News and Analysis on Global Agri-Tech Innovation, Investment and Regulation
ADM, Cargill and Mars are boosting regenerative practices in pet nutrition in the US and Europe in order to cut emissions in the value chain and create premium products for sustainability-minded consumers.
Britain’s largest dairy co-op found itself in the midst of consumer backlash over plans to trial a methane-suppressing feed additive. What went wrong?
A new report flags the growing demand for data, circular innovation and market access for precision bred commodities in the UK.
Farmers are not resistant change, says Phil Bicknell, CEO at the newly merged UK-Agri-Tech Centre. But the “three Cs” of communication, collaboration and cash are needed to help them adopt newer sustainable practices.
New research is focused on how animal nutrition strategies can enhance immune response, reduce pathogens, boost productivity, and minimize antimicrobial use in chickens, when combined with sound farm management and biosecurity practices.
A recent Swiss study has found that biochar (BC), a substance gaining popularity in agriculture for carbon storage and soil improvement, does not effectively reduce methane emissions.
Sustainability report card
The meat giant’s climate ambitions are ‘unwavering’, according to its latest sustainability report. Is it making genuine progress or just hot air?
The French poster child of the insect farming industry has filed a safeguard plan after failing to find enough financing for its expansion plans. Can it find cash from some investors?
Kiwi scientists have unveiled a new company, called Lucidome Bio, to spearhead the next phase of methane vaccine research the country.
With livestock producers across Europe braced for the impact of bluetongue, the UK has become the latest country to approve emergency vaccines. Will they stop the spread of the virus?
Agtech company Terra Vera has launched a new division to address the critical issue of declining bee populations.
Public-private joint venture AgriZeroNZ is investing a further NZD $4 million in Ruminant BioTech, to accelerate the commercialisation of a methane-inhibiting bolus specifically suited to New Zealand’s pastoral farming system.
From its work on the Carbon Reduction Project in China, Cargill is confident that by applying innovation in dairy farming, methane emission reductions and productivity enhancements can go hand in hand.
We caught up with Elanco EVP of innovation and regulatory affairs, Ellen de Brabander, to discuss the recent divesture of the animal health giant’s aqua business, its high hopes for the methane-reducing feed supplement Bovaer, and how the newly created...
An esteemed scholar has concluded that currently available mitigation strategies can substantially decrease enteric methane emissions from US dairy farms.
Halter’s virtual fencing technology has just launched in the US, where it insists it can help the beef and dairy industries become more productive and more sustainable. And despite concerns from some – but not all – welfare groups, the company’s system...
Australian company Bovotica is pioneering technology aimed at modulating the rumen microbiome to reduce methane emissions in cows while simultaneously boosting production efficiency.
The Yield Lab, an early-stage investor in sustainable AgTech, is tackling dairy sector challenges linked to emissions, manure management, land use, and water quality through a new initiative.
Why isn’t the UK government doing more to make sure agriculture’s methane emissions come down, asks the Green Alliance.
Merck Animal Health, known as MSD Animal Health outside North America, has completed its acquisition of Elanco's aqua business, a deal it claims will bolster its leadership within that sector.
406 Bovine leverages facial recognition technology to create ‘digital twins’ of cattle, enabling producers to pull up wellness, movement and treatment data by simply taking a photo of their animals’ heads.
UK supermarket Sainsbury’s claims it is the first retailer in the world to invest in new AI veterinary technology used to measure and enhance positive animal welfare on dairy farms, which could revolutionise the approach to cattle care.
As water scarcity intensifies and environmental pressures mount, smart water management is becoming essential for ensuring the sustainability and productivity of agriculture. Leveraging data, technology, and best practices can help farmers grow more with...
The Irish government is funding a project at the University of Galway to the tune of €1.4m (US$1.5m) aimed at researching greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction solutions for agriculture.
Despite being backed by a world-renowned science base, the UK's agri-tech industry grapples with significant challenges in translating its research into practical applications for end-users.
News
Sweaty cows could help solve a number of global warming related food security issues, according to new research by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS).
The funding will be put towards artificial intelligence, machine learning and other new technologies able to capture genetic traits data more efficiently.
The methane-reducing feed supplement is expected to launch commercially later this year, Elanco Animal Health Inc. has announced.
A latest ‘listening’ device detects respiratory diseases in pigs sooner.
Egg industry leaders in China have highlighted a need to develop better traceability technology to ensure cage-free eggs reaching consumers are authentic, in order for the sector to reach the next phase of development.
Japan headquartered, Meiji Holdings, a prominent player in the Asian dairy industry, and dsm-firmenich are teaming up to boost the sustainability of the Japanese dairy sector.
VC investment
PitchBook’s latest Q1 2024 Agtech Report indicates a market undergoing a correction, with the wheat being separated from the chaff. Some sectors are hotter than others, meanwhile.
science shorts
Our round-up of the latest research from institutions and universities across the globe looks at the world’s first unmanned machine designed for autonomous forestry operations, while Korean scientists have successfully developed ‘cultured beef rice’,...
Windfall Bio has secured $28m in venture capital funding from the likes of Amazon, B37 Ventures and more as part of a Series A seed round.
Singapore start-up Peptobiotics has raised US$6.2M in Series A funding to commercialise its antimicrobial peptide technology as it seeks to replace the use of antibiotics, firstly in aquaculture, and in the future in livestock.
We chat to dsm-firmenich’s Dr. Heinz Flatnitzer to find out more about financed emissions, offering life cycle assessment platform Sustell to lenders, and how dairy farmers can benefit from sustainability-linked finance.
The unknown illness that struck dairy herds in the Texas panhandle has been identified as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) as federal agencies work around the clock to contain the spread and minimize the impact to farmers.
Science continues to explore new ways to make agriculture more efficient in the modern world, taking a thorough approach to research and leaving nothing off of the table, including the impact of climate change. Here, we talk with Partha Banerjee, PhD,...
World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit Roundup
Technology accelerates more efficient, profitable and sustainable global beef production, says US-based AgBoost.
Canada’s Renaissance BioScience (RBSC) is partnering with the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) at the University of Saskatchewan on two projects aimed at boosting health and immunity in newly weaned piglets.
With over 2,500 delegates and 70+ start-ups attending World Agri-Tech from 40 countries, all eager to expand their network and forge new partnerships, this year’s event is shaping up to be a memorable event.
The Agriculture Innovation Hackathon was hosted in Mosul earlier this month, as an agriculture sector beset by desertification turns to the power of technology to overcome the challenges faced by farmers.
The tool, which is currently being tested by UK-based researchers, is the first of its kind to offer that level of detection.
From the US to Italy to Australia, feral pigs are harming agriculture across the world. A lack of solutions that exist to deal with the problem presents white space opportunities, AgTechNavigator finds.
Innovation Insider: India
India's agtech sector is witnessing significant developments driven by government policies, changing investor landscapes and a growing focus on sustainability. However, market fragmentation is dampening its ability to scale up, with challenges...
Our round-up of the latest research from institutions and universities across the globe looks at how Australian scientists are using sound to repair degraded soils. Elsewhere, Brazilian researchers have unveiled a new biodegradable sensor to detect...
AgTech Investor Profile
Agtech innovation is playing a critical role in addressing food security and environmental challenges. But it is also key to cracking the problem of an ageing farmer population threatening global agriculture, says Eatable Adventures founder and CEO José...
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has authorized the use of Bovaer, a feed supplement that can suppress methane emissions from cattle.
Fenceless farming offers a wide range of benefits for the environment, biodiversity and farmer welfare, says Norwegian company Nofence, which offers virtual fencing for grazing cattle.
BiomEdit was recently awarded Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation funding to develop a range of microbiome-based solutions to reduce methane emissions in beef and dairy cattle, whilst at the same time enhancing production efficiency. AgTechNavigator caught...