Agtech Action | Week of 10.17.20 - 10.23.20
Steaks in space, milk from plants and more net zero carbon initiatives coming from agriculture strategics
Happy Friday loyal agtech readers and welcome to those of you new to the newsletter. Glad you could join us on another exciting week in agtech. From a mummified twinkie, to Burger King’s new ad that is more ag-friendly, and to a growing phosphorous problem for farmers (check out Phinite, an interesting startup addressing this very issue). And I recap the week with some thoughts on the news and words about the Institute’s activities. Enjoy and please share with your network.
Food and the World:
Brazil suspending tariffs on corn and soy in 2021
100 days in: FDA recaps ‘New Era’ of food safety moves
Two states are leading a cover crop revival
As coronavirus hog backlog shrinks, farmers should see higher prices
US corn, soybean harvest paces tower over averages, USDA reports
Organic winemaking is a zoo with armadillos, falcons and pigs
A kimchi disaster is brewing after cabbage fields crippled
Milk from plant-based origins?
Child labour rising in Ghana and Ivory Coast’s cocoa farms
Ethiopia struggles to suppress desert locust infestation
Grassroots battle to commercialize South Africa’s Eastern Cape
EU’s ‘farm to fork’ demands could mean indigestion for US food exporters
PACA claims against frozen food company top $6M
The Farmers to Families Food Box program is about to end. Some farmers say it left them high and dry
Why are journalists always visiting diners in Trump country?
A look at the 2020 election through the lens of the restaurant industry
Farmers are facing a phosphorous crisis (a YLI startup Phinite is addressing this very issue through artificial wetlands, check them out!)
Budapest restaurant solves social-distancing dilemma by serving dinner on a Ferris wheel
Agriculture in the News:
FDA requests info on labeling of cell-cultured seafood
New research shows that extruded grains may be better for pigs
New EQIP final rule comes with pros and cons for farmers
The future of Black farmers in Atlanta looks just as unstable as the present
Bullish news needed for wheat market, analyst says
Mummified Twinkies (so disgusting that this is in our ‘food’)
What does CA’s Prop 12 mean for animal agriculture?
Pandemic purchases boost potato sales past 5-year records
Conservation reserve shrinks to smallest size since 1988
Steaks in Space? One farm startup says they can do that!
Growing vegetables in seawater could be the answer to feeding billions
FDA continues investigation into salmonella linked to peaches
Public health experts warn of possible COVID resurgence at food plants this Fall
Trump’s payments to farmers hit all-time high ahead of election
Political forecasting shows dairy votes crucial in 2020 election
Dairy industry unveils ‘Net Zero Initiative’ by 2050
School meal programs have lost more than $483M so far during the pandemic
The US still uses many pesticides banned in other countries
Helpful Resources:
Rural Americans now have a map to 2,300 free WiFi locations
Applications now open for on-farm internship experience
Extending the grazing season can add value to cull cows
New program to help secure land for new generation of farmers
Best farming practices for soil health vary by region
The story behind agriculture’s commodity checkoff programs (remember those campaigns ‘Pork the other white meat’ and ‘Cotton: the fabric of our lives’)
National FFA announces finalists for National FFA Agriscience Fair
AgVote 2020: Farm Foundation Forum (event that shows both sides of the aisle with respect to farmer policy and advocacy)
Fun:
Iowa brothers keep it oh-so-smooth with ‘Harvest Time’ parody video
Nashville musician highlights the journey of a ‘Life of a Farmer’
GROWMARK Foundation awards FFA jackets to local members
FFA members prepare for the 93rd National FFA Convention & Expo
Interesting Reads:
The Tale of Two Morrill Acts: 1890 Historically Black Land-Grant Universities
7 cattle operations recognized for environmental stewardship
Louisiana farmer explains processes and passion behind cotton
Sorghum farmer calls on policymakers to #SupportEthanol
What do you call a cow getting a massage? A whole moo’d
Agricultural advocacy works: Burger King’s latest ad highlights farmers
Finance:
Proterra pursues ‘Coca-Cola model’ for Asian alternative protein JV
EIF invests with Sofinnova Partners
AGR targets animal welfare premiums after Green Plains Cattle acquisition
EIB-backed bioeconomy fund targets €160M 2nd close
Solum eyes single crop verticals following Harvard spin-out
Financial stress rising in farm sector
15 minutes with … Ingo Mueller, CEO of AgriFORCE Growing Systems Ltd.
Woolworths foots $2.9M Series A for health and wellness platform Spoon Guru
JBS will use blockchain technology to enhance conservation of the Amazon
Meet Germany’s pioneering shrimp producer
Firmenich uses AI to create flavor mimicking grilled beef
PSP’s desire to partner could open doors for Australian superfunds
BrightFarms secures $100M to expand nationwide
Cattle group proposes more transparency in market prices
GPIF private equity head: ESG hasn’t taken a backseat during COVID-19
I had a blast this week participating in the IN2 Tabletalk organized by the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center and the AgTech NEXT conference. It was great to share the virtual floor with fellow IN2 strategic partners BioSTL EAGIC program manager Quentin Rund and AgLaunch Director of Innovation Connie Bowen, IN2 Program Manager Trish Cozart and Claire Kinlaw of the Danforth Plant Science Center.
The theme of this week’s agtech news is clear: traceability in the value chain. From cocoa harvested in Ghana by child labor, to carbon neutral initiatives from the dairy industry, and JBS using blockchain to trace conservation efforts in the Amazon. The consumer is demanding to know that what they eat is sustainably, ethically and safely sourced, harvested, processed and packaged. Gone are the days of the consumer turning a blind eye to where and how the food they eat got to their grocery aisle. Agriculture industry must do better and I believe it will, with the help of innovation and technology.
If you would like to get involved or support the Yield Lab Institute initiatives, please email me at brandon@theyieldlab.com. Stay safe and stay warm.
Brandon