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Since the dawn of agro-ecosystems nearly 10,000 years ago, farmers have had to compete with other organisms — namely insect pests, pathogens, weeds and wildlife— to ensure food security. These “biotic” (i.e. living) causes of crop loss can be just as harmful as “abiotic” (i.e. nonliving) stressors such as drought, extreme temperatures, nutrient deficiencies, andRead more

A sub-irrigation system can be an advantageous watering system for field crops as well as in controlled environments such as plant nurseries, commercial greenhouses and even hydroponic systems. However, especially in outdoor cropping systems, the soil type and permeability, water table and climatic conditions must be uniquely suited to support a sub-irrigation system. And evenRead more

Precision farming is revolutionizing agriculture. So much so that most industry pundits consider the advance of precision agriculture as fundamentally disruptive to sustainable agriculture and food production as was the invention of the John Deere steel plow in the mid-1800s. Already the inclusion of new data-collection tools and the Internet of Things (IoT) combined withRead more

By all accounts, organic agriculture is soaring in popularity. Consumers are increasingly shifting their food choice priorities to a focus on foods they perceive to be healthier for themselves and the environment. U.S. organic sales reached record heights in 2020, reaching nearly $62 billion and for the first time, surpassing more than $60 billion inRead more

With eight billion people currently existing on our planet and a population predicted to continue to grow into the future, we no longer have the luxury of unlimited, untapped natural resources. Therefore sustainability, or the idea of maintaining the resources we do have so we have them in the future, has become integral to theRead more

Agtech is the future of farming. It is revolutionizing farm practices at a time when the world desperately needs new technologies and partnerships to grow more food. Everything from cars to phones to our homes are going ‘high tech’ making our lives easier, more productive and more connected with practical, everyday applications of robotics, machineRead more

A farmer without a market is like a crop without water — doomed. This fact is nothing new for modern growers, who must develop marketing plans that are proactive, comprehensive, and diversified. One common feature of such plans is contract farming, also known as “outgrower schemes” — a type of mutually-beneficial partnership between producers andRead more

Too much water when you don’t need it. Too little water when you do. If there is one common hurdle all farmers must navigate, it is the long-term sustainability of managing their water resources. Water is essential to growing food. According to the Water Footprint Network, a pound of lettuce needs a whopping 15 gallonsRead more

Food companies universally dread a product recall. For good reason. A 2012 survey estimated that U.S. food companies racked up an average of $10 million just in direct costs for things like the logistics of product recall and disposal. Eighteen percent of those companies said they spent an estimated $30 and $99 million in directRead more

Agricultural productivity is a big concept with a global impact, but it starts with efficient on-farm management. How productive or efficient our global food production systems can become will significantly impact our future well-being. A high level of productivity in the agricultural sector ensures abundant and affordable food while fostering economic growth and food securityRead more