Agtech Action | Week of 08.22.20 - 08.28.20
Women are boosting nutrition in Africa, CA fire relief for family farmers and no more finger licking while you eat
A safe agtech Friday from CA (visiting family). Very intriguing and compelling news in agtech, from women-led agribusinesses boosting nutrition in Africa, to debt-ridden Indian farmers and mental health consequences, and do not lick your fingers anymore eating chicken (yes, KFC is warning against their favorite slogan during COVID). And meat sales are up, China reaffirms the trade deal and the Yield Lab Europe accelerator application deadline has been extended. Enjoy!
Food and the World:
University of Illinois projects negative returns for near-record corn crop
USDA covers possible gap in food box program between rounds
Why crop tour scouts had a tough time measuring Derecho damage
Trump adds $1B to Farmers to Families Food Box program
Meat sales remain high despite pandemic
Farmers have their eye on hurricanes as harvest begins
US corn, soybean crop conditions roll back, USDA says
USDA doubles down against allowing schools to serve free lunch to all children this fall
Peaches recalled nationwide after 101 sickened, 17 hospitalized across North America
Administration prepares another multibillion-dollar aid package for agriculture
Fall fruit crops flourish in CA
Taiwan paves way for US trade deal by easing pork, beef imports
China books record weekly US beef purchases, also buys US corn
Hurricane Laura slams coast, soaks fields
Why are Indian farmers so angry? Issue of debt-ridden farmers and rates of suicide
Indian farmers driven to debt as banks turn risk-averse during pandemic
China to probe labs, farms in crackdown on illegal African swine fever vaccines
Fair trade Kampot pepper helps Cambodian farmers and Canadian food banks
South Sudan seeks $250M loan from African Exim Bank
Africa: How women-led agribusinesses are boosting nutrition in Africa
Nigeria to become Africa’s largest avocado producer by 2030 - Obasanjo
Agriculture in the News:
CA fire relief fund launched to support family farmers
The White House wants to fight a culture war over red meat. The Democrats shouldn’t take the bait (according to this article)
Trump admin puts COVID-wrecked meat processor on food safety panel
KFC pauses ‘finger lickin’ good’ slogan during coronavirus pandemic
More growers, less hemp in industry slowed by uncertainty, pandemic
Nearly half of all meatpacking plant outbreaks are still not accounted for
America’s biggest dairy co-op may buy Dairy Foods. Opponents fear a milk monopoly
How the pandemic devastated Instacart workers
US apple crop estimate closely follows USDA projection
Salinas moves toward business as usual after wildfires
Iowa’s 2021 farm profits to hinge on trade and gov’t payments, economists says
US, China reaffirm commitment to Phase 1 trade deal in phone call
Lawmakers are catching up to food delivery companies. They won’t cave in without a fight
House Chair: USDA coronavirus aid process ‘risks public distrust’
Crossbreeding of Holsteins improves fertility without detriment to production
USDA tightens eligibility rules for farm subsidies
China July pork imports hit record 430k tonnes
Helpful Resources:
EPA & USDA start competition to advance ag sustainability
USDA encourages ag producers to prepare for Hurricane Laura
Rise like a Phoenix from the COVID-19 Black Swan
Fun:
You might be a hobby farmer if … (IRS list of hobby farmer eligibility rules)
YouTube honors farmer who uses video to share her life in ag (hooray for agtech!)
National FFA connects ag education with the food value chain
Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show exhibitors receive scholarships
Corteva supports #FarmON Virtual Concert benefitting 4-H
Parasites threaten dairy heifer health and productivity
Online training portal zeroes in on farmer stress, mental health
THE HOT SEAT: What the Farm podcast puts Burger King’s marketing exec in the hot seat
Interesting Reads:
As colleges abruptly cancel in-person classes, campus dining halls scramble to pivot – again
The boundary pusher – piece on Peter Meehan’s food media efforts and the consequences of it
Big Fish – the aquaculture revolution
Did pangolin trafficking cause the coronavirus pandemic?
Coastal food banks, Gulf shrimpers, Louisiana rice farmers are ready for Hurricane Laura
Dairies and environmental protection can be compatible
Plant breeders: Mission critical and imperiled
Farmland detective finds grave of youngest civil war soldier?
Consumer trust necessary for growers to meet rising food demand
Perspective: Gen Z’s acceptance of food tech could get us past this atmosphere of fear
Non-GMO Project label doesn’t necessarily mean its free of genetic engineering
Finance:
LandFund draws from opportunistic farmland fund for Mississippi purchase
Ospraie adds CO2 delivery to indoor portfolio with C$1.4M private placement
Chinese takeover of Australian milk processor blocked on national interest grounds
‘Project Carpaccio’ a success, declares meat-printing startup
WWF launches impact investment strategy leading $1.5M in funding for seaweed farmer ocean rainforest
Biotech startup Mushlabs raises $10M Series A to scale mycelia production
Hancock buys Rural Funds’ Mooral almond orchard for A$98M
Aqua bets on food personalization and wellness with Puravida investment
HSBC enters ag and timber through natural capital JV
Four lessons coronavirus has taught us about ag
THE YIELD LAB ANNOUNCES NEW CYCLE AND €21 MILLION INVESTMENT FUND
Closing date for applications EXTENDED: 25th September 2020
The Yield Lab Europe is now accepting applications for its 2020 specialist accelerator program, which includes equity investment and tailored supports to help European AgTech companies commercialize globally. To apply visit www.theyieldlab.ie
The Yield Lab Europe invests in early stage, deep tech companies with technologies to improve the carbon footprint and the broader environmental footprint of the agrifood industry, whilst improving the profitability of the industry. There is an overall investment fund of €21 million; with successful companies receiving €100,000, and the best of these companies have the opportunity of securing up to €2m in equity investment.
Apply today: www.theyieldlab.ie
Closing date: 25th September 2020
Just when you think agriculture would get a break from unforeseen events (COVID, CA wildfires), then comes Hurricane Laura. But the agriculture and agtech community shows its resilience, with organizations (food banks) and groups (gulf shrimpers, etc.) standing by to help those communities recover. The steadfastness and mobilization of ag demonstrates that our community and people keep moving forward in spite of it all. We keep going!
If you would like to get involved or support the Yield Lab Institute initiatives, please email me at brandon@theyieldlab.com. Stay safe and wash your hands.
Brandon