March 2, 2024

Spotlight Stories

Spotlight 1 – GreenBiz takes a look at how PepsiCo and ADM work with farmers to cut agricultural emissions. Check out the story, here.

Spotlight 2 – Michigan State University publishes a fascinating report on soil microbial community dynamics across Michigan farms. Check it out, here.

Spotlight 3 – Nebraska Public Media discovers how one Nebraska farm is using worms to improve soil health. Check out the story, here.

Industry Updates

The Belize Ministry of Agriculture and the University of Belize recently hosted a 2-day training for technical officers focused on regenerative cattle production. The primary objective is the establishment of a model farm under silvopastoral systems, serving as a showcase for sustainable practices. The University of Belize is at the forefront of coordinating this phase, actively collecting data to validate the efficacy of silvopastoral systems in cattle production. [link]

The Ontario and Yates County Soil and Water Conservation Districts in New York State have partnered with the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Association to hold a 2024 Soil Health Workshop focused on soil improvement, crop and livestock management, and water cleanliness on February 27th at the Benton Fire Hall, Penn Yan, NY. This year’s workshop features keynote speaker Eric Fuchs from Understanding Ag, a recognized authority in regenerative agriculture. Fuchs, with his dual expertise as a diversified livestock operator and a source water protection technician, will provide valuable insights into how soil health is intrinsically linked to community water protection efforts. [link]

A new and innovative approach utilized by soil scientists from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences has helped turn huge swathes of salty soil into fertile farmlands. The experiments were attempted in the Wuyuan county region in the Inner Mongolia region of China. A team of soil scientists used crop stalks of lengths varying between two to six inches (5-15 cm) and buried them flat into the soil at a depth of about one foot (30-40 cm). The ground above was then covered with a plastic sheet to help retain moisture. The crop stalks prevented salts from rising to the surface, reducing the soil’s salt content by as much as 36 percent on average, and creating a 30.5 percent increase in yield. According to estimates from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), as much as nine percent of Earth’s landmass is salinized and unsuitable for agriculture in its present form. [link]

Researcher MarketsandMarkets says that the beneficial insects market - comprising the production and distribution of insects like ladybugs, lacewings, mites and wasps for agricultural purposes - is projected to reach $1.63 billion by 2028 compared to $877 million in 2023. Beneficial insects help to control pests in agricultural crops through biological control methods. This market has grown in significance due to increasing interest in sustainable agriculture and organic farming practices, which aim to reduce reliance on chemical pesticides. Beneficial insects offer a natural and environmentally friendly alternative for pest management, contributing to healthier ecosystems and reducing the environmental impact of agriculture. [link]

RegenFarmCo will work with the Swinto Estate in North Yorkshire, England to create innovative upcycling and agroforestry projects across its 20,000 acres. The cultivation of crops on the same land as trees has numerous environmental benefits, as well as providing habitats for birds, insects and other wildlife. The partnership will also see RegenFarmCo and Swinton Estate working with others to share the knowledge acquired from the implementation of regenerative farming, through knowledge exchanges, training opportunities and encouraging others to get involved. [link]

As spring nears, Iowa farmers are starting to worry about moisture levels based on the latest U.S. Drought Monitor map that shows almost a fifth of the state in extreme drought, with more than half of Iowa in severe drought. Even with several heavy snows in January, February is wrapping up warmer and drier than normal, which is worrisome for farmers. Forecasters say there’s a chance for a mix of rain and snow, but it likely won’t be significant enough to make a dent in the drought. March 19 is the first day of spring. [link]

What began as a group of Byron, Minnesota farmers looking for ways to make their farmland more sustainable has turned into a multimillion dollar county soil health initiative that now goes by the Byron Area Farmers Soil Health Group. The group of farmers have plotted together and implemented conservation practices which evolved into them creating a marketing group for food-grade oats in 2020. Recently, the Byron group held an open forum outside Rochester to discuss water quality in the area. The Byron Area Farmers Soil Health Group is responsible for helping to lay the groundwork for Olmsted County's $5 million groundwater protection and soil health initiative, after county commissioners began looking for solutions to nitrate contamination in the water. [link]

The European Parliament has approved a Nature Restoration Law by a margin of 54 votes. Under the law, member states will have two years to plan how they will restore 20% of the EU's land and sea areas by 2030 and all ecosystems by 2050. Although binding, there are exemptions for member states along with an emergency brake facility, whereby the targets for agricultural ecosystems can be temporarily suspended under exceptional circumstances. According to the European Commission, over 80% of Europe's natural habitats are in poor health. [link]

Simplot Grower Solutions and Innvictis BioScience have introduced a product designed to maximize the utilization of the nutrients found in crop residue. Evaness is a unique blend of nutrients and enzymes that will accelerate the breakdown of crop residues and increase the availability of nutrients contained in the residue left in the field. [link]

This week, Canada's Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food announced funding of $3.1 million to the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute (CAPI) under the AgriAssurance Program - National Industry Association Component. This funding will be used to make improvements to the National Index on Agri-Food Performance, which acts as a point of reference for companies to declare the sustainability of their practices. CAPI will use the funding to include more partners in refining the tool, fix missing information, and create an upgraded version of the Index. The Index looks at how sustainable Canada's farming and food sector is from food production to retail, covering things like how it affects the environment, the quality of food, and how it helps the economy and society. [link]

Unilever has launched its first regenerative agriculture program in the UK, in a bid to support farms producing mustard seeds and mint leaves for its Colman's condiments. The project will initially trial regenerative agriculture practices at mustard and mint farms around Norwich and Peterborough over the next four years, including some farms which have supplied Colman's for more than 200 years. The projects will see the food giant work with farmers to use low carbon fertilizer, adopt improved crop nutrition strategies, plant cover and companion crops to reduce pesticides use, and install new digital water irrigation scheduling systems. [link]

Researchers at Robert Gordon University in Scotland are contributing to a new study to find out how the UK can expand its trees, hedgerows, woodlands and forests in rural and urban settings. The researchers want to find out more about the social and ecological implications of agroforestry – which is the growing of trees alongside crop and livestock farming on the same land – in rural areas and surrounding towns and cities in the UK. The UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) body has commissioned research to improve its understanding of treescapes in the UK, and their value to people and the planet, and has committed £14.5 million funding to support the studies. [link]

The Soil & Climate Health Initiative (SCI) is launching a new regenerative agriculture label in the U.S., representing a "holistic, science-based commitment to farming systems." The SCI verified label will debut on PACHA bread loaves and Root Chips potato chip products nationwide before more products sporting the label hit grocery stores over the next 12 months. The verification process includes farms demonstrating that they have completed baseline soil tests, developed a three-year farm plan, and provided evidence of implementation of sufficient regenerative practices to meet minimum requirements. [link]

The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) has been selected as the primary recipient of a four-year, $935,000 grant from the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to establish the Coalition for Regenerative Ecologies and Agriculture (CREA). This coalition, co-located in San Antonio and in Veracruz, Mexico, will train at least 40 undergraduate and graduate students for a wide range of leadership-track careers in regenerative agriculture by developing their skills in global-resource management, community-engaged research and transcultural literacy. [link]

Bayer has announced several enhancements to its Bayer Carbon Program that provide all-new opportunities for more U.S. farmers to earn incentives for implementing regenerative agriculture practices that sequester carbon while promoting soil health. Updates include additional geographies of eligibility, a new Nitrogen Management Program, an expanded list of covered cash crops, historical payments, and more. Unlike some other carbon-based sustainability programs that incentivize farmers, the Bayer Carbon Program bases revenue potential on the practices performed, instead of how many tons of carbon are captured. Farmers who enroll eligible fields, perform their selected regenerative agriculture practices and pass practice verification, have the potential to earn an annual payment of up to $12 per acre. If a farmer participates in the Nitrogen Management Program, that payment could be as high as $16 per acre in years when the enrolled field is planted with corn. Depending on when the selected practices were adopted, farmers could also receive a one-time historical practices payment of up to $48 per acre for implementing cover crops and select reduced tillage practices beginning on or after August 1, 2019. [link]

New York Attorney General, Letitia James, filed a lawsuit against giant meat producer, JBS, accusing the company of making misleading claims about its greenhouse gas emission goals to boost sales among environmentally conscious consumers. The lawsuit filed in a state court in New York City alleges that the company claimed it will achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 despite having no viable plan to meet that commitment. The lawsuit names as defendants JBS USA Food Company and JBS USA Food Company Holdings, the American subsidiary of the world-leading producer of beef products based in Brazil. [link]

The agriculture ministry in Japan has begun an initiative to label rice and vegetables that contribute to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and preserve biodiversity during their production. The labels will be prominently featured on product packaging and posters, serving as a visual cue for environmental efforts and aiming to enhance consumer awareness toward fostering a sustainable food system. The label denotes a grade from 1 to 3, represented by stars, reflecting the magnitude of reduction achieved. Higher reduction efforts are granted a greater number of stars. [link]

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that it is establishing a new office to expand engagement opportunities with agricultural and rural communities. The creation of the first-ever EPA Office of Agriculture and Rural Affairs represents the Biden-Harris Administration’s ongoing commitment to improving environmental stewardship and economic opportunity for America’s farmers and ranchers, as well as strengthening the vitality of small towns and rural communities. In close coordination with EPA’s program offices and regions, the office will forge practical, science-based solutions that protect the environment while ensuring a vibrant and productive agricultural system. Additionally, the new office will facilitate closer coordination with relevant federal and state partners such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and state departments of agriculture. [link]

In Case You Missed It…

In late January, Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary, Russell Reading, announced $2.2 million in funding for research proposals on issues critical to sustaining and growing the state’s $132.5 billion agriculture industry. Read more, here.