Agriculture

As governor of Georgia, Sonny Perduegained experience of managing a big farm state

Perdue confirmed as US agriculture secretary

By Oscar Rousseau

America’s meat trade has reacted warmly to news that Donald Trump’s pick for agriculture secretary, Sonny Perdue, has finally been confirmed by the US senate. 

General Mills invests in organic to boost sales, ‘do the right thing’

General Mills invests in organic to boost sales, ‘do the right thing’

By Elizabeth Crawford

General Mills’ splashy commitment last year to double the number of organic acres it sources from by 2019 not only is a strategic business move to boost sales, but part of a larger effort to “do the right thing,” according to the company’s organic ambassador. 

© iStock/Klenova

Mediterranean diet faces triple threat: FAO

By Niamh Michail

The Mediterranean diet is being undermined by climate change, a misuse of natural resources and a brain drain which are damaging the social fabric of rural communities, according to a new book by the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

Memphis Meats hopes to raise awareness of its new meat products

Memphis Meats launches crowdfunding campaign

By Aidan Fortune

‘Clean meat’ producer Memphis Meats has launched a community-building campaign to help extend awareness about its mission to “build a better meat”.

Hurricane Matthew flooded and devastated poultry and hog farms in North Carolina

Perdue Farms responds to water pollution call

By Rod Addy

Poultry giant Perdue Farms has responded to pressure on several leading US meat firms to tighten focus on water use, highlighting the actions it has already taken on the issue.

Joyce Farms is turning heads with its de-industrialised meat processing plans

Wholesaler Joyce Farms expands meat plant

By Oscar Rousseau

US meat wholesaler Joyce Farms has announced plans to build another warehouse and chicken hatchery as demand rises for its premium food.

Soup-To-Nuts podcast: What is old is new again

Soup-To-Nuts Podcast

Soup-To-Nuts podcast: What is old is new again

By Elizabeth Crawford

Trends may come and go, but they often don't stay gone forever -- rather most eventually cycle back in vogue, as is the case with the current focus on “ancient wisdom,” and time-tested, traditional cooking techniques and ingredients that are influencing...

Soylent:

Soylent: 'Proudly Made with GMOs'

By Elaine Watson

It’s a bold move given how highly-charged – and extremely polarized - the debate has become, but Los Angeles-based start-up Soylent has weighed into the conversation over genetically engineered food crops with a blog post entitled: 'Soylent: Proudly...

USDA said it hopes the investment will

US pumps cash into sustainable livestock research

By Oscar Rousseau

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has made $16m (£11m) available through a series of grants to fund research into advancing methods of sustainable livestock production.

Vilsack will arrive at Niigata, Japan on Thursday 21 April for the G7 summit on food security

USDA secretary on diplomatic mission to Japan and Vietnam

By Oscar Rousseau

Tom Vilsack, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) secretary, has led a diplomatic mission to Japan and Vietnam to underscore the significance of bilateral trade, which includes reducing tariffs on meat.

The rule aims to clarify indoor and outdoor space requirements for organic meat

USDA plans to tighten organic meat policy

By Oscar Rousseau

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) will make regulatory changes to organic meat and poultry practices, to ensure there’s a national standard to which high-welfare livestock producers adhere.

The USDA will invest in nanoscale science and technology to improve pathogen monitoring

US invests in nanotechnology for food safety

By Oscar Rousseau

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced plans to pump millions into researching ways nanotechnology can be used to improve food safety.

©iStock

DISPATCHES FROM FOOD VISION 2016

‘Demand-creation’ business model key to sustainability

By Will Chu

How to create a new high-value, sustainable business model for African ingredients? By focusing on demand-creation first, production second and engagement with communities, says the founder of baobab start-up Aduna. 

Local food movement spawns new advocacy group

Local food movement spawns new advocacy group

By Hank Schultz

Wresting local control of the food supply is an idea that continues to spawn advocacy groups.  The latest, called Local Food Shift, has cropped up in Colorado with the goal to launch a magazine as a way to spread the message and influence policy.

Pope Francis weighs into the GMO debate

Pope Francis weighs into the GMO debate

By Elaine Watson

Pope Francis has weighed into the debate over GM crops, arguing that while he doesn’t believe there is any “conclusive proof that GM cereals are harmful to human beings”, he worries about their effects on the ecosystem, and argues that they have resulted...

Premium price of organic more than compensates yield loss

Premium price of organic more than compensates for yield loss

By Elizabeth Crawford

New research showing organic agriculture is significantly more profitable than conventional should reassure farmers who are considering switching to organic but are nervous about financial loss during the three year transition in which they will have...

NurturMe angles for pole-position in quinoa-based baby food category

NurturMe angles for pole-position in quinoa-based baby food category

By Elizabeth Crawford

A $1.5 million investment from EcoEnterprises Fund will enable NurturMe to expand its line of quinoa-based children's food as well as its social mission as a B-Corporation to improve sustainable agriculture in South America, a company executive said. 

Food prices are likely to stay under downward pressure due to large supplies and a strong US dollar, the FAO says

FAO: Global food import costs to hit five-year low

By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Global food import costs are set to reach their lowest level in five years during 2015, even as volumes remain the same or rise slightly, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

Organic farming tends to have lower crop yields than conventional farming - but it is also less reliant on non-renewable inputs

Can organic feed the world?

By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Organic crops generally have lower yields than conventional crops – but that’s not the only way to measure their potential to feed the world.

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