January, 2025

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Stay ahead of resistant weeds with herbicide layering

Real Agriculture

Weeds are a constant challenge for farmers, but when they develop resistance to herbicides, the stakes get even higher. For years, the go-to advice was to rotate herbicide groups or mix different modes of action in a single application. While those can still be valuable strategies, this latest approach is making a difference: herbicide layering. Read More Weeds are a constant challenge for farmers, but when they develop resistance to herbicides, the stakes get even higher.

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“Huge missed opportunity”: Wheat Growers’ chair blasts $300 million OFCAF announcement

Real Agriculture

The Canadian governments plan to inject another $300 million into its On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) over the next three years is drawing sharp criticism from the chair of the Wheat Growers Association. On Tuesday, Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay formally announced the commitment to continue paying farmers an incentive to implement on-farm practices around cover Read More The Canadian governments plan to inject another $300 million into its On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) over th

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Ruminating with RealAg, Ep 15: Cover crops, winter feeding, and trying new things

Real Agriculture

Cover crops are all the not-quite-so-new rage and the process of integrating them into current agricultural systems has been gaining ground (pun intended). Seeding multiple species in a field can do some fantastic things for the land, such as enhance water holding capacity, improve soil biodiversity, provide added resistance to pests and disease, and improve Read More Cover crops are all the not-quite-so-new rage and the process of integrating them into current agricultural systems has been gain

Crop 306
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The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture sets its federal policy focus for 2025

NASDA

Press Release ARLINGTON, Va. NASDAs members-led Board of Directors chose five issues to serve as the organizations primary policy focus for 2025. They include the farm bill , food systems , pesticide regulations , PFAS and state cooperative agreement funding. NASDA CEO Ted McKinney remarked on the significance of these issues for 2025. NASDA members have specified these areas as necessary to work on to best support farmers, ranchers and communities nationwide, said McKinney.

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FDA’s Front-of-Package nutrtion label: Open for public comment

Food Politics

With much fanfare, the FDA released its proposed rule for a new front-of-package summary of the Nutrition Facts panel. Ive written about the history of this previously. Of all the options tested ( Food Fix had the best summary ), the FDA picked this onenot my first choice. Why not? I dont think its much of an improvement over this one, produced by industry to head off something that might be more useful.

Food 246
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Brainfood: Diversity patterns double, Diversification drivers, Polish genetic erosion, Tibetan naked barley diversity, Indian sorghum diversity, Do novo domestication, Eggplant tree, Banana diversity, Pearl millet diversity, Pigeon pea genome, Grasspea genome, Jersey bull diversity

Agricultural Biodiversity

Floristic classifications and bioregionalizations are not predictors of intra-specific evolutionary patterns. You can’t use spatial structures in interspecific diversity to predict spatial structure in instraspecific diversity. Gotta do the hard work, there are no shortcuts. Intraspecific trait variability in wild plant populations predicts neither variability nor performance in a common garden.

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Growing Corn in the Desert, No Irrigation Required

Civil Eats

This story originally appeared on Reasons to Be Chee rful , and is reprinted here with permission. When Michael Kotutwa Johnson goes out to the acreage behind his stone house to harvest his corn, his fields look vastly different from the endless rows you see in much of rural North America. Bundled in groups of five or six, his corn stalks shoot out of the sandy desert in bunches, resembling bushels rather than tightly spaced rows.

Seeding 140

More Trending

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Ingredion ceasing operations at Saskatchewan pea protein processing facility

Real Agriculture

Ingredion Incorporated says it is ceasing operations at its pulse crop processing facility at Vanscoy, Saskatchewan, as of this week. The facility, which Ingredion acquired with its takeover of Verdient Foods Inc. in 2020, produces protein concentrates and flours from peas, lentils, and faba beans. In a Jan. 6, 2025 filing with the U.S. Securities Read More Ingredion Incorporated says it is ceasing operations at its pulse crop processing facility at Vanscoy, Saskatchewan, as of this week.

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Arkansas Department of Agriculture Hiring Marketing and Communications Director

NASDA

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is seeking applicants for its Agriculture Director of Marketing. The Agriculture Director of Marketing is responsible for the agency’s overall marketing and strategic planning programs, corporate communication and facilitating client development through marketing and client service programs. This position is governed by state and federal laws and agency/institution policy.

Marketing 264
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Catching up with (but hopefully not catching) bird flu

Food Politics

Its a big worry. From the Cleveland Clinic: Bird flu (avian influenza) Bird flu (avian influenza) is an infection from a type of influenza (flu) virus that usually spreads in birds and other animals. Sometimes, humans can get bird flu from infected animals. Like the versions of flu that people usually get, bird flu can make you severely ill. It has infected and, in the case of dairy herds and poultry flocks, mass culling: Wild birds Domestic Chickens Domestic Turkeys Domestic Ducks Dairy cattle

Poultry 187
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Nibbles: KC Bansal, Mike Jackson, Spain strawberry genebank, Ho-Chunk maize, Heritage varieties, Romman apples, Hazelnut breeding, Old rye, Serbia grapevine herbarium, Horse domestication, Mt Vernon fruits, Worldwide Day of Botanical Art, Pre-colonial African agriculture

Agricultural Biodiversity

Prof. KC Bansal , who used to run the Indian national genebank, gets a much-deserved UNESCO honour. Friend-of-the-blog Dr Mike Jackson on running a rice genebank. UNESCO honour for him too? Spain’s strawberry genebank gets its 15 minutes. University and Native American nation collaborate on regenerating heritage corn varieties. The pros and cons of heritage varieties , according to an American farmer.

Maize 202
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In LA’s Altadena Neighborhood, Community Food Solutions Feed Wildfire Recovery

Civil Eats

In Los Angeles, the Palisades and Eaton fires that have burned for the past two weeks are among the deadliest and most destructive in California history, exacerbated by climate change. As of publication, the Palisades Fire is 63 percent contained while Eaton, in the suburb of Altadena, is 89 percent contained. Together theyve burned nearly 40,000 acres of urban Los Angeles.

Food 144
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Could this fundamental discovery revolutionise fertiliser use in farming?

Agri-tech

Researchers have discovered a biological mechanism that makes plant roots more welcoming to beneficial soil microbes. This discovery by John Innes Centre researchers paves the way for more environmentally-friendly farming practices, potentially allowing farmers to use less fertiliser. Production of most major crops relies on nitrate and phosphate fertilisers, but excessive fertiliser use harms the.

Mechanics 144
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Peavey Mart facing uncertain future

Real Agriculture

One of Canadas largest retailers of farm and ranch supplies is facing an uncertain future. Peavey Industries announced the closure of 22 Peavey Mart locations in Ontario and Nova Scotia last week. The company has not publicly confirmed closures elsewhere, but there are multiple online outlets now reporting over 90 Peavey Mart stores across the Read More One of Canadas largest retailers of farm and ranch supplies is facing an uncertain future.

Ranching 306
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A New Path to Sustainable Farming: An Agrarian Commons Model

Food Tank

Agrarian Trust, a national nonprofit in the United States, is taking a commons-based approach to help ensure that a new generation of farmers can access farm land. The organization is working within communities to facilitate local land access and support strong local food systems. According to Agrarian Trust, more than 40 percent of U.S. farmland will change hands over the next 15 years.

Farmland 111
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Industry-funded study of the week: animal v. plant proteins

Food Politics

In its scientific report , the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee recommends substituting plant proteins for animal proteins. The Committee recommends that the proposed Eat Healthy Your Way Dietary Pattern emphasizes dietary intakes of beans, peas, and lentils while reducing intakes of red and processed meats.The Committee also proposes reorganizing the order of the Protein Foods Group to list Beans, Peas, and Lentils first, followed by Nuts, Seeds, and Soy products, then Seafood, a

Food 133
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Nibbles: China grasslands, Edible lily, Ag data, China potatoes, CIP genebank, Vavilov book, Ghana seeds, Nutrition enterprises, Seed production films, Khoury pod, Relais & Châteaux

Agricultural Biodiversity

China rehabilitates its grasslands. Not content with that, China breeds a new edible lily. Not sure what food group lilies are in, but farmers are growing more fruits and vegetables , it seems. Still not resting on its lilies, China breeds climate-smart potatoes. No doubt CIP and its genebank is helping with that. There’s a new book on Vavilov and his genebank.

Seeding 203
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Understanding the Connection Between Soil Fungi and Orchard Health

UnderstandingAg

The soil food web that will point the way to many orchard answers quite generously includes us humans within this symbiosis of place. – Michael Phillips, The Apple Grower Understanding the Connection Between Soil Fungi and Orchard Health By Chuck Schembre, Understanding Ag, LLC All orchard crops fruit trees, nut crops, grapes and berries are perennial plants which have developed a strong symbiotic relationship with fungal life, both in the soil and the plant canopy.

Orchard 112
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AgriTech Careers for a Sustainable Future

Agri-tech

With a changing climate and rising population, improvements to sustainable agriculture are vital to ensuring global food security for the future. Do you have the interest, ability and passion to be part of this pioneering work? AgriTech combines science, technology and engineering to generate innovative ideas to help solve agricultural problems. Find out more about the exciting world of AgriTech.

Science 126
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Farm groups say Bunge-Viterra approval fails farmers

Real Agriculture

Farm groups are voicing frustration and disappointment with outgoing Transport Minister Anita Anands decision this week to approve the acquisition of Viterra by Bunge. The conditions laid out in the order-in-council are woefully inadequate, according to Grain Growers of Canada, the umbrella organization for 14 national, provincial, and regional crop producer organizations.

Farming 336
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New USDA-ERS Report Highlights Diversity and Trends in U.S. Agriculture

NASDA

News Article The U.S. Department of Agricultures Economic Research Service recently released Americas Farms and Ranches at a Glance , based on the latest Agricultural Resource Management Survey data. The report provides an overview of U.S. farm and ranch diversity, including farm income, operators’ main jobs and farm ownership. It also introduces new sections on farmers unpriced inventory and the use of precision agriculture technologies.

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RISK ADJUSTED FACTOR SCORE

The Lunatic Farmer

This weekend I had a fantastic long conversation with a surgeon who is working with several clinics to secure land and create a comprehensive wellness-oriented medical facility in Virginia. Can't tell you more than that. The reason I'm in the mix is they want to offer a clean food dispensary (this is medical, so you can't call it a grocery store) on site so patients can find and acquire real food as part of a doctor's visit.

Food 111
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The Alcohol Saga continues

Food Politics

So much is happening on the alcohol frontier these days that it is getting hard to keep up. Lets start with the multiplicity of reports on alcohol and health arriving one after another. Ive written about the NASEM and Surgeon Generals reports recently. Ive also written recently about their implications for the forthcoming Dietary Guidelines. I. The ICCPUD report.

Beverage 140
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Rounding up the breadfruit

Agricultural Biodiversity

Jeremy’s latest Eat This Newsletter has a piece on Dumbarton Oaks’ Plant of the Month feature on breadfruit. And much else besides. Do have a look. In contrast to Jeremy, I myself have knowingly eaten breadfruit, in various forms. It makes pretty good chips. I’ve also blogged about it here — a lot. Breadfruits Bounty Dumbarton Oaks is a beautiful building, museum, library and garden in Washington DC and I have often linked to its Plant of the Month features.

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Michigan CSA Program Brings Local Food to SNAP Families

Food Tank

The nonprofit Michigan Fitness Foundation (MFF) is working to connect families in Michigan facing food insecurity with local farms, strengthen local food systems and build community. Through their Michigan Farm to Family: CSA (MF2FCSA) program, participants enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can access CSAs at a reduced price.

Food 98
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Profitable Practices: Corn, covers, and cows

Real Agriculture

Grazing corn is becoming increasingly more common. So is grazing cover crops. But what happens when you put the two together? How wide should the corn rows be in order to make space for the cover crop? And is this a profitable way of farming? Byron Long of Long Family Farm at Barrhead County, Alberta Read More Grazing corn is becoming increasingly more common.

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Top 10 Farming Redefined Stories of 2024

Modern Farmer

There’s a lot going on in farming these days. Some farmers are looking at succession plans, trying to figure out who will take over the family business. Others are looking to transition away from factory farming, and still others are looking at bringing on new technology or systems to help them be more efficient. This year, we explored what farming means to people across the US and the world, and brought you stories of truly modern farmers.

Farming 115
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CRUCIFYING RFK JR.

The Lunatic Farmer

I admit it: I'm mesmerized by the confirmation hearings of RFK Jr. to Secretary of Health and Human Services, a cabinet level position. I haven't watched every minute, but I've seen enough to make some judgments. They mesh perfectly with my own treatment at the hands of Democrats in Congress when I testified a year ago on the meat processing oligarchy.

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Introducing the 2025 California Farm Champions!

Caff

Every year, our community honors individuals, farms, and businesses who are making a positive difference in California. Selected from nominations from all over the state, these inspirational change-makers are blazing trails for regenerative agriculture, strengthening our local food systems, and working tirelessly to grow a healthier and more just future for us all.

Farming 105
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CIMMYT visit celebrates strategic scientific partnership

Agri-tech

Senior representatives from CIMMYT visited the John Innes Centre on 6th January 2025 to discuss current and future collaboration opportunities. CIMMYT is a cutting edge, non-profit, international organization dedicated to fostering improved quantity, quality, and dependability of production systems and basic cereals such as maize, wheat, triticale, sorghum, millets, and associated crops.

Maize 133
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New People and Plants Video Series Showcases Traditional Foodways

Food Tank

People and Plants International, through its network of partners, is producing a series of traditional foodways videos as part of its Knowledge Exchange and Traditional Foodways programs. Partners in Cameroon, Canada, Ecuador, Indonesia, Mexico, Namibia, the Philippines, South Africa, and the United States document and strengthen traditional food systems through a variety of approaches including community forest and non-timber forest products, seed exchanges and festivals, videos, manuals, food

Food 105
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Canadian grain industry welcomes ruling against Mexico’s restrictions on GM corn

Real Agriculture

The national umbrella organization representing Canadas grain, oilseed, pulse and special crop industries is welcoming the North American trade dispute panel ruling against Mexicos restrictions on genetically-modified (GM) corn. The dispute revolves around Mexicos February 2023 presidential corn decree to ban the use of GM corn in dough and tortillas, and to gradually eliminate the Read More The national umbrella organization representing Canadas grain, oilseed, pulse and special crop industries

Grain 273
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House Agriculture Leaders Say Farm Bill Is Top Priority This Year, but Path Remains Rocky

Civil Eats

This committees number one priority for this Congress will be the passage of a bipartisan, five-year Farm Bill, said G.T. Thompson (R-Pennsylvania), the chair of the House Agriculture Committee, at an organizing meeting held yesterday to kick off the committees work in the 119th Congress. In her opening remarks, top Democrat Angie Craig (D-Minnesota), echoed the sentiment but pointed to roadblocks ahead.

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"WE WILL FAIL YOU"

The Lunatic Farmer

I just walked in the door from speaking at a homeschool co-op in Bumpass, Virginia and hearing the most unbelievable story that must be shouted from the rooftops. A middle-aged farmer told me his 18-year-old go-getter entrepreneurial son in 2022 wanted to install a slaughterhouse. This family has a serious farming operation and the son spearheads a deer processing facility on their property.

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Complete Practical Guide on Organic Almond Farming

Agric4profits

Organic Almond farming focuses on cultivating almonds without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. It promotes a sustainable, eco-friendly approach to almond production, emphasizing soil health, biodiversity, and environmental stewardship. Organic Almond farming supports natural ecosystems by using practices that protect soil fertility and prevent contamination of water and air.

Farming 103
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Nibbles: USDA NPGS, Korean seed museum, Endangered plants, National security, Sicilian grapevines, Mike Jackson again

Agricultural Biodiversity

A way to get free seeds from the US government? Yeah probably not. And if so, maybe not for long? Ok, let’s try the Korean government then. A way to find endangered plants in the US. And get the government to protect them, of course. A way to ensure national security ? Why, conserving crop diversity of course. Government unavailable for comment.

Seeding 122
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Zero Foodprint’s Bold Plan: Turning the U.S. Food System into a Climate Solution

Food Tank

Zero Foodprint, a nonprofit dedicated to mobilizing resources for regenerative agriculture, is calling for a transformative shift in how the United States food system funds sustainable practices. In a recent paper , they argue for a new economic model of collective action to directly support regenerative farming and combat the climate crisis. I think our survival depends on the transition of at least 50 percent of agricultural lands for the sake of resilience and water and climate and biodiversi

Food 104