December 16, 2023
Spotlight Stories
Spotlight 1 – The New York Times writes that the UN’s annual climate gathering has finally started to focus on greenhouse gas emissions from the global food sector. Check out the story, here.
Spotlight 2 – The FAO’s new food security roadmap to keep 1.5C alive. Check it out, in full, here.
Industry Updates
Missouri livestock producers may be eligible for new financial incentives for incorporating climate-smart grazing practices. Enrollment for currently available climate-smart grazing incentives runs through Jan. 31, 2024, according to the University of Missouri’s Center for Regenerative Agriculture. Farmers enrolled in the regenerative grazing program receive $50 per acre for implementing a management-intensive grazing plan on the enrolled pastures. The plan needs to be in writing and can be done in conjunction with attending an MU grazing school or from having participated in one in recent years. [link]
A new roadmap has been developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in an attempt to attain global food security by 2050 without breaching the global warming temperature target of 1.5C. The roadmap identifies “ten pivotal domains” which call for immediate “mobilized climate finance.” These include, food loss and waste, forest and wetlands, soil and water, fisheries and aquaculture, crops, clean energy, livestock, and enabling healthy diets for all, as well as “systemic enablers” such as data and inclusive policies. The FAO has set a list of targets for each of these areas which address food security and climate change. [link]
The Soil Health Institute (SHI) announced the release of a free phone application, Slakes, to empower and engage citizens around the world to measure aggregate stability: one of the most common indicators of soil health. Soils with greater aggregate stability are more resistant to wind and water erosion, and are linked to improved water capture, infiltration, and storage, contributing to improved water management and agricultural productivity. The Slakes app uses a smartphone camera to take a picture of three dry soil aggregates before and after exposing them to water for 10 minutes. The app then automatically calculates an aggregate stability value. Weaker aggregates will slake (or break apart) more easily, while stronger aggregates will slake less, indicating better soil aggregation and healthier soil. [link]
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Agriculture Future of America (AFA), formalizing a partnership to promote the common goals of strengthening the future competitiveness and sustainability of the U.S. agriculture industry by preparing more young people for careers in agriculture. USDA and AFA will continue to collaborate on leadership development efforts and link these young leaders with career opportunities in food, agricultural science, natural resources, and related fields. Under the MOU, USDA commits to advancing opportunities for AFA delegates to participate in USDA programs, including internships. AFA will provide occasions for USDA to meet with AFA delegates to share information about these opportunities. [link]
Chipotle Mexican Grill announced that it is making minority investments through its $50 million Cultivate Next venture fund into Greenfield Robotics and Nitricity. Greenfield Robotics aims to make regenerative farming more efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable by leveraging the latest advances in AI, robotics, and sensing technologies, while Nitricity is creating fertilizer products that are better for fields, farmers, and the environment. Cultivate Next makes early stage investments into strategically aligned companies that further Chipotle’s mission to Cultivate a Better World and help accelerate the company’s aggressive growth plans. [link]
Yara announced that it is acquiring the organic-based fertilizer business of Agribios Italiana, the company’s second bolt-on acquisition supporting its organic strategy in Europe. The company noted that it is committed to further expanding its offering in this sector as a complement to its mineral fertilizers to help promote regenerative agriculture and improve soil health. Agribios produced 60,000 metric tons of fertilizer in 2022, giving it a market share of 10% of the organic-based fertilizer market in Italy. The organic fertilizer market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11.5% in Europe from 2023 to 2030. [link]
A new report by FoodDrinkEurope (FDE) suggests that soil health should act as the key performance indicator measuring the EU’s successful transition to sustainable agriculture. Soil health acts as a common and measurable theme across agriculture, with the FDE report noting that soil is directly or indirectly responsible for 95% of the food produced in the EU. The study found that it will cost around €30 billion [US$32.3 billion] to transition to more sustainable agriculture in the EU, however this pales in significance to the consideration that soil degradation in Europe costs €50 billion [US$53.9 billion] a year due to its impact on things like food production, nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration and water retention. [link]
Oklahoma farmers are now encouraged to apply to a special program to help improve the health of their soil. The state is heading an initiative through the Oklahoma Conservation Commission to look for people wanting to change their farming practices from traditional methods to those that are more focused on soil health. Through the Soil Health Implementation Program, the Commission plans to collect baseline soil health data while also offering a 3-year mentorship program to help find solutions for interested farmers. Farmers selected will be given funding of up to $40,000 to help them with their new practices. The full program totals $1 million. [link]
An ancient soil amendment – biochar – could be a promising tool for future soil health enhancement and maintenance, according to a study by the Texas A&M Department of Horticultural Sciences. The research showed biochar improved the soil microbiome and plant root interactions with a spectrum of beneficial microorganisms found there. [link]
A new study in the journal Nature has found that tree size diversity is the major driver of aboveground carbon storage in dryland agroforestry parklands. The research team assessed the direct and indirect influence of human management, abiotic factors, and species diversity on aboveground carbon (AGC) stocks in 51 parklands in drylands of Benin and found that structural diversity (tree size diversity) had the strongest relationship with AGC stocks, followed by community-weighted mean of maximum height. [link]
The Savanna Institute and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have joined forces to establish a statewide agroforestry demonstration farm network in Wisconsin. This initiative aims to educate farmers and landowners on the benefits of integrating trees into their agricultural practices for both conservation and economic gains. Through a cooperative agreement with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), a $1.4 million investment will be made to develop demonstration sites and educational resources across Wisconsin. [link]
In Case You Missed It…
In late November, scientists from Cornell University and Purdue University announced that they have identified a previously undiscovered mechanism triggered by calcium when it’s added to soil, positively benefitting microbial communities underground. Check out the story, here.