Crops

  • Heavy smoke clouds of carbon emissions spew from three cylindrical columns rising from a factory in the background, partly obscured by trees, with the roof of a house barely visible in the foreground.
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    Mark Wilson via Getty Images
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    EPA issues violation notice to ADM over carbon sequestration permit

    A monitoring well designed to keep track of whether captured carbon is flowing to the right place had corroded, though has since been plugged.

    By Lamar Johnson • Sept. 16, 2024
  • A tug pulls a barge into the middle of a river
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Low Mississippi River water levels disrupt barge shipping for third consecutive year

    Cargo restrictions come as grain harvests begin and agricultural shippers look to offload more commodities from storage.

    By • Sept. 16, 2024
  • Guardian Agriculture's SC1 eVTOL sprays crops in California. Explore the Trendline➔
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    Courtesy of Guardian Agriculture
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    Trendline

    Top 5 stories from Agriculture Dive

    Declining farm income and other production challenges have pushed farmers to rethink their operations and adopt new technology in a bid to diversify potential revenue streams. 

    By Agriculture Dive staff
  • The Bank of America logo is displayed on the side of a Bank of America branch office January 20, 2010 in San Francisco, California.
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    Justin Sullivan / Staff via Getty Images
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    Bank of America closes $205M deal with biofuels producer for clean fuel credits

    The financial institution will purchase tax credits generated by the carbon captured at Harvestone Low Carbon Partners’ North Dakota ethanol facility.

    By Lamar Johnson • Sept. 16, 2024
  • Apples picked from an orchard in Somerset, England, are placed in a basket in 2015.
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    Matt Cardy via Getty Images
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    Awash with apples: Warmer temperatures yield early but fruitful harvest

    Honeycrisps and other varieties are ripening sooner, presenting new challenges as climate change intensifies.

    By Jennifer Lawinski • Sept. 16, 2024
  • People standing in a field, clad in sweatshirts, plastic aprons and baseball caps, with masks.
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    Brent Stirton via Getty Images
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    Column

    Agtech Seedlings: H-2A worker management app addresses seasonal farm challenges

    Also in this week’s farm technology news: Kubota acquires a Pittsburgh-based robotics startup, and GreenVenus unveils fast-growing lettuce for indoor growing.

    By • Sept. 13, 2024
  • Smoke obstructs the view of a rainforest
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    Victor Moriyama via Getty Images
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    Column

    Brazil wildfires damage sugarcane crops

    Burning fields have sparked concerns over the global sugar supply, a shortage that would have far-reaching repercussions.

    By Elizabeth Flood • Sept. 13, 2024
  • strawberries
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    Hispanolistic via Getty Images
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    Are strawberries tasting worse? Tech platform says it can help fruit maintain quality

    New labels track the humidity and temperature of berries, helping producers maintain a fresher, sweeter fruit. 

    By Chris Casey • Sept. 12, 2024
  • A woman is seen pouring maple syrup into a tank
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Maple syrup production to ‘bounce back’ after devastating season

    After the world's only strategic maple reserve dwindled to a 16-year low, the industry is rebuilding in the face of continued climate challenges.

    By Leah Borts-Kuperman • Sept. 11, 2024
  • The sun sets behind the US Capitol
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    Tom Brenner via Getty Images
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    Can a farm bill pass in 2024?

    Threats of yet another government shutdown are likely to derail a last-ditch effort to pass the agricultural spending bill. The election itself could lead to further delays.

    By • Sept. 11, 2024
  • Avocados hanging on the tree.
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    David McNew via Getty Images
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    Avocado supply shortages generate record profits

    Mission Produce and Limoneira are seeing strong consumer demand even in the face of higher grocery store prices. 

    By • Sept. 10, 2024
  • Exterior of the U.S. EPA headquarters with two flags flying
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    EPA awards $15M to research how PFAS contaminate food and farmland

    The grants, which will fund studies to reduce the impact of "forever chemicals" on crops and livestock, come as a group of farmers sue the agency over a lack of regulation.

    By • Sept. 9, 2024
  • A farmer drives his tractor out of a red barn
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Farm income to fall far less than expected in revised USDA forecast

    The department is no longer expecting a record profit drop in 2024 as production expenses decline and rising meat and egg prices boost the livestock sector.

    By • Sept. 6, 2024
  • A tractor moves through a farm field
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Farmers are getting less for their crops. Here’s the full breakdown.

    While prices in July were sharply lower compared to a year ago for most commodities, meat and dairy producers benefited from lower supply.

    By • Sept. 5, 2024
  • Dry grasses go to seed as drought conditions worsen in California.
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    David McNew via Getty Images
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    Drought takes hold of the US following a hot summer. How will crops be affected?

    A significant increase in dry conditions across the country is increasing the risk of damage to winter wheat, cotton and other commodities. 

    By • Sept. 4, 2024
  • A fertilizer manufacturing plant is seen
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    Courtesy of Koch Fertilizer
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    Koch completes controversial $3.6B fertilizer plant acquisition

    The sale was widely panned by lawmakers and agricultural groups, who said it further consolidates the market at the expense of taxpayers.

    By • Sept. 3, 2024
  • Buckwheat flour overflowing on wooden spoon
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    MonaMakela via Getty Images
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    Buckwheat in your ice cream? Quinoa in your milk? Sustainable grains emerge as a star ingredient

    More companies are incorporating them into their products to enhance the nutrition and sustainability.

    By Elizabeth Flood • Sept. 3, 2024
  • Man with orange basket shopping for produce in a grocery store
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    Hryshchyshen Serhii via Shutterstock

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    Are shoppers’ concerns around food inflation starting to ease?

    While consumers feel they have “more or less control” over their grocery finances, they are still worried about rising food costs, new FMI research found.

    By Peyton Bigora • Aug. 30, 2024
  • A farmer presses his hands into bare soil
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    Maksym Belchenko via Getty Images
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    Mad Markets buys Timeless Seeds to bridge ‘missing middle’ in regenerative ag

    The purchase of the organic legume processor kicks off a new venture to connect farmers with CPG  buyers.

    By • Aug. 29, 2024
  • Rows of green crops are seen against the backdrop of a drought-stricken landscape
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    Record ag trade deficit to widen in fiscal 2025: USDA

    The latest projections come as farmers experience lower crop prices, driving a decline in export values.

    By • Aug. 28, 2024
  • An aerial shot shows bins of zucchini with workers near by gathering crops
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    USDA awards specialty crop producers $82M to expand markets

    The funding will support research and marketing for producers of fruits, vegetables and nuts as the industry pushes for more farm bill money.

    By • Aug. 27, 2024
  • A herbicide sprayer is seen on a soybean field
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    simazoran via Getty Images
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    How the EPA plans to protect endangered species from weedkillers

    A new framework could require farms near vulnerable habitats to take additional conservation steps. Here's what to know.

    By • Aug. 26, 2024
  • Cabbage seedlings are seen in the foreground in a field with farmworkers in the background.
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    John Moore via Getty Images
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    American Vanguard to end global production of Dacthal weedkiller after EPA ban

    The sole U.S. manufacturer of the herbicide is working to remove the product from the market following regulators' determination that DCPA can harm fetal development. 

    By • Aug. 23, 2024
  • A Canadian National Railway locomotive pulls a train on a track
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    Andrew Chin via Getty Images
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    Canada’s rail network shuts down: Here’s what it means for agriculture

    A lockout of union workers is expected to upend transportation of fertilizer and create risks for grain shippers ahead of the upcoming harvest.

    By • Aug. 22, 2024
  • A woman fills a plastic container with lentils from a dispenser
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    Leon Neal via Getty Images
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    Louis Dreyfus forms dedicated pulses unit

    The processor is capitalizing on global demand for beans, peas, chickpeas and lentils, which have gained prominence as a meat alternative.

    By • Aug. 21, 2024
  • Canadian National intermodal containers Delta Port British Columbia
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    Provided by Canadian National 

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    Farm groups pressure Canada’s government to prevent rail shutdown

    A work stoppage at the country’s main railroads would create extensive disruption for grain farmers and U.S. agriculture, stakeholders say.

    By Larry Avila , • Aug. 21, 2024