US agri commodity prices to remain under pressure in 2020
After US farmers faced a challenging year in 2019, there was cautious optimism that the prices of maize, soya bean and wheat could receive a boost from the new trade agreement signed by China and the US last week.
FAO declares 2020 International Year of Plant Health
The cultivation of healthy plants depends on healthy soils, according to Dr Hendrik Smith, a conservation agriculture (CA) facilitator at Grain SA and the Maize Trust.
How virtual reality goggles can improve cows’ well-being
Russian milk producers have developed a new and unexpected solution to dairy output challenges.
Polish authorities on high alert as bird flu spreads
Multiple cases of the highly pathogenic H5N8 avian influenza virus have now been confirmed in turkey populations in eastern Poland, according to local authorities.
Biogas plants planned to tackle farming pollution in India
In a bid to prevent the severe pollution resulting from farmers burning crop residues every winter, authorities in India have announced plans to establish more than 100 biogas plants in the north of the country.
Western Europe fortifies defences against African swine fever
A wild boar infected with African swine fever (ASF) has been found near Nowogrod Bobrzanski in Western Poland, just 40km from the German border, leaving German authorities on high alert.
New Zealand adds methane loophole for farmers in carbon bill
New Zealand’s parliament has approved a Bill that commits the country to being carbon neutral by the year 2050.
Widespread protests against ‘farmer bashing’ in the EU
In the latest incident in a string of protests across Europe during the past few weeks, farmers took to the streets of Paris, France on Wednesday and blocked the city’s streets with more than 1 000 tractors.
Severe onion shortages lead to protest action in India
The federal government in India has approved 120 000t in onion imports to supplement supplies as severe shortages hit the domestic market.
Illegal vaccines compound China’s African swine fever crisis
China’s agricultural ministry has warned farmers against the use of illegal and experimental vaccines as the country continues to struggle to contain the African swine fever epidemic.
Farmers blamed for Indian capital’s pollution crisis
Almost 200 farmers in the territories neighbouring the Delhi metropolitan area in India have been arrested following a supreme court order for all farm fires to be halted.
Greek peach producers in despair about new US tariffs
The trade tensions between the EU and the US is threatening one of Greece’s most successful export sectors, tinned peaches.
