High prices sway US farmers to use conservation land for crops
The US government’s goal of using conservation land to help slow global warming by sequestering carbon in plants and the soil is being complicated by farmers reintroducing crop production on...
Global edible oil markets in turmoil after shock Indonesia ban
The global edible oil market has reacted with shock to Indonesia’s unexpected ban on palm oil exports in the week of 25 April.
California mega-producer pins hope on legalisation of marijuana
Although a bill was passed by the US House of Representatives on 1 April to end that country’s federal ban on the recreational use of marijuana, it is not expected...
Hunting game help farmers in Laos to fight rat plague
One of Southeast Asia’s poorest countries, Laos, has been battling a growing rat problem for more than a decade, with these rodents destroying rice crops, the country’s main cash crop...
France facing ‘worst-ever’ second-wave bird flu outbreak
With the number of cullings having reached more than 12 million birds in the first week of April, France is facing its worst outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI)...
Australian consumers’ demand for free-range eggs faltering
The reality of current reduced household budgets in Australia is being reflected in the demand for free-range eggs in that country. While daily egg consumption in Australia has reached 17...
Rising demand for rice in animal feed puts pressure on supplies
The use of low-grade rice in animal feed rations across Asia has resulted in the price of this staple commodity rising rapidly.
High biofuel prices in Brazil could put pressure on sugar output
Sugar industry analysts in Brazil expect the sharp hike in local fuel prices to result in a substantial reduction in the volume of sugar exported from that country during the...
Rally in grain prices could boost incomes for US farmers
Global wheat prices reached 14-year highs in the first week of March on the back of fears about serious disruptions in grain and oilseed exports from the Black Sea region...
‘Plant biofuels no silver bullet for carbon sequestration’
Countries in Europe are increasingly relying on crop biofuels to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the region’s transport industry.
America, Asia on high alert as bird flu cases continue to spread
The total number of chickens and turkeys affected by highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the US in the second half of February has reached about 1,65 million.
Plant-based ‘dairy’ fails to convert Australian milk-drinkers
Despite large investments in the manufacture of plant-based ‘milk’ products in Australia, only about 2% of Australian households regularly use them.
Billions in farming insurance pay-outs weigh on US taxpayers
Between 1995 and 2020, farmers in the US received more than US$143,5 billion (about R2,2 trillion) in federal crop insurance pay-outs, much of it subsidised by taxpayers.
New EU rules will help farmers prevent costly disease outbreaks
A more streamlined approvals process for veterinary products in the EU, particularly those used for more uncommon species of farm animals or diseases, will make vaccines and veterinary medicines more...
African swine fever in wild boars threaten Italy’s pork industry
Pig farmers across Europe are on high alert after the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) reported outbreaks of African swine fever (ASF) in wild boar in Hungary, Latvia and...
Fears about higher risk of bird flu spreading to humans
As more variants of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu, emerge, they become harder to track, increasing the potential spread to humans.
Call for investigation into spiking US fertiliser prices
US farmer group, the Family Farm Action Alliance, has alleged in a letter sent to the US Department of Justice that fertiliser companies in that country are increasing the prices...
Ethanol production rise puts pressure on global sugar supply
Global sugar supplies are expected to tighten again, following the forecast for a fourth successive global deficit in the 2022/23 marketing year, Tropical Research Services (TRS) said in a recent...
Intensive farming not sustainable, EU investors warn
Intensive farming should not be classified as a sustainable activity in the European Commission’s EU taxonomy document, which is currently being finalised.
Cannabis tax could earn Germany R60 billion a year
A new survey commissioned by the German hemp association has found that legalising cannabis could earn that country’s government additional tax revenue of about €3,4 billion (around R61,7 billion) per...
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