Agtech Action | Week of 09.26.20 - 10.02.20
When bread is no longer bread, a plant-based shoe, and a huge IPO in agtech
Another happy, healthy and safe Friday to you all. This proved to be a huge week of news, from an enormous IPO in the indoor ag space, to new cases of African Swine fever in Germany, and encouraging news on the sugar-sweetened drink front for the US. And the agony of tortilla chip injuries and since it would not be election season without a little food controversy (hint: ice cream). Exciting news to come on the challenge and initiatives front for the Yield Lab Institute and a report back on our Digital Ag panel at the Ascent Conference. Stay tuned and plugged in.
Food and the World:
Corn is approaching all-time lows
Brazil soy prices near 2012 high
Consumers will pay higher meat prices through 2020
Reebok offering a plant-based shoe
More than $53M invested to help US farmers prosper
Churches distributing USDA food boxes are blurring the boundaries between church and state
Digital menus have long faced resistance from US customers. COVID is upending that
US soybeans, corn piles get smaller, USDA says
There are half as many dairy farms as there were in 2003
US trade representative requests investigation into blueberry imports
What is the toll of trade wars on US agriculture?
Surprise Canadian plan on romaine import requirements raises alarm
Manzi Meat: Africa’s first cell-based meat startup
Meatpackers in the Americas accelerate automation after outbreaks, lagging Europe
Germany finds 2 more African Swine fever cases in wild boar
HEROES Act II includes $2.2T in relief for Americans
Agriculture in the News:
Palm oil labor abuses linked to world’s top brands, banks
Response: US will block palm oil from large Malaysian producer
CDC is recommending virtual Thanksgiving dinners this year (no thank you)
New soy-based products protect US roadways
Bayer provides professional opportunities to underrepresented groups
FFA rolls out ambitious plan to address lack of diversity among members, staff
Cattle producers welcome introduction of PRICE Act
Maryland first state to ban foam food containers
Election 2020: Who should ag choose?
An ice cream controversy at the first Presidential debate (nothing is off limits these days)
House bill aims for more local meat production
Economic recovery depends on ‘the path of the virus’—fed official
FL lifts COVID restrictions on bars and restaurants, clearing the way for normal indoor dining
Restaurants are struggling to find—and afford—patio heaters
Gucci is selling grass stained overalls for over $1,400 (so much I could say here but I will not)
Ag groups send letter urging Congress to remain in WTO
CA dairy’s carbon footprint steadily shrinking
United Fresh wants to extend USDA programs beyond crisis
Federal judge removes acting Bureau of Land Management director
Helpful Resources:
New online tool to help states seize carbon in agricultural lands
Deadline to comment on USDA’s anti-fraud organic rule nears
Good trouble: Georgia congressmen advance systemic change for young farmers
Fun:
Chocolate beer is back!! (Yeah! A chocolate-y cold one)
Why Sweden’s ancient tradition of Calling Home the Herds is women’s work
Sanboken: Japan’s rare, sour citrus fruit
FFA embraces agricultural education for all
Farmer’s daughter: 5 things I learned about animal agriculture
Interesting Reads:
The agony of tortilla chip injuries (we’ve all had them)
Can a genetically modified bug combat a global farm plague?
When is bread no longer bread?! According to an Irish court, Subway bread is not bread
Could wearables reduce worker injury in the poultry industry?
Animal Ag Alliance releases report on HSUS’ ‘animal-rights’ conference (conference has a clear agenda)
First US soil sample to soar to space to help farmers
Redefining drought in the US corn belt
Misinformation is not OK: An open letter to FlavCity
10 of the most iconic farming quotes in history
Opinion: The factory farming fallacy
Finance:
AppHarvest is going public (huge news for indoor ag)
Australian farmland returns hold steady but capital gains continue to fall - NCREIF
CPDQ, S2G Ventures partner on $125M to invest in sustainable, climate-friendly food and ag
rePlant Capital launches $250M soil fund I to support scalable regenerative shift
Credit Suisse and Rockefeller ocean fund raises $212M
Israel startup CanBreed to enhance cannabis seeds using gene editing
The private credit investment opportunity in ag
Why Vertical Farming agtech should be on your investment horizon
New Forests signs Finance for Biodiversity Pledge at UN General Assembly
Why single-asset secondaries are booming
The Yield Lab led a panel called ‘Investing in Digital Ag’ this past week, led by Thad Simons and Kyle Welborn. Thank you to the panelists Mike Stern of The Climate Corporation, Andrew Nash of AGERpoint, Dmitry Kozachenok of Ecto and Jordan Huck of ChefHero for an enlightening and fascinating talk. If you would like to learn more about those startups and the numerous and fascinating startups in the Yield Lab network, please reach out to me!
This week’s news shows that the consumer wants to know everything in the food supply chain—how the food is grown, harvested, how and where it is processed and packaged and ultimately how it ends up in our hands. And the consumer wants to know that the supply chain is fair, transparent, safe and does not exploit resources and people. Gone are the days of the ignorant consumer and multi-nationals are taking note of that. Truthfully, a more equitable and transparent supply chain also equates to a more sustainable supply chain. We are witnessing supply chains being re-defined and re-constructed in real time.
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