Agtech Action | Week of 12.17.22 - 12.23.22
Agtech Action is a weekly newsletter highlighting current events in the world of agtech, and some light-hearted commentary
A vaccine to slow cow emissions, avian flu outbreak in US, and lettuce prices are rising. Plants have mouths, a giant Fruit Loop and new standards for sesame (a major allergen) labeling.
Rest is the theme of the agtech week. Every innovator needs rest to recharge, to rejuvenate and to rewind. An interesting thing about rest—it can be a source of innovation. We keep it short and sweet this week and rest with this week’s newsletter.
Food and the World:
Mexico says it aims for agreement with U.S. on GM corn in January
Planting Delays Continue in Parched Argentina
Congress fails to pass farm labor reforms in omnibus spending bill
Largest foreign animal disease outbreak in U.S. history (0:00 mark); 57.5M birds impacted
Weather, pest issues push vegetable prices higher in 2022
Lettuce prices rising (0:00 mark)
Farmers get socked with big hike in H-2A wage rates
The importance of beef trade to the cattle industry
Farmers Ask, Will South Dakota Snow be Enough to Save the Wheat Crop?
New standards for sesame labeling (0:30 mark); nation’s 9th major allergen
Senate Confirms U.S. Ag Negotiator and USDA Food Safety Chief
The ‘Four Corners’ of Ag Policy are Back for the Farm Bill
U.S. Winter Storm Hits Meat Plants, Threatens Wheat and Cattle
Agtech in the News:
2023 Worse Than 2022? (for vertical farming)
Raven Advances Precision and Autonomous Agtech with Two Raven Autonomy Product Debuts
Plants Have Mouths–And They Could Help Agriculture Adapt to Climate Change
How Starlink Is a Reliable Internet Service for Rural America
Ace Aquatec to bring their electric stunners to Greece
New Breakthrough Institute Report Highlights Massive R&D Funding Gap for Agricultural Climate Action
The ‘elegant’ yeast-based technology solution vowing to disrupt the global beverage industry
What Has Been the Performance of Indoor Ag Companies This Year?
In extreme weather, organic farming produces higher yields, report says
Novozymes, Chr. Hansen to Merge, Forming Global Biosolutions Leader
Can a vaccine for cows slash methane emissions?
Fun:
Krispy Kreme to add automation (0:30 mark)
Giant Fruit Loop (1:10 mark); 930 calorie cereal piece
Burritos are the most ordered food (0:30 mark) according to GrubHub
Zebra and Giraffe bones seized (1:00 mark) at DC airport
Law enforcement vs. llama (1:00 mark)
Helpful Resources:
Nuclear fusion need not apply: Planet-saving tech is ready to scale
3 Tips to Prepare Your Combine for Winter
Q4 2022: PitchBook Analyst Note: Impact Investing Update
The 2022 Full Report: EPA Automotive Trends Report
2022: Emerging Space Brief: Carbon Offset Trading Platforms
PitchBook Analyst Note: 2023 US Venture Capital Outlook
Q4 2022: 2023 European Private Capital Outlook
Only YOU Can Prevent the Spread Of “Free” Storage
Q4 2022: PitchBook Analyst Note: 2023 US Private Equity Outlook
Interesting Reads:
Revise GMO Corn Decree or Face U.S. Challenge, Vilsack Warns Mexico
Why haven’t other proteins been Eggland’s Best-ed?
The deep roots of Mexico’s trade dispute with U.S. over GMO corn
Winter Storm and Arctic Blast Hit Wheat and Cattle Country: How Are Markets Responding?
Is Your Startup a Good Fit for Venture Capital?
Ruto's US trip yields fruit: Kenya to host global tech-event next year
Microsoft teams up with Viasat to spread satellite internet access across Africa
Next wave: Africa’s journey to digital innovation is older than you think
Qualcomm Announces Africa Innovation Platform
Finance:
Australian agriculture and fishing receives A$1.6B foreign investment in Q1 2022
Centuria buys Sundrop Farms from Morrison & Co for more than A$70M
Infinitum raises $110M D-round
eZaga and Digital Financial Exchange Launches Multi-Asset Investment Platform
SWAHILIES has raised $50,000 in pre-seed funding from The Baobab Network
What does 2023 have in store for natural assets?
Gaia raises $3M to bring more science to the art of forestry
ULUU closes $8.6M seed round with some pretty special investors
Agrify Announce a USD 8.7M Public Offering
Winter Farm Raises $46M to Replace 10 Pct of Canada’s Strawberry Imports
Eion Closes On $12M Series A for Mineral-Based Carbon Sequestration
Ag investing outlook: from change to opportunity
Theme of the Agtech Week: Rest
I enjoy this time of the year: business is winding down, families are gathering together and we rest. The great, and exhausting thing, about being an innovator is that you are always on the ‘go’, or always working, but that has a toll. That toll can come in many forms and can have a deleterious effect on the innovative process. And that is why we need to rest. The theme of the agtech week, we explore how rest is warranted and can actually increase productivity, creativity and innovativeness.
Rest is well-studied and in fact studies show that rest, quality rest, can enhance well-being including many things including immunity, decision making, and productivity. Do you remember that bright idea you had? Was that idea sparked from a well-rested or exhausted mind? I don’t remember a good idea that I’ve had when I was running on fumes. And what about the effect that rest has on entrepreneurship? Studies says that a lack of rest can contribute to difficulty concentrating, impatience and irritability. Do you remember the last time you solved a problem, or innovated yourself out of a bind on an irritable, impatient mind? Yeah, me neither.
Rest does not have to be literal rest—you can actively rest. A brisk, refreshing walk is a great way to unplug, recharge and actively rest. I have found that a walk is a great way to get inspired and I’m often at my most creative when going on a walk. New thoughts, solutions and ideas seem to sprout most often with a rested mind. Try it and let me know if you see results.
Have a restful Friday and wonderful holidays with family and friends. Thanks for reading.
BD
Brandon Day is the Chief Operating Officer of The Yield Lab Institute, the global agtech think-tank, non-profit arm of The Yield Lab global network of venture capital funds and accelerator programs. The views, opinions and commentary expressed are solely those of Brandon Day.