Crops

  • A cow is seen on the move while a drone flies behind it
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Matt Barton/University of Kentucky
    Image attribution tooltip
    Column

    Agtech seedlings: University of Kentucky to herd cattle with drones

    In other farm technology news: Farm management platform CropX acquires a nitrogen-sensing startup, and S2G Ventures invests to expand rural broadband.

    By • Sept. 20, 2024
  • Straw bales in a field after the wheat harvest in Indiana.
    Image attribution tooltip
    William Reagan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    General Mills teams with grocery giant to expand regenerative agriculture

    A collaboration between Ahold Delhaize USA and the consumer food company will support farmers in key growing regions as they transition to practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

    By • Sept. 19, 2024
  • Guardian Agriculture's SC1 eVTOL sprays crops in California. Explore the Trendline➔
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Guardian Agriculture
    Image attribution tooltip
    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 Bayer logo is seen lit up at night on the side of a building
    Image attribution tooltip
    Adam Berry via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Bayer and other seed giants defeat farmer price-fixing lawsuit

    A judge dismissed claims that agricultural chemical companies such as Syngenta and Corteva purposefully avoided e-commerce sites as a tactic to skirt price competition.

    By • Sept. 18, 2024
  • A tractor is seen spreading manure-based fertilizer on a field.
    Image attribution tooltip
    fotokostic via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    EPA says it has no obligation to regulate PFAS in biosolid fertilizers

    The agency filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit brought by Texas farmers who allege they’ve been harmed by contamination from “forever chemicals” after spreading sewage sludge on agricultural land.

    By Jacob Wallace • Sept. 18, 2024
  • Berries are seen in a bowl next to a person sitting at a computer
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Pairwise
    Image attribution tooltip

    Gene-editing startup Pairwise partners with Corteva, unveils $40M funding round

    The announcements add to collaborations with Bayer and underscores a shift in the agtech company’s focus away from producing seedless blackberries and other innovative food crops. 

    By • Sept. 17, 2024
  • 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.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Mark Wilson via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
    Image attribution tooltip
    Scott Olson via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • The Bank of America logo is displayed on the side of a Bank of America branch office January 20, 2010 in San Francisco, California.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan / Staff via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Matt Cardy via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Brent Stirton via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    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
    Image attribution tooltip
    Victor Moriyama via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    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
    Image attribution tooltip
    Hispanolistic via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
    Image attribution tooltip
    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
    Image attribution tooltip
    Tom Brenner via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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.
    Image attribution tooltip
    David McNew via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
    Image attribution tooltip
    Scott Olson via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
    Image attribution tooltip
    Scott Olson via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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.
    Image attribution tooltip
    David McNew via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Koch Fertilizer
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
    Image attribution tooltip
    MonaMakela via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
    Image attribution tooltip

    Hryshchyshen Serhii via Shutterstock

    Image attribution tooltip

    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
    Image attribution tooltip
    Maksym Belchenko via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
    Image attribution tooltip
    Mario Tama via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
    Image attribution tooltip
    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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