Introduction:

Regenerative agriculture is a farming method that prioritizes soil health and carbon sequestration. In this article, we will explore the benefits of regenerative agriculture, the challenges it faces, and its potential to be supported by the US farm bill.

Benefits of Regenerative Agriculture:

Regenerative agriculture promotes diversity in crops, leading to better soil health, increased plant photosynthesis, and carbon sequestration. Soil expert Arohi Sharma estimates that if every US farm operated like Engelhart’s, the carbon removed would be equivalent to shutting down 64 coal-fired power plants. Additionally, regenerative agriculture can increase food production and support local economies.

Challenges of Regenerative Agriculture:

Regenerative agriculture faces several challenges, including the need for specialized knowledge and equipment, initial costs, and limited access to markets for regenerative products. Furthermore, current agricultural policy prioritizes unsustainable farming practices over regenerative ones, making it difficult for farmers to receive financial support.

US Farm Bill and Regenerative Agriculture:

The US farm bill is crucial legislation that determines the fate of farming livelihoods in the US. Environmentalists hope that the new farm bill will prioritize regenerative agriculture, providing financial support for farmers who use this sustainable farming method.

Conclusion:

Regenerative agriculture has the potential to transform farming by promoting soil health and carbon sequestration. Despite the challenges it faces, the growing support from environmentalists and farmers like Engelhart is encouraging. By prioritizing regenerative agriculture in the US farm bill, we can promote a more sustainable and environmentally friendly food system.

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CNH Industrial has unveiled the “first” electric light tractor prototype with self-driving features, the New Holland T4 Electric Power. The T4 Electric Power promises to revolutionize the farming industry with its eco-friendly and hands-off approach.

Zero Emissions, Lower Costs

The T4 Electric Power operates on a 120HP motor and has a top speed of 25MPH, comparable to regular tractors. With zero emissions and lower running costs, farmers can save up to 90% on operating costs. Sensors and cameras on the roof help the tractor complete tasks and work in harmony with other equipment.

Power Pack on Wheels

The T4 Electric Power can also serve as a power pack on wheels with outlets to plug in common tools and serve as a backup power source in emergencies. Farmers can attach hydraulic, mechanical, and Power Take Off implements to the tractor.

T7 Methane Power LNG – The Environmentally Conscious Option

For farmers who prefer the familiarity of fuel, CNH has introduced the T7 Methane Power LNG, the “world’s first” liquid natural gas tractor. The T7 LNG can run on biomethane sourced from livestock manure, reducing CO2 emissions and making it a more environmentally conscious option.

The Future is Now

The T4 Electric Power is expected to be available for production by the end of 2023, with more models on the way. The T7 Methane Power LNG is currently a pre-production prototype with no launch date. Prices for these tractors are not yet available, but CNH is betting that the technology will ultimately save farmers money. With the T4 Electric Power and T7 Methane Power LNG, farmers can experience eco-friendly and hands-off farming while reducing their impact on the planet.

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Embracing Excellence, Innovation and Community Development

With ideal weather conditions, soil and water supplies, Angola has the potential to become a major agricultural exporter. Aderito Costa, Angola’s “Pitaya King”, and Yudo Borges, Angola’s “Strawberry King”, have set themselves apart by embracing a shared set of values that include a passion for excellence, innovation, agricultural know-how, and community development.

The Strawberry King: Yudo Borges

In southwest Huila Province, it’s harvest time in the strawberry fields. Yudo Borges became known as “The Strawberry King” when he converted his 60-year-old farm from flowers and cattle. With year-round cultivation possible due to a dry winter and a temperature range of 29-30 degrees during the summer, Yudo says, “We have the best conditions to produce strawberries in the world.”

Angola’s Agricultural Potential

Wanderley Ribeiro, President of Angola’s Agricultural Association, believes that Angola’s vast potential as a major producer and exporter of pitaya and other crops lies in its people. With a new generation of entrepreneurs looking to the global market for quality and demand, Angola is becoming a diamond in the rough for agriculture production.

In conclusion, Angola’s weather conditions, soil and water supplies, and entrepreneurial spirit make it a diamond in the rough for fruit export potential. With innovative and community-focused leaders like Aderito Costa and Yudo Borges, the future is bright for Angola’s agricultural industry.

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A New Era in Farming Technology

The introduction of the gas-powered tractor in 1892 revolutionized agriculture and increased efficiency for growers. Now, a new generation of advanced robots is transforming the industry again. Large-scale operations are rolling out technology like drones and robots that can automate nearly every aspect of the process, from planting to picking to spraying pesticides. This trend is most prevalent in North America, which is the world’s largest market for automation in agriculture.

From Tractors to Bots: The Evolution of Agricultural Automation

Bot-powered farming is not a new idea. Early studies in the 1960s explored the potential of automated steering for vehicles like tractors. Starting around the 1990s, more task-specific devices like an automatic milking system and a melon-harvesting robot came onto the scene. Today, companies like Tortuga AgTech are making cost-effective and highly functional robots that deliver 95% accuracy in plucking grapes and strawberries. With the ability to gather crucial data like humidity and temperature and eliminate pests with UV light, these robots have the potential to eliminate the need for toxic pesticides.

Fancy Farm Robots: The Future is Here

Tortuga AgTech is just one of many companies developing cutting-edge farm robots. In addition to plucking produce at superhuman speed, some tools can tackle pesky weeds. California-based Verdant Robotics’ all-in-one machine uses lasers to decimate these unwanted plants, in addition to spraying pesticides with millimeter precision to spare nearby crops.

The Ethics of Human-Free Farms

While the benefits of human-free farms are clear, there are also ethical concerns. The reduced need for farm laborers could result in job loss and income insecurity for those workers. Philosopher Robert Sparrow from Monash University in Australia says, “It’s now [a greater] range of tasks and indeed the possibility that might move to a fully automated farm.” As the industry continues to evolve, it will be important to consider the social impact of these technological advancements.

The Future is Bright for Human-Free Farms

Human-free farms have the potential to solve major food problems and improve efficiency in agriculture. As technology continues to advance, it will be exciting to see how the industry evolves and what new innovations arise. Whether you are an agriculture professional or just interested in the future of food production, the future of human-free farms is definitely something to watch.

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Fruit crops have always been at risk of damage caused by birds, but a West Australian orchardist has found a solution using laser technology. Sam Licciardello, who grows apples, pears, plums, peaches, and nectarines, was losing up to 20% of his crops each year to birds. He turned to laser bird-deterrent technology as a solution.

The machine projects lasers in a pattern onto the fruit trees, operating 24 hours a day, scaring the birds enough to keep them off the fruit and away from the trees. The laser machine can be programmed with a pattern to suit the orchard’s layout and can be adjusted as needed. However, after a trial last season, Mr. Licciardello noticed that the birds seemed to learn the laser pattern after 10 days.

“I’d scramble it and change it, and [the birds] would have to sit back and learn it again,” he said. “You’ve gotta be really on top of it and adjust your program to suit.” Despite the birds learning the pattern, Mr. Licciardello believes that the laser system will become even more efficient over time.

The use of laser technology in protecting fruit crops from birds is a novel approach that shows promise. Not only does it protect the crops, but it also does so without harming the birds. This approach represents a win-win situation for both the orchardist and the birds.

In conclusion, laser bird-deterrent technology is a promising solution for orchardists facing the problem of bird damage to their fruit crops. The ability to program the laser machine with a pattern to suit the orchard’s layout and adjust it as needed makes it a flexible solution. With the potential to become even more efficient over time, it is definitely worth considering for those looking for a solution to this age-old problem.

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Climate change is making much of the world a hotter and drier place, causing more droughts and reducing farmland productivity. To feed the projected 10 billion people by the end of the century, scientists are turning to heat-tolerant species like orchids, agaves and pineapples that have hacked photosynthesis in ways that allow them to thrive in harsh conditions.

The process of photosynthesis, which uses sunlight, water and carbon dioxide to make the sugars and other molecules plants need, can be disrupted by hot and dry environments. However, by engineering crop plants like rice and wheat to be more like heat-tolerant species, researchers say some crop yields could increase by 50 percent or more.

Plant molecular biologists like Xiaohan Yang from Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee believe that these heat-tolerant plants are a natural solution to mitigate the effects of climate change. To increase crop yields, scientists have been targeting photosynthesis, which fuels almost all life on Earth.

There are two main approaches to making photosynthesis more efficient in hot and dry environments: the CAM strategy and engineering C4 traits into C3 plants. Although both have different strengths and weaknesses, scientists hope to engineer CAM traits into C4 plants like corn to make them even more efficient at using water.

While the work is still years from being done, it’s clear that CAM can be engineered into C3 plants. However, it remains to be seen whether useful crops will result. If they can, it is estimated that it will take about 10 years before they are available to the public.

In conclusion, hacking photosynthesis has the potential to increase crop yields, making it a vital solution for feeding the world amidst the effects of climate change. By turning to heat-tolerant species and targeting the process of photosynthesis, scientists are hoping to make crops like corn, wheat and barley as heat and drought resistant as cacti.

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In a report by Nature Sustainability, researchers chronicle the success of perennial rice cultivation across China’s Yunnan Province. This new crop is changing the lives of over 55,752 smallholder farmers in southern China and Uganda by reducing labor and increasing profits. This new form of rice has been developed through hybridization, crossing an Asian domesticated annual rice with a wild perennial rice from Africa.

With few exceptions, perennial rice yield was equivalent to annual rice over the first four years of cultivation, but farmers growing perennial rice put in almost 60% less labor and spent nearly half on seed, fertilizer, and other inputs. This reduction in labor, often done by women and children, is important as it can be accomplished without substitution by fossil fuel-based equipment.

Not only is this new form of rice economically beneficial for farmers, it also provides significant environmental benefits. The research team documented higher soil organic carbon and nitrogen stored in soils under perennial rice, improving soil quality. Furthermore, avoiding twice-yearly tillage also helps replenish ecological systems required to maintain productivity over the long term.

The researchers are continuously refining the crop and plan to quickly introduce desirable traits such as aroma, disease resistance, and drought tolerance. Perennial rice is already a game changer for farmers in China and Uganda, and with further improvements, its reach could potentially expand across the globe.

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