Farming & Climate

  • Wheat is seen in a field.
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    Christopher Furlong via Getty Images
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    Corteva unveils ‘breakthrough’ in drought-resistant wheat

    A new seed hybrid has the potential to increase yields by 10% and represents one of the first major innovations for the crop in decades.

    By • Nov. 20, 2024
  • A flare burns gas coming out of a thin metal pipe, part of a system attached to a metal shed.
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    The image by Office of Gov. Jay Inslee is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
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    California opts to preserve credits for dairy digesters in major regulatory update

    A state regulator voted to amend the Low Carbon Fuel Standard, injecting new life into a lucrative biofuels credit market that is used by waste projects throughout the U.S.

    By Jacob Wallace • Nov. 20, 2024
  • People are reflected in a puddle outside the COP29 conference venue
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    Sean Gallup via Getty Images
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    Climate-smart agriculture investments at COP29 nearly double

    The Agriculture Innovation Missions for Climate has mobilized $29.2 billion from more than 800 government and non-government partners over the past three years.

    By • Nov. 19, 2024
  • U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow is seen walking alongside a woman
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    Tierney L. Cross via Getty Images
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    Senate releases long-awaited farm bill draft. Here’s what’s in it.

    Democrats are proposing to strengthen the farm safety net while meeting Republicans on some spending demands. But climate and food assistance remain major sticking points. 

    By • Nov. 19, 2024
  • The Bayer logo is cleaned
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    Courtesy of Bayer
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    Column

    Agtech seedlings: Bayer gets into the AI business with Microsoft

    Also in this week's farm technology news: Nutella maker Ferrero invests in hazelnut research, and digital crop monitoring platform FarmQA acquires competitor Farm Dog.

    By • Nov. 15, 2024
  • California Gov. Gavin Newsom talks during a news conference in October 2022.
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    Justin Sullivan/Getty via Getty Images
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    California’s climate disclosure laws survive first legal challenge

    The American Farm Bureau Federation was among business groups that claimed a rule requiring large companies to report their carbon emissions violated the First Amendment. 

    By Zoya Mirza • Nov. 13, 2024
  • A Monarch tractor is seen
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    Courtesy of Monarch Tractor
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    Why the agtech sector may be rebounding

    Total investment increased more than 10% for two consecutive quarters following a dry spell for the category, according to Pitchbook, though fewer deals are happening.

    By • Nov. 12, 2024
  • Cabbage seedlings are seen in the foreground in a field with farmworkers in the background.
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    John Moore via Getty Images
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    Trump White House likely to abandon OSHA heat safety rule

    The new administration will probably let the standard die, experts say, but some other form of guidance could emerge instead.

    By Zachary Phillips • Nov. 11, 2024
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    Getty via Getty Images
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    Small cuts to beef production in wealthier nations could remove years of carbon emissions, study shows

    Eliminating as little as 13% of total production could remove the same amount of total greenhouse gasses emitted over the past three years.

    By • Nov. 6, 2024
  • A wide, open field with golden crops, featuring a tractor working in the distance under a clear sky, with a fence and tall green plants in the foreground.
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    RIPE / Melissa Willhouse

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    Sponsored by Rural Investment to Protect Our Environment (RIPE)

    Regenerative agriculture: The key to unlocking a sustainable future

    Regenerative agriculture is a comprehensive solution to environmental & public health issues alike.

    By Melissa Willhouse • Nov. 4, 2024
  • Almonds are seen growing on trees
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    Courtesy of Kind Snacks
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    Campbell’s and Kind receive USDA support to advance regenerative agriculture for key ingredients

    The soup giant secured $3.4 million in funding for tomato growers in California and Kind Snacks announced milestones for sustainable almond farming.

    By • Nov. 4, 2024
  • hands are seen cupping soil
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    Jacob Mathers via Getty Images
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    Column

    Agtech seedlings: Indigo Ag taps former Alibaba executive as CFO

    Also in this week's farm technology news: Ohalo launches a self-pollinating almond variety and USAID commits $57.4 million to advance agtech research.

    By • Nov. 1, 2024
  • A farmer bends over to tend to a seedling in a vast, brown field.
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    Lisa Maree Williams via Getty Images
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    Q&A

    How food companies can accelerate the regenerative agriculture transition

    Major CPGs and ingredients companies will need to act now if they want to meet their 2030 targets, says HowGood CEO Alexander Gillett.

    By • Oct. 30, 2024
  • Free-range chickens roam outside.
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    Courtesy of Happy Egg
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    Happy Egg merges with regenerative producer to scale sustainable farming practices

    The merger with Egg Innovations further enhances the company’s ability to meet growing consumer demand for climate-friendly and humanely-raised offerings.

    By • Oct. 30, 2024
  • Aerial view of oranges being harvested in Florida
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Milton strains citrus ingredient production

    The hurricane tore through Florida’s orange groves as citrus flavors and fibers become more popular among consumers. 

    By Elizabeth Flood • Oct. 29, 2024
  • Chickens move along hangers at a processing and slaughter facility.
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    Paula Bronstein via Getty Images
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    Pilgrim’s Pride reports slow progress on sustainability

    The poultry giant acknowledged it may not be able to achieve its net-zero goals as parent company JBS faces pressure to improve its climate record.

    By • Oct. 29, 2024
  • Tractors with the Agtonomy logo are seen in wine vineyards
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    Courtesy of Agtonomy
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    Column

    Agtech seedlings: Agtonomy raises nearly $33M for self-driving tractors

    Also in this week’s farm technology news: USDA changes acreage reports to handle indoor farms, and Verdant Robotics unveils an AI weedkiller that ‘aims before it shoots.’

    By • Oct. 25, 2024
  • A corn harvest is underway.
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    Sean Gallup via Getty Images
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    Corn farmers could have their worst year since 2007, ag economist says

    While unprofitable prices are hurting row croppers, livestock producers are benefiting from lower feed costs.

    By • Oct. 25, 2024
  • The World Bank headquarters shown at night.
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    Win McNamee via Getty Images
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    World Bank set to double agriculture investments to $9B per year

    The lending giant aims to improve farm productivity, climate resiliency and advance digital technologies.

    By • Oct. 24, 2024
  • A logo of the of the UNFCCC COP29 climate conference.
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    Sean Gallup via Getty Images
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    COP29 president reveals final text of 9 climate-focused pledges including food waste

    Azerbaijan’s Mukhtar Babayev said the documents serve as “vital tools to drive progress on climate action” and will complement the official negotiation process at the annual UN summit.

    By Zoya Mirza • Oct. 23, 2024
  • halloween candy
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Candy producers using less chocolate this Halloween amid record cocoa prices: Wells Fargo

    Hershey and other big chocolate producers are turning to gummies and other candy to offset supply issues with the crop.

    By Chris Casey • Oct. 22, 2024
  • An aerial view shows highway destroyed by Hurricane Milton
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Hurricane Milton caused up to $2.5B in Florida farm damage

    The storm ravaged infrastructure and flooded the state's orange crops, with some growers expecting tree death.

    By • Oct. 21, 2024
  • A row of king-sized Hershey chocolate bars sit on the shelf in a store.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Hershey invests $500M to improve cocoa farming struggles

    The confectionery giant is working with cooperatives in Côte d’Ivoire to partner with growers as a way to standardize cocoa cultivation and lift profits.

    By Elizabeth Flood • Oct. 18, 2024
  • regenerative agriculture
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Q&A

    The regenerative ag revolution starts with women: Q&A with Stephanie Anderson

    In her new book, Anderson, a former farmer turned creative writing professor, talks to women across the U.S. who are leading the movement to transform the food system.

    By David Silverberg • Oct. 18, 2024
  • fruits and veggies spread out
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    Permission granted by National Honey Board
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    More snacks to include fruit and vegetable ingredients: report

    As consumers' eating habits evolve, so has the way food manufacturers think about ingredients and their placement in products.

    By Elizabeth Flood • Oct. 17, 2024