Grains

Sucking up: Ground-breaking Australian research could be a major boost for engineering climate resilient crops

20-May-2024 By Gary Scattergood

A new scientific discovery in Australia could help engineer climate resilient crops capable of ‘sucking carbon dioxide from the atmosphere’ more efficiently, and helping to produce more food in the process.

AIC promotes careers in UK animal feed sector: 'It is not all about muddy boots and tractors'

20-May-2024 By Jane Byrne

The Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) is looking to attract new talent to the UK animal feed supply chain.

China approves safety of gene-edited wheat

14-May-2024 By Gill Hyslop

The Chinese government has granted approval for the production of the country’s inaugural gene-edited wheat variety, a significant step towards the commercialization of genetically modified (GM) food crops.

What is the USDA predicting for soy and corn supplies in its pivotal May report?

13-May-2024 By Jane Byrne

Last Friday saw the US Department of Agriculture unveil its projections for global crop supply and demand in the upcoming season, specifically 2024/25.

Hatch Blue identifies 9 promising protein-rich aquafeed ingredients

07-May-2024 By Jane Byrne

A comprehensive report released by Hatch Blue sheds light on the critical need for sustainable, protein-rich aquafeed ingredients to support the booming aquaculture industry while mitigating environmental concerns.

Torrential rains threaten Rio Grande do Sul soybean harvest

06-May-2024 By Jane Byrne

Weather volatility is rattling global grain and oilseed markets.

Agri Trend Tracker: From ADM and Bunge’s regen ag growth to EIT’s new cohort of start-ups

06-May-2024 By Oliver Morrison

Our 360-degree look at the latest agtech developments from across the globe takes in the news that Bunge has announced a deal with xFarm Technologies in Brazil, while ADM has also announced that its global regenerative agriculture programme has exceeded...

The adoption problem: new tie-up hopes to incentivise farmers to produce low carbon corn

03-May-2024 By Oliver Morrison

Indigo Ag has announced a sustainable biofuels collaboration to allow farmers to benefit from clean fuel tax credit programmes.

€50m ag decarbonisation fund eyes extra income for Ukraine’s war-torn farmers

01-May-2024 By Oliver Morrison

HeavyFinance, the company raising €50 million for a private credit fund to help advance agricultural decarbonisation in Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Portugal, has announced it will lead the restoration of 300,000 hectares of Ukrainian farmland...

Beneo sees no let-up in demand for plant-based ingredients in pet food

26-Apr-2024 By Jane Byrne

Beneo highlights its vegetal proteins, derived from fava bean, wheat, or rice, as valuable assets in pet food producers’ toolboxes. Launched in June 2023, the range has seen robust performance, according to Dr Maygane Ronsmans, product manager of animal...

Is there a risk to energy and freight rates from escalating Gulf tensions?

16-Apr-2024 By Jane Byrne

The recent escalation in the Middle East conflict presents a significant risk to energy and freight rates in the medium term, with potential repercussions for agricultural markets, finds the CRM Agri Agricultural Economic report.

US soy crush market woes: ‘The current shrinking margins will test old and new plants’

10-Apr-2024 By Jane Byrne

The US soybean processing industry is grappling with a myriad of challenges, including plummeting prices, labor shortages, and regulatory complexities, warns an industry consultant.

Anatomy of a fall in global feed production

03-Apr-2024 By Jane Byrne

In a year marked by volatility, Alltech's Agri-Food Outlook for 2023 provides a comprehensive overview of the intricate dynamics shaping the feed production industry worldwide.

How will industry meet demand for 100m tons of aqua feed by 2050?

28-Mar-2024 By Jane Byrne

The scale-up of novel protein resources to deliver significant volumes of raw materials for use in aquaculture feed still requires further development, according to a recent paper.

World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit Roundup

Photosynthesis breakthrough in corn – but can a ‘new type’ of ag follow?

26-Mar-2024 By Oliver Morrison

After boosting oil and protein content in soybean with no drop in yield, US company ZeaKal has replicated its success with corn. It now wants to redefine the value proposition of crops for growers, industry, and consumers alike, it tells AgTechNavigator.

Russian grain tariffs likely to ease pain for EU farmers

25-Mar-2024 By Jane Byrne

EU curbs on Russian grain will be welcomed by EU farmers facing falling prices and poor crop conditions, says CRM Agri.

Poultry feed production surges in Great Britain despite industry uncertainty: AHDB report

22-Mar-2024 By Jane Byrne

Poultry feed production in Great Britain (GB), including integrated poultry units (IPUs), records a 3.9% growth.

Thailand considers corn import ban amid pollution concerns

21-Mar-2024 By Jane Byrne

Thailand may implement a ban on corn imports from neighboring countries associated with agricultural burning, a move aimed at curbing air pollution, an official announced on Wednesday.

Agri-commodity market tracker: Global grain prices react to escalating tensions and weather concerns

19-Mar-2024 By Jane Byrne

Wheat prices opened the week with vigor as renewed Russian assaults on Ukrainian ports heightened tensions. Damage inflicted by Russian air strikes on port infrastructure in Odesa and Mykolaiv rekindled concerns over the Black Sea conflict, despite Ukraine's...

Bayer pilots unique generative AI tool for agriculture

18-Mar-2024 By Oliver Morrison

The expert generative AI system has been trained by Bayer agronomists and proprietary data to benefit farmers, agronomic advisors, and other industry users.

ADM predicts strong recovery in animal nutrition business, boost to grain supply

12-Mar-2024 By Jane Byrne

ADM foresees a rise in global grain and oilseed supply for 2024, based on anticipated improvements in weather supporting larger production levels in key South American countries.

Navigating the complex grain marketing terrain

12-Mar-2024 By Jane Byrne

Cargill has introduced a suite of resources catering to grain farmers, encompassing market insights, pricing options, expertise, and access to farm management platforms.

Feed additive market tracker: Amino acid and vitamin prices hold steady, Chinese feed production robust

29-Feb-2024 By Jane Byrne

Despite predominant uncertainties stemming from sea freight, feed additive markets have been exhibiting reduced volatility in the pre and post Chinese New Year period compared to previous years, finds Kemiex.

Soybean markets continue to face pressure

27-Feb-2024 By Jane Byrne

Soybean markets continue to face pressure as South American supplies enter the market, coupled with lingering concerns about long-term demand.

Reports from IPPE 2024

Enhancing sustainability in supply chains: Leveraging feed solutions for collective progress

09-Feb-2024 By Jane Byrne

Speakers at a conference organized by the AFIA at IPPE 2024 provided insights into how sustainability within the feed industry fits into the broader food supply chain and provides solutions for its customers.

NGT legislation nears completion, but feed and oilseed groups raise concerns over labeling provisions

09-Feb-2024 By Jane Byrne

Progress has been achieved in advancing EU regulation concerning gene-edited plants, but there remains a need for refinement, highlight FEFAC and FEDIOL.

WASDE report: Larger-than-expected boost to US soybean stocks forecast

09-Feb-2024 By Jane Byrne

Soybean futures faced a setback following the USDA's highly anticipated monthly WASDE crop report, which revealed a larger-than-expected upgrade to its projections for US stocks in the 2023/24 season, according to insights from CRM Agri.

Pollution risk: Thai organization advocates for improved corn cultivation practices

08-Feb-2024 By Jane Byrne

In Thailand, a pressing environmental concern has emerged as animal feed-driven corn cultivation is said to be a significant contributor to toxic air pollution.

Commission announces U-turn on bill to slash pesticide use in EU

07-Feb-2024 By Jane Byrne

EU Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, has withdrawn a proposal designed to reduce the use of pesticides across the EU.

FAO intervention in Iraq brings success in animal feed and agricultural practices

02-Feb-2024 By Michelle Perrett

The transformative impact of interventions supporting Iraqi farmers is evident through the implementation of innovative animal feed crops and sustainable practices, according to Dr Salah El Hajj Hassan, the Iraqi representative of the UN Food and Agricultural...

EFSA highlights risk from ergot alkaloids in feed, microbiological hazards in production, and safety of feed detox processes

29-Jan-2024 By Jane Byrne

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recently published three feed industry related risk assessments.

MEPs support new rules for some NGT plants

25-Jan-2024 By Jane Byrne

The European Parliament’s Environment Committee has voted in favor of the new proposal on New Genomic Techniques (NGTs).

ADM stocks plunge as CFO placed on leave amidst investigation

23-Jan-2024 By Jane Byrne

ADM shares plummeted by a staggering 24%, according to media reports on Monday, following the decision to place its CFO, Vikram Luthar, on administrative leave amid an ongoing investigation into accounting practices within its nutrition business.

Navigating the agri-commodity markets: Weather brightens, yet economic and geopolitical risks persist

22-Jan-2024 By Jane Byrne

Weather conditions have improved for farmers grappling with rain in Europe and enduring drought in Brazil. However, this does not translate into smooth sailing for grain markets.

Call for feed preference over biogas use for surplus foods to enhance UK food security and reduce waste

19-Jan-2024 By Jane Byrne

The redirection of former foods towards the biogas sector, for use as a waste stream, poses a significant challenge given the competing need for enhanced UK food security, says UKFFPA.

Cultivating global markets: AFIA leveraging federal funds to expand access for US feed, pet food products

16-Jan-2024 By Jane Byrne

The USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) is allocating over $203m to support nearly 70 agricultural organizations in their efforts to expand export markets for US food and agricultural products.

Crop and feed market insights: WASDE, Brazilian weather, and soybean outlook

15-Jan-2024 By Jane Byrne

At the onset of the week, US grain prices experienced an increase, but later faced downward pressure following the release of the USDA’s World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE).

Louis Dreyfus Company and The Nature Conservancy unite in sustainable ag alliance, targeting 1.2m hectares by 2030

12-Jan-2024 By Jane Byrne

Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) have forged a partnership aimed at advancing regenerative agriculture and achieving deforestation and conversion-free production.

China steps up efforts to strengthen feed and food security

12-Jan-2024 By Jane Byrne

In late December, China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) released an update on its efforts to reduce the use of soybean meal (SBM) in animal feed.

Will fermentation tech prove a game-changer for feed industry sustainability?

11-Jan-2024 By Jane Byrne

A collaborative initiative involving academic and industry stakeholders, led by Wageningen University & Research (WUR) and Schothorst Feed Research (SFR), is aimed at enhancing the utilization of industry side streams in poultry and swine feed formulations.

Agri-commodity market tracker: What’s in store for 2024?

04-Jan-2024 By Jane Byrne

As the new year unfolds, the grain markets see a subdued start, following a year marked by notable declines in major contracts, as observed by analysts at CRM Agri.

Poultry sector poised for growth amidst lower feed costs, but bird flu threat looms

22-Dec-2023 By Jane Byrne

Global poultry industry growth will accelerate from 1.1% this year to 1.5% to 2% due to lower feed costs, finds an industry outlook.

Potential for significant disruption to UK biofuels market averted

20-Dec-2023 By Jane Byrne

The European Commission (EC) is maintaining UK biofuels’ assurance status.

Agri-commodity market focus: Attention shifts to Argentina and new president's reform initiatives

14-Dec-2023 By Jane Byrne

Soybean futures experienced a downturn in response to improved weather forecasts alleviating concerns over Brazil's crop.

Illinois grain handling facility cited for violating federal safety standards

14-Dec-2023 By Jane Byrne

Littlejohn Grain Inc, a US-based grain bin operator located in Illinois, is facing repercussions for reportedly violating federal safety standards.

EU agriculture committee calls for ban on patenting NGT-derived plants

12-Dec-2023 By Jane Byrne

On Monday this week, the EU Parliament's Agriculture Committee voted in favor of the proposal for a framework on new genomic technologies (NGTs).

Soup-To-Nuts Podcast: Perdue Farms’ embraces transparency to improve animal welfare

11-Dec-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

After Perdue Farms received unsolicited but ultimately what it characterized as “fair” criticism for its approach to animal care years ago, the protein producer began inviting annually animal welfare advocates, farmers, academics and stakeholders from...

Predictive models to manage mycotoxin outbreaks in the US

29-Nov-2023 By Jane Byrne

A paper documenting a research project that relied on algorithms to predict mycotoxin contamination of corn was published this month in Frontiers in Microbiology.

An e-nose could be a powerful tool in the feed chain for quality control and mycotoxin monitoring

29-Nov-2023 By Jane Byrne

Dr Matteo Ottoboni, from the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, at the University of Milan, presented on the application of electronic noses for feed safety and animal nutrition at the World Mycotoxin Forum in Antwerp in Belgium last...