Sustainability: Page 5


  • A group of cattle stand on pastureland in a fenced-in enclosure
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    Photo illustration by https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/cattle-stand-near-temporary-fencing-while-grazing-in-news-photo/1400572958/Agriculture Dive; photograph by Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    Grass-fed beef demand is on the rise. Can supply keep up?

    Although consumer appetite for the label is increasing, cost constraints and environmental questions have prevented a production expansion.

    By S.L. Fuller , May 14, 2024
  • A farmworker with a large brimmed hat bends over on a farm field
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    House Republicans shed more light on proposed farm bill

    The plan includes more information on how conservatives would allocate additional climate funding from the Inflation Reduction Act.

    By May 13, 2024
  • Guardian Agriculture's SC1 eVTOL sprays crops in California. Explore the Trendline
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    Courtesy of Guardian Agriculture
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    Trendline

    Top 5 stories from Agriculture Dive

    Declining farm income and other production challenges have pushed farmers to rethink their operations and adopt new technology in a bid to diversify potential revenue streams. 

    By Agriculture Dive staff
  • Weeds get zapped by Carbon Robotics' LaserWeeder technology on a farm.
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    Courtesy of Carbon Robotics
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    Agtech Seedlings: Nvidia invests in weed-killing robots | Startup lands $26M for cattle methane vaccine

    Also in this week’s farm technology news: Federal agencies collaborate on an overhaul of biotech regulation, and Syngenta's Adepidyn fungicide is on track to surpass a $1 billion sales milestone.

    By Agriculture Dive staff • May 10, 2024
  • A boy is seen from behind as he looks at M&M candy dispensers.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    M&M’s owner Mars commits $47M to slash dairy emissions

    The confectionery giant is testing seaweed feed supplements and plans to open three "net zero" farms as it looks to halve its carbon footprint by 2030.

    By May 9, 2024
  • European Union flags are pictured outside the European Commission building.
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    Carl Court via Getty Images
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    EU delays sustainability reporting requirements for food

    Industries including agriculture will have more time to focus on the implementation of broader disclosure rules before they start observing sector-specific standards.

    By Zoya Mirza • May 7, 2024
  • A fuel plant is seen
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    Courtesy of LanzaJet
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    Farmers blast cover crop requirements for sustainable jet fuel tax credits

    Corn and soybean growers say the rules will limit access to the lucrative SAF market as some climate-smart production practices are too expensive or not feasible for farms to implement.

    By May 6, 2024
  • A farmworker empties cherries into a tray.
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    Dan Kitwood via Getty Images
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    Too much of a sweet thing: Cherry growers struggle after oversupply decimates prices

    Warmer weather is shortening harvests and putting more farmers in direct competition with each other, pushing the industry to come up with innovative solutions to extend the growing season.

    By Leah Borts-Kuperman • May 6, 2024
  • A farmer stands on a pile of hay, looking at a herd of cattle grazing on a field
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    Climate, anti-hunger groups react to farm bill proposals: ‘We are running out of time’

    Stakeholders are pushing for swift action on a bipartisan agreement after congressional leaders released conflicting frameworks for climate and food assistance funding. 

    By May 3, 2024
  • Sun shines over green pasture at a cattle farm.
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    Ian Waldie via Getty Images
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    Agtech Seedlings: Indigo Ag splits carbon credit, crop protection businesses in restructuring

    Also in this week’s farm technology news: Software investor Arcadea Group wants to create "field to wholesale" traceability with its recent acquisition, and PowerPollen generates investor buzz.

    By May 3, 2024
  • A person operates a tractor that is harvesting cotton on a farm.
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    Scott Olson/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Better Cotton audits farms it previously certified following deforestation investigation

    Environmental watchdog Earthsight accused the nonprofit of falsely certifying cotton produced on deforested land for major fashion brands including Zara and H&M.

    By Laurel Deppen • May 3, 2024
  • Vanguard Renewables anaerobic digester in Haverhill, Massachusetts
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    Permission granted by Vanguard Renewables
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    Vanguard, TotalEnergies announce joint venture for at least 10 dairy digesters

    The facilities will produce renewable natural gas using waste from the food and beverage industries, supplemented with manure from farms.

    By Jacob Wallace • April 26, 2024
  • Yellow oilseed crops are seen in a field
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    Courtesy of Bayer
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    Column

    Agtech Seedlings: Bayer aims to launch first bioinsecticide for arable crops | Corteva sells fungicide assets

    Also in this week’s farm technology news: China's DJI unveils new agriculture drones, and a new crop yield outlook tool could help farmers anticipate extreme weather events.

    By Agriculture Dive staff • April 26, 2024
  • The exterior of US EPA headquarters in Washington, DC
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    crbellette via Getty Images
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    EPA designates 2 PFAs as hazardous substance, says enforcement not aimed at farms

    Agriculture groups contend the rule does not go far enough to protect farmers who unknowingly spread “forever chemicals” through fertilizer biosolids.

    By Megan Quinn , April 25, 2024
  • Machinery removes forestation across a wide plain.
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    Courtesy of Thomas Bauer/Earthsight 2023
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    Cotton used by H&M and Zara linked to illegal deforestation: report

    A year-long investigation by nonprofit Earthsight found that fiber certified by ethical supply chain organization Better Cotton was grown on "stolen" and "deforested" land in Brazil.

    By Lauren Schenkman • April 24, 2024
  • Package of plant-based ground beef are seen in a grocery aisle
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    Is plant-based meat more sustainable? Experts question the data

    Researchers have struggled to replicate life-cycle assessments commissioned from companies like Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods, and are calling for more transparency.

    By Nithin Coca • April 24, 2024
  • solar panels farms cattle
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    Abhishek Chinnappa via Getty Images
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    Mars invests in food-focused startups to accelerate sustainability

    The CPG giant's partnership with Unreasonable Group will work with 15 growth-stage companies developing innovations to advance precision agriculture and reduce cattle emissions.

    By April 23, 2024
  • View of trees.
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    Moeru Matsunoo via Getty Images
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    SBTi walks back carbon offset policy changes after staff backlash

    The Science Based Targets initiative backtracked on expanding the use of environmental offsets in corporate scope 3 plans after staff called for the CEO’s resignation.

    By Lamar Johnson • April 22, 2024
  • Del Monte Fruit & Oats are displayed on a table.
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    Rob Kim via Getty Images
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    Del Monte Foods reports emissions reduction, sets net-zero goal for 2050

    The food producer and distributor has expanded regenerative agriculture practices and lowered its fertilizer use through advancements in seed breeding.

    By Zoya Mirza • April 19, 2024
  • A combine in the distance prepares to work the fields. Green grass is in the foreground.
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    Courtesy of Cargill
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    Cargill partners with Purina to expand regenerative agriculture in pet food

    The collaboration aims to improve the Nestlé division’s grain supply chain and Cargill’s work with farmers to implement eco-friendly practices.

    By April 18, 2024
  • Cows are lined in a circle for milking at Caballero Dairy in Eloy, Arizona.
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    Courtesy of Dairy Council of Arizona
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    Chevron, Brightmark grow dairy digester network with Southwest renewable plant

    The facility will transform manure into biogas from Caballero Dairy in Eloy, Arizona.

    By April 16, 2024
  • regenerative agriculture pepsico
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    Courtesy of PepsiCo
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    Grocery co-op pushes for industrywide regenerative agriculture standards

    Seattle-based PCC Community Markets brought together industry stakeholders to discuss strategies for consistently defining the food production technique.

    By Peyton Bigora • April 16, 2024
  • A farmer presses his hands into bare soil
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    Maksym Belchenko via Getty Images
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    Column

    Agtech Seedlings: Amazon backs methane capture startup | Agco unveils precision ag brand PTx

    Also in this week's farm technology news: ADM and Solugen break ground on a biomanufacturing facility, plus Ginkgo Bioworks bolsters its microbial development pipeline.

    By April 12, 2024
  • Several large pipes criss-cross between industrial buildings, including a large tank-like structure.
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    Courtesy of Divert
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    Divert plans 3rd anaerobic digestion facility

    The plant in North Carolina comes as the company expands with the aim of processing 5% of all wasted food in the U.S. by 2031.

    By Jacob Wallace • April 11, 2024
  • Rows of green crops are seen against the backdrop of a drought-stricken landscape
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    Drying up: Can desert farms survive a changing climate?

    As heat waves and water shortages threaten the future of agriculture in the U.S. Southwest, innovations in technology and plant breeding could help crops continue to bloom.

    By Alexandra Jones • April 8, 2024
  • An aerial view of the Colorado River is seen. Surrounding the river is farmland
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    USDA commits $1.5B to conservation and climate-smart agriculture

    The funding — the most in the program's history — is available for "partner-driven conservation and climate solutions," under President Biden's Investing in America agenda.

    By April 5, 2024