agriculture
60 stories related to this topic, newest first.
civileats.comHouse Farm Bill Would Restrict Federal Solar Funding on Prime Farmland
The House version of the farm bill includes a provision barring federal grants for ground-mounted solar projects on prime farmland. Properties under five acres and some under 50 acres would remain eligible under conditions. The Senate is expected to begin work on its version in J…
citizen.co.zaOld Farmer’s Almanac Releases June 2026 Long-Range Weather Outlook
The Old Farmer’s Almanac has issued a long-range forecast for June 2026 that outlines broad temperature and precipitation patterns across U.S. regions. The outlook describes expected trends relative to historical averages rather than day-to-day conditions.
NprU.S. cattle herd reaches lowest level since 1951
The total number of beef and dairy cattle in the United States stood at 86.2 million head on January 1, according to USDA data. Multiple factors, including drought, higher operating costs, and industry consolidation, have contributed to the decline.
japantimes.co.jpJapan Government White Paper Notes Rise in Private Rice Imports
The fiscal 2025 white paper on food, agriculture and rural areas recorded a surge in private-sector rice imports after retail prices roughly doubled in May 2025. The document also addressed fertilizer supply risks and energy dependence on imported fossil fuels.
dailyalert.orgGunmen Destroy Over Eight Hectares of Farmland in Plateau State
Suspected gunmen destroyed more than eight hectares of cultivated farmland in Rewienku Village on Wednesday night. Local residents and officials called for increased security measures.
al-monitor.comIraq Ministry Reports Datura Plant Spread in Agricultural Areas
Iraq’s Ministry of the Interior issued an alert about datura plants, also known as jimsonweed. The ministry cited risks to crops from the plant’s toxic compounds. A Spanish study found the species has adapted to diverse climates worldwide.
rnz.co.nzDrought Covers More Than 60 Percent of Continental U.S. Since April
More than 60 percent of the continental United States has been under moderate drought or worse since April 7. Winter wheat abandonment is projected at 32 percent, matching the highest rate since 1933.
foxnews.comEuropean Aid Program Extends Through End of 2026
The program will continue until December 31, 2026, to offset higher fertiliser costs. Officials said the measure targets farmers facing elevated input prices.
SemaforStrait of Hormuz Disruption Threatens Global Fertilizer Supply
The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz has cut off roughly half the world’s fertilizer trade routes. The United Nations warned that production cuts and lower crop yields could last for years.
anothermag.comBook Examines Industrial Honeybee Farming Practices in the United States
Jennie Durant's Bitter Honey reviews the operational methods and mortality rates associated with commercial beekeeping in the U.S. The review notes that mortality statistics alone may not lead to policy or consumer changes.
newmandala.orgPhilippine University Grants Private Firm Exclusive Rights to Bio-N Fertilizer
University of the Philippines Los Baños transferred commercial production rights for Bio-N to Agri Specialist Inc. in 2023 after state-funded mixing plants declined. The private company now manufactures the microbial fertilizer at industrial scale in Laguna.
nypost.comCalifornia vineyard values fall as wine industry faces oversupply
Vineyard land prices have declined in several California counties. Industry participants at a May 21 conference described fewer buyers and lower grape demand. Two speakers said the broader market contraction may continue into 2028.
thesouthafrican.comSouth African agrotech firm SwiftVEE moves livestock sales online
SwiftVEE is developing an online platform to conduct cattle auctions. The company aims to shift a portion of South Africa's livestock transactions away from traditional in-person sales.
citizen.co.zaRain ends drought in Syria but many farmers skip planting
Recent rainfall ended years of drought across Syria. Crop failures and subsidy reductions left many farmers unable to plant despite the improved weather.
EuronewsKazakhstan Launches Cloud Seeding Project in Turkistan Region
Kazakhstan began a cloud-seeding program in the Turkistan region to increase rainfall on more than 900,000 hectares. Experts from the United Arab Emirates are training local staff for two months.
thehindubusinessline.comChina Resumes Nitrogen Fertilizer Exports
Chinese authorities have lifted restrictions on nitrogen fertilizer exports. The move follows earlier limits imposed to protect domestic supplies.
New York PostNapa County Reports Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter Found in Costco Grape Vines
Napa County agriculture officials confirmed that 220 grapevines shipped from Burchell Nursery to Costco stores in five Northern California counties contained the glassy-winged sharpshooter. The insect spreads Pierce’s disease, which has no cure and can kill grapevines.
nationalobserver.comU.S. beekeepers lost more than half of colonies in year ending April 2025
Commercial beekeepers reported colony losses exceeding 50 percent for the 12 months ending April 2025. The same period includes the scheduled closure of a federal research facility that had studied bee health since the 19th century.
Queensland Allocates $300,000 for Soybean and Rice Trials in Mossman
The Queensland government will direct $300,000 from the Mossman Transition Plan to soybean and rice projects. The funding follows the 2025 closure of the local sugar mill and forms part of a $12 million package established in 2024.
Maine Wild Blueberry Harvest Falls Sharply in 2025
Wild blueberry growers in Maine recorded a $28 million loss during the 2025 season. The crop is smaller, sweeter, and distinct from cultivated varieties sold in stores. The industry supports hand-harvest work by Indigenous communities.
deccanchronicle.comNamibia Prime Minister Says Two Boreholes per Village Is Achievable
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare stated that every village in Namibia could receive two boreholes under President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. He made the remarks during a visit to a community garden project in the Omaheke region.
blackenterprise.comLiberia Secures $36 Million Commitment for Rubber Processing Facilities
Liberia reached a $36 million investment agreement with Cambodia-based Mainland Group to build rubber processing plants and support smallholder farmers. The commitment was announced during Agriculture Minister Dr. Alexander Nuetah's visit to Cambodia.
Brokenwood Wines Wins Royal Agricultural Society President's Medal
Brokenwood Wines received the 19th President's Medal for sustainability practices that convert grape waste into compost. The award comes as the Australian wine industry faces declining demand and higher costs.
urbanmilwaukee.comMidwest Farm Lenders Report Lower Repayment Rates and Higher Loan Demand
A survey of agricultural lenders in the Midwest found repayment rates declined while new loan requests increased. The data cover the most recent quarter ending before May 2026.
indianexpress.comUS Farmers Borrow More as Input Costs Rise
U.S. farmers have taken on additional debt as input costs rise. Some borrowers are falling behind on repayments. The changes coincide with higher expenses linked to the Iran war.
rnz.co.nzTexas Beef Prices Reach Record High, Prompting Some BBQ Restaurant Closures
The average retail price for beef reached $9.64 per pound in April, up 13 percent from the prior year. Several Texas barbecue restaurants have closed or announced plans to close amid sustained high costs.
ecns.cnRice Paddy Emissions Nearly Doubled Since 1960s, Study Finds
A new Nature Food study reports that greenhouse gas emissions from rice paddies averaged 1.1 billion tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent per year in the 2010s. The figure equals the annual emissions of 239 million cars and makes rice the largest non-livestock source in agriculture.
thegatewaypundit.comSudan Farmers Cite Higher Fuel and Fertilizer Costs Ahead of Planting Season
Sudanese farmers report that rising global fuel and fertilizer prices tied to the Iran conflict will reduce planting this summer. The changes come as the country already faces widespread hunger linked to its ongoing civil war.
themortgagereports.comUSDA Extends Pause on Loans for Anaerobic Digesters Through Year-End
The U.S. Department of Agriculture will continue to withhold new loan guarantees for anaerobic digester projects until December 31. The agency cited delinquency rates and realized losses on existing projects as the reason for the extension.
motherjones.comBrazilian Prosecutors Sue Anvisa and Federal Government Over Glyphosate Use
Federal prosecutors filed suit against health regulator Anvisa and the federal government seeking a nationwide ban on the herbicide glyphosate. The complaint targets the top-selling weed killer currently approved for agricultural use.
Three Battery Storage Projects Proposed on Farmland in Eastern Victoria
Samsung C&T Renewable Energy Australia, ZEBRE, and ib vogt have each applied to build battery energy storage systems on agricultural land in Baw Baw Shire. Victoria's planning minister is reviewing the proposals while the local council has asked for alternative sites.
Washington ExaminerDemocrats Seek MAHA Voters Ahead of Midterm Elections
Sen. Cory Booker urged Democrats to align with parts of the Make America Healthy Again movement. Lawmakers from both parties have introduced measures targeting glyphosate and chemical company liability.
NewsweekOld Farmer’s Almanac Advises Gardeners on Preparing for Drier 2026 Summer
The Old Farmer’s Almanac forecasts above-average temperatures and below-normal rainfall across much of the United States this summer. It recommends specific watering, soil, and plant choices to reduce stress on gardens.
webpronews.comYale Study Finds Garlic Compound Blocks Insect Mating
Researchers identified diallyl disulfide in garlic as the compound that prevents fruit flies and mosquitoes from mating and laying eggs. The effect occurs through taste receptors and may apply to multiple insect species.
flipboard.comArizona Startup Uses AI and Vertical Farming to Target Micronutrient Deficiencies
OnePointOne co-founder Sam Bertram discussed how the company applies artificial intelligence to vertical farming. The approach focuses on micronutrient content rather than calorie production. The interview was published by Forbes on April 19, 2026.
rnz.co.nzMexico Food Prices Rise as Fuel and Fertiliser Costs Increase
Staple prices at wholesale markets in Nuevo Leon have risen sharply in recent weeks. Shoppers report buying less while vendors cut margins. Global shipping issues and domestic security problems are cited as contributing factors.
Uganda Expands Vanilla Production as Prices Fall from 2017 Peak
Uganda is increasing its vanilla output with two annual harvests and tighter quality controls. Major buyers including Ben & Jerry's and Nielsen-Massey have begun sourcing from the country. The shift follows a steep drop in global vanilla prices after years of reliance on Madagasc…
NewsweekFox News Poll Shows Trump Net Approval Among Rural Voters at -14
A Fox News poll conducted May 15-18 found President Trump's net approval rating among rural voters fell to -14. The survey also recorded 30 percent approval of his economic handling among rural respondents.
Southern Manitoba municipalities face over $1 million in ditch cleanup costs after May 14 windstorm
Winds exceeding 100 km/h on May 14 moved topsoil from fields into roadside ditches across parts of southern Manitoba. Local officials report that removing the accumulated soil could cost more than $1 million in some municipalities.
riotimesonline.comBrazilian Supreme Court Allows Resize of National Park for Proposed Railway
The court ruled that Jamanxim National Park boundaries can be altered to permit the Ferrogrão railway. The 600-mile project would run parallel to the existing soy highway through the Amazon basin.
Australia's Agave Farms Supply Distillers and Biofuel Research
Australian growers and distillers are harvesting mature agave plants for spirits production. Researchers are also testing the crop for ethanol and sustainable aviation fuel.
New York PostNew Jersey Governor Declares State of Emergency After April Freeze Damages Crops
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill declared a state of emergency on Wednesday after an April cold snap damaged an estimated $300 million in crops. The order seeks federal disaster aid for affected farmers.
thewire.inBangladesh Farmers Harvest Crops As Lightning Strikes Rise
Farmers across Bangladesh are accelerating crop collection as lightning incidents increase. The pattern has raised risks to both workers and agricultural output.
NewsweekU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Finds Atrazine Does Not Threaten Endangered Species
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service completed a court-ordered review of the herbicide atrazine on Friday. The findings state that the chemical does not pose an extinction risk to any threatened or endangered plants or animals.
rnz.co.nzFertilizer Prices Rise 44 Percent Since Start of Iran Conflict
Global fertilizer prices have increased 44 percent since the start of the Iran conflict and reached the highest level since 2022. The rise coincides with the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a route used by roughly one-third of globally traded fertilizer.
Beef Prices Rise as Cattle Supply Falls and Protein Demand Increases
Beef prices have increased amid a decline in cattle numbers and rising consumer demand for protein. Ranchers report that rebuilding herds will require several years.
Australia Explores Alternatives to Fossil Fuel-Based Fertiliser
Australia imports over two million tonnes of fertiliser annually, most of it derived from fossil fuels. Supply disruptions linked to the war in Iran and the Strait of Hormuz blockade have created the third shortage in recent years. Researchers and companies are developing methods…
ibtimes.co.ukReport Lists Strawberries and Grapes Among Fruits With Highest Pesticide Residues
A new analysis of U.S. Department of Agriculture data found pesticide residues on multiple fruits. The report examined 54,344 samples across 47 produce items.
NprBeekeepers Report Record Honeybee Colony Losses in 2025
Commercial beekeepers lost nearly 56 percent of honeybee colonies last year. The decline marks the largest since annual surveys began in 2010. Beekeepers cite habitat loss, pesticides, and parasites as contributing factors.
Potato wart detected on P.E.I. farm for first time since 2023
A soil sample from a P.E.I. farm tested positive for potato wart during routine annual testing. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency said the finding is limited to one field with no evidence of spread.
EuronewsEU Keeps Carbon Border Tax on Fertiliser Imports in New Farm Support Plan
The European Commission announced a fertiliser support plan on Tuesday that leaves the bloc's carbon border tax in place. The measure aims to help farmers facing higher input costs while preserving the EU's emissions pricing rules.
nypost.comAustralian Farmer Discovers Live Frog in Sealed Lettuce Bag
An Australian farmer found a live frog inside a sealed bag of lettuce. The frog was named Greg and later released near a dam.
etftrends.comAustralian Wheat Output Falls on Dry Weather, Higher Costs
Australian farmers reported lower wheat output this season. Production fell due to dry weather conditions and increased expenses linked to the Iran conflict.
americanbanker.comPersian Gulf Fertilizer Shipments Disrupted by Iran Conflict
Disruptions in the Persian Gulf have reduced fertilizer exports as farmers prepare for the growing season. The situation raises questions about supply chains for essential agricultural inputs.
Washington ExaminerPennsylvania Family Opposes Data Center Plan on Adjacent Farmland
A multigenerational farm in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, faces a proposed 1.2-gigawatt data center on 450 acres next to the property. The family has owned the land for nearly 200 years and objects to rezoning agricultural parcels for industrial use.
forbes.comRwanda Rice Cooperative Seeks Government Help to Recover Rwf64 Million Owed Since 2019
A cooperative of rice farmers in Kirehe District has asked the government to help recover more than Rwf64 million owed by a now-defunct processing company since 2019. The request was made during a visit by the Local Government Minister to the cooperative's marshland.
ibtimes.co.ukGhana Attorney General Charges Chairman Wontumi and Two Others in Ghana Exim Bank Case
The Office of the Attorney General has charged Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, known as Chairman Wontumi, and two others with alleged fraud involving funds from the Ghana Export-Import Bank. The charges relate to a 2018 farming project application.
en.antaranews.comUrea Fertilizer Prices Fall About 20 Percent From April Peak
Urea fertilizer prices have declined roughly 20 percent from their April high in several major farming regions. The drop has been recorded in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, Canada, Brazil, and the Black Sea.
agriculture.einnews.comAntibiotic Use on Livestock Farms Linked to Resistant Infections Near Farms
People living near pig farms show higher rates of antibiotic-resistant infections than those farther away. Livestock operations produce resistant microbes that affect farm workers and nearby communities.
NprU.S. Bean Consumption Rising as Consumers Seek Low-Cost Fiber Sources
Interest in beans and other pulses has increased amid higher food prices and attention to fiber intake. Industry groups aim to double American pulse consumption by 2030.