Agtech Action | Week of 07.18.20 - 07.24.20
'Stealth' food banks, protein from wood and the locusts are coming in Argentina
A fantastic Friday to you! It’s the dog days of summer and guess what is back today—baseball! And what do you enjoy with a baseball game, a hot dog! Segue into this week’s newsletter: over 300k hot dogs were donated on National Hot Dog day, KFC is looking at 3D printing their nuggets and some helpful safety tips for kids on the farm. All this and more in this week’s agtech action newsletter. And big news is coming from the Institute, I promise! Slap some food on the grill and enjoy!
Food and the World:
Farm, anti-hunger groups try to squeeze into $1T pandemic bill
Cold front brings relief today but the dog days of summer are here
US meatpackers test UV air treatment systems in plants
Study quantifies value of red meat exports to US corn, soybeans
USDA announces changes to livestock gross margin insurance program
Potential propane shortage this fall
Signs of a COVID-19 slump in Indiana farmland prices
China’s H1 grain imports spike, on path to use up annual quotas
Corn condition steady, USDA reports
Yemen’s children starve amid rising fears of famine
US orders China to shut Houston Consulate
Thousands of food workers walk off the job in a ‘Strike for Black Lives’
Dicamba update: BASF petitions for a rehearing in US court
Story on Nancy Green, the ‘Real Aunt Jemima’
USDA announces improvements to livestock insurance
Bayer loses CA appeal of Roundup verdict, damages are reduced
325k hot dogs donated for National Hot Dog day
Hurricane and wildfire season may be more extreme
Signs of farm ‘revolution’ in India as coronavirus prompts change
World per capita pork consumption
Argentina stays hit by 2nd locust swarm, farmers on alert (Biblical stuff)
Bayer to make carbon sequestration a new crop opportunity
Agriculture in the News:
Soybean network makes research accessible to all
How Ben and Jerry’s perfected the delicate recipe for corporate activism
Bayer launches carbon capture program for farmers in US and Brazil
7 ways the Trump administration has deregulated the food system during COVID-19
KFC develops 3D-printed nuggets from chicken cells and plants
USDA releases report on boxed beef and fed cattle price investigation
US court allows sales of Corteva weed killer, adding to edge over Bayer
Carbon labels are finally coming to the food and beverage industry
USDA to offer $15M to socially disadvantaged and veteran farmer groups
USDA to announce 3rd round of Farmers to Families boxes soon
Foodservice operators ordering less fresh amid COVID-19
GM/Yoplait taps 3 Michigan dairies for regenerative ag pilot program
Trader Joe’s to change branding after petition calls it ‘racist’
Fresh Veg sales at retail up 16% from year-ago levels
Deep South supermarket Winn-Dixie will require face masks after all
Cargill partners with cattlemen to support beef industry
CA researchers find promising HLB treatment
Burger King ditches TV ad, asks leading extension scientist for help (uh oh!)
What is the FFA going to look like for the 2020-21 school year?
BASF, PowerPollen announce research collaboration for hybrid wheat
Soybean checkoff generates a 91:1 to 109:1 ROI for Iowa and N. Illinois farmers
Focus group shows why dairy grocery sales up
Vytelle, Growsafe combine to accelerate bovine biotechnology
COVID-19 continues to bring anxiety but hope for new aid
Foodservice groups praise COVID-19 tax bill
Helpful Resources:
No room for accidents: Keeping farm kids safe
Dairy disasters and how to get through them
Farm Bureau makes ag education more accessible
Communication is key is facing COVID-19 challenges
Signup now for Animal Ag Allies development program
Fun:
Maryland FFA awards 101 gift of blue jackets
Interesting Reads:
A resilient food supply chain is the first step in health for all
TerMir received $100k Agtech Innovation Prize
Why the rain keeps missing your farm
Why COVID-19 relief should include America’s agricultural fairs
‘Stealth’ food banks serve the undocumented
Boston Market sues chicken companies for millions in broiler overcharges
Meet the people who bring food and comfort to NYC’s homebound, food-insecure seniors
Why canceling pipeline projects could cost farmers $1B (from a distribution of grain perspective)
Don’t be fooled by food labels
Finance:
KKR takes stake in carbon markets investor GreenCollar
Australian ag needs to revamp itself to attract more investment – report
Human health discovery’s journey is playing out in crop science – Anterra
Taranis raises $30M Series C for high resolution crop imaging
Buhler is latest investor in Big Idea Ventures’ $50M new protein fund
Branching out to a new plant-based ingredient made from wood
Crisp closes on $12M Series A to forecast demand in the food supply chain
Agrivoltaics proving a responsible way to blend solar fields and traditional ag
Capital appreciation on Australian farmland lowest since March 2016 – NCREIF
Ospraie-backed Marrone Bio’s new CEO targets rapid revenue growth
PODCAST: Is the coronavirus a blip on the agriculture forecast sheet?
HKW-based Fresh Direct acquires organics provider as part of Canada expansion
Elanco acquisition of Bayer Animal Health approved
Last week we wrote about the Burger King ad and the backlash it generated; well they reached out to the world’s expert Dr. Mitloehner for help and retracted the ad. And this week there was a lot of finance and venture activity—from the Elanco acquisition of Bayer Animal Health to several funds being launched and startups closing large fundraising rounds—that suggests the future is bright for agtech! We have an interesting piece on how a more resilient food supply chain can move us toward better health for all and I totally agree!
As I’ve teased in a few newsletters, we have an enormous announcement coming for the Institute! I cannot wait to share and we are getting closer. Thank you for your patience.
If you would like to get involved or support the Yield Lab Institute initiatives, please email me at brandon@theyieldlab.com. Stay safe, eat clean and get some exercise.
Brandon