THOUGHT PIECES

By Flora Southey Does the European Commission’s ambition of achieving 25% agricultural land under organic farming risk tipping the scales of supply and demand? REPOSTED FROM FOODNAVIGATOR.COM – READ FULL ARTICLE HERE GettyImages/Zbynek Pospisil

Old and diverse crop varieties are packed full of nutrients and adapted to local environmental conditions. But since the 1900s, some 75% of plant genetic diversity has been lost with big implications for food security. REPOSTED FROM DW.COM – READ FULL ARTICLE HERE

Decades of adverse agricultural practices and chemical pesticide use have depleted the supply of natural beneficials. Beneficials are organisms that benefit the growth of crops and include insects, microorganisms, and plants. Beneficials provide pest control and pollination, and they encourage crop resilience and soil health.

The spread of COVID-19 forced the closure or curtailment of many sectors of the economy last spring and sent shockwaves through all facets of agriculture. Restaurants and other venues were shut down, and many Americans shifted their eating habits to cook-in or take-out. Agricultural supply chains were disrupted as processors scrambled to switch from foodservice… ‘I’M STILL HERE’: Agriculture breathes a sigh of relief after a year of pandemic

IAN YOUNG APRIL 1, 2021 Agricultural futures and ETFs surged Wednesday, as the CME Group’s farm reacted strongly to this morning’s USDA data dump. U.S. farmers will plant lower corn and soybean acreage than the trade expected, according to the USDA. May corn futures surged 4.64%, to move 25¢ higher to $5.64½, making an explosive… Agriculture ETFs Surge Following a Surprise USDA Report

By: Skye Root, Brent Lawson, Jim Redmond & Nikki Rogers Lots of variables go into having a successful farm, but it all starts with good soil health. It is easy to look at soil and just see some dirt. However, there is a lot happening invisible to the naked eye. Imbedded in soil are dynamic… Soil Health – Three Improvement Opportunities