Considerations for Liberty AMP | Canola School
The video introduces Liberty AMP, a new 20 percent more concentrated version of BASF’s Liberty herbicide for canola, distinguished by its red jug. Growers are warned that the formulation carries a lower use rate than the traditional Liberty 150 (blue jug) and that...
JOHN DEERE 8400T Tractor Planting Corn
The video spotlights John Deere’s 8400T rubber‑tracked tractor as it plants narrow‑row corn in western Kentucky, paired with a 30‑foot, 18‑row planter. The presenter walks viewers through the machine’s production lineage, technical specifications, and original price. Developed from the 1992 half‑track...
Save Time, Money and Stress with FSA Acreage Reports #commodities #farming #agriculture #USDA
The video introduces a digital acreage‑reporting platform that replaces the decades‑old paper‑map process used by U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices and their farmer clients. With FSA staffing down 25‑40% after early buyouts, growers faced longer wait times...
May 07 | Closing Market Report
The May 7 Closing Market Report from Illinois Public Media wrapped up the day’s commodity prices, weather outlooks, policy updates, and new research tools for producers. July corn futures edged lower to $467, while soybeans slipped to $11.92, but both rebounded...
456: What Is ACTUALLY Going on with Fertilizer Right Now
The episode tackles the sudden surge in fertilizer costs, especially nitrogen, as U.S. urea prices jumped 100% year‑over‑year, squeezing farmer margins and prompting renewed focus on fertilizer supply chains. Pivot Bio’s CEO Chris Abbott outlines how the market shock has...