Crops

  • The new Schnucks Battle Crossing store in Columbia, Missouri.
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    Courtesy of Schnuck Markets
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    Schnucks is giving grocery shoppers an express lane to local produce

    Following a successful pilot, the Midwestern grocer plans to expand its use of tracking technology to digitally alert customers when freshly picked foods arrive in stores.

    By Sam Silverstein • Dec. 8, 2023
  • Canadian National train Chicago
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    Provided by Canadian National

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    CN to buy Iowa Northern Railway as US biofuels market booms

    The railroad is handling increased grain volumes as more shippers choose to send their products to Midwest processing facilities.

    By • Dec. 7, 2023
  • People arrive at a theater where a picture of farmland is projected on a screen with the word "Action."
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    Sean Gallup via Getty Images
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    The biggest food sustainability pledges at COP28, from Bezos to JBS

    Food companies commit millions of dollars to tackle methane and advance regenerative agriculture, while governments prioritize farming in climate action plans. Here are the highlights from the U.N. climate summit in Dubai.

    By • Dec. 7, 2023
  • dairy cow cattle
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    Getty via Getty Images
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    Danone partners on $200M+ accelerator to reduce methane

    The yogurt producer is the first corporate sponsor of the Global Methane Hub’s program, which will fund research for solutions that address livestock's effect on emissions.

    By Chris Casey • Dec. 1, 2023
  • A truck kicks up dirt as it passes a farm field in a deforested section of the Amazon
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    Cargill accelerates efforts to end deforestation in South America as EU regulations loom

    One of the world's largest commodities traders is moving up its timeline to eliminate land use conversion from supply chains in Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay. 

    By • Nov. 28, 2023
  • The 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map is now available as a source of information that gardeners, growers and researchers alike can use.
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    Courtesy of Oregon State University
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    USDA’s first new plant zone map since 2012 shows warmer temperatures

    The latest version of the Plant Hardiness Zone Map is more detailed and draws from more recent data reflecting that half of the country shifted to warmer zones.

    By • Nov. 22, 2023
  • An aerial view of a pineapple plantation nested inside forested area
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    Permission granted by Fresh Del Monte
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    How Fresh Del Monte uses its farms to test regenerative agriculture efforts

    The produce giant is stepping up to address gaps in sustainability for tropical fruits by experimenting with conservation efforts on company-owned farms.

    By • Nov. 22, 2023
  • A sign on a drinks case door that reads "We accept SNAP/EBT."
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    Catherine Douglas Moran/Agriculture Dive
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    Farm bill extension continues prohibition on EBT processing fees for SNAP purchases

    The National Grocers Association praised the continued pause on the fees even as it advocates for a permanent end to them.

    By Catherine Douglas Moran • Nov. 20, 2023
  • Benson Hill soybeans
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    Courtesy of Benson Hill
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    Nutrien acquires soybean breeder as demand for biofuels intensifies

    The deal will expand the company’s line of row crop products sold throughout the South as burgeoning renewable energy markets take shape.

    By • Nov. 20, 2023
  • Breeder and geneticist Marcio Resende
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    Retrieved from University of Florida on November 16, 2023
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    An AI taste ‘connoisseur’ could be the future of crop breeding

    Researchers at the University of Florida are using artificial intelligence to determine which chemical compounds produce the best fruit flavors based on consumer preferences.

    By Tasmiha Khan and Iman Adem • Nov. 20, 2023
  • A fertilizer manufacturing facility is seen
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    Courtesy of Nutrien
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    Nutrien partners with agtech startup on a more sustainable fertilizer

    CoteX and the manufacturing giant will explore market opportunities for a controlled-release nitrogen fertilizer that minimizes environmental impact, yet is suitable for large acreage crops.

    By • Nov. 17, 2023
  • fruits and vegetables in bowls
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    Christopher Furlong via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    The fresh produce industry is more volatile than ever. Can tech help?

    Improved data and collaboration will be key to bringing fruits and vegetables supply chains into the 21st century.

    By Patrick McCullough • Nov. 10, 2023
  • Mounds of sugar are on a red surface. A hand holds a teaspoon full of sugar over one of them.
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    Luis Ascui/Stringer via Getty Images
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    Federal watchdog urges sugar policy reform to lower prices

    Current policies benefit farmers at the expense of consumers, according to a recent GAO report.

    By • Nov. 7, 2023
  • A robot hand picks a blackberry
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    Permission granted by Provided by Yue Chen
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    How an AI-powered robot could lend fruit farmers a helping ‘hand’

    Specialty crop growers have some of the highest labor costs in agriculture, but automation remains difficult due to the delicate nature of produce. 

    By Lydia Noyes • Nov. 6, 2023
  • Cargill's newly expanded soybean processing plant in Sidney, Ohio.
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    Courtesy of Cargill
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    Cargill completes Ohio soybean plant expansion

    The agricultural giant’s latest project nearly doubled the site’s crush capacity as renewable energy demand grows.

    By • Nov. 3, 2023
  • halloween candy
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Halloween candy prices haunted by higher sugar, cocoa costs

    Extreme weather has led to global shortages, but that doesn't entirely explain inflation for sweets in the U.S., a Wells Fargo analyst said.

    By Chris Casey • Oct. 31, 2023
  • An aerial shot of a corn processing complex
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    Courtesy of City of Marshall
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    ADM and Solugen to build Minnesota biomanufacturing facility for plant-based chemicals

    The collaboration will transform corn dextrose into materials that can be used in packaging, construction and personal care. 

    By • Oct. 31, 2023
  • Two men shake hands in front of a panel of people who are clapping
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    Permission granted by U.S. Soybean Export Council
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    China signs purchase agreements for US farm goods worth billions of dollars

    Cargill, Bunge and ADM were among companies involved in 11 deals at a formal signing ceremony, the first between the two countries since 2017.

    By • Oct. 30, 2023
  • Leafy greens grow in an AmplifiedAg vertical farming facility.
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    Courtesy of AmplifiedAg, Inc.
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    Agtech firm to build $1.2M indoor farm at a US prison

    AmplifiedAg says the facility at a women's center in South Carolina will be the first vertical farm located onsite a U.S. correctional institution.

    By • Oct. 24, 2023
  • A close up view of a glass bottle filled with soy oil on a rustic wooden table with a bowl with dried soybeans on its left.
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    fcafotodigital via Getty Images
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    Louis Drefyus plans $500M Ohio soy processing plant

    Demand for biofuels and natural ingredients is spurring an expansion of crush facilities across the U.S. 

    By • Oct. 23, 2023
  • A trailer with the Syngenta logo sits at the base of mountains in Switzerland
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    Courtesy of Syngenta
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    Syngenta shakes up leadership with new CEO, CFO

    The seeds and agrichemical producer is elevating two company insiders to the top jobs.

    By • Oct. 20, 2023
  • Overhead side view of bottles of Heinz Ketchup
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Kraft Heinz says 75% of tomatoes in ketchup now sustainably sourced

    By 2025, the food and beverage company is on track to purchase 100% of its ketchup tomatoes from suppliers who follow climate-smart practices.

    By • Oct. 20, 2023
  • A farmer stands in front of a rice field that was planted using direct-seeding methods.
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    Courtesy of Bayer
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    Bayer aims to bring sustainable rice cultivation to 2M farmers in India

    The crop science giant is working on new products and programs to support a transition to a direct-seeded system, which can lower emissions by up to 45%.

    By • Oct. 20, 2023
  • Mushrooms are seen in a crate.
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    Kiran Ridley via Getty Images
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    Can mushroom farming address agriculture’s waste problem?

    New research from the University of Ibadan in Nigeria shows mycoremediation can clean up refuse while creating revenue streams for farmers.

    By Leah Borts-Kuperman • Oct. 19, 2023
  • An aerial image of two wind turbines in rural farmland at sunset in Southwestern Ontario, Canada
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    Getty Images via Getty Images
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    General Mills and Walmart team up to accelerate regenerative agriculture

    The companies look to advance sustainable farming practices on 600,000 acres of land – the amount the CPG giant relies on to source key ingredients for products sold at the retailer's stores. 

    By • Oct. 18, 2023