New Bee Parasite in New Zealand Killing Colonies, Posing Biosecurity Challenge for the Industry
New Zealand is reporting the loss of thousands of honey bee colonies after the discovery of the existence of Lotmaria passim in the country, a parasite which attacks the gut of honey bees, and which was discovered in the U.S. only six months ago. Reports indicate the rapid loss of thousands of colonies in the Coromandel Peninsula
Read morePilot Project Launched in Ukraine to Privatize State-Owned Ag Enterprises
A pilot project has been launched in Ukraine through a joint working group consisting of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, the State Property Fund of Ukraine, and the Fund for Innovations and Development (the Republic of Georgia) for the privatization of State-owned agricultural enterprises, according to an announcement on t
Read moreMarket Dynamics Attracting Private Equity and Venture Capitalists to the Seafood Space
The U.S. currently imports 90% of its seafood supply, and by 2030, aquaculture will be supplying 66% of all global fish consumed. This equals 93 billion tons – up from 53 billion tons in 2008, as wild-caught production is faced with dwindling ocean fish populations and declining output. As innovations continue to emerge and next-generation a
Read moreArgentinian Agtech Startup, Solapa4, Establishing North American HQ in St. Louis
After being brought to St. Louis following a $100,000 investment from the Yield Lab, Argentinian agtech startup, Solapa4 has announced it is establishing its North American headquarters in the city. Founded in 2010, Solapa4 uses gathered data and analytics to determine the agricultural potential and performance of land to help far
Read moreUK-Based “Cruelty Free” Caviar Startup Aims For ‘Affordable Premium’ Niche
UK-based startup, The Standard Caviar Co., is looking to lure young consumers using a direct-to-consumer e-commerce business model, production methods that are cruelty free, and manufacturing methods that cost significantly less than traditional methods, allowing the company to offer a premium product at an affordable price, while still seeing
Read moreAustralian Water Policy: A Model Worth Exploration
By Garrett Baldwin In April, GAI News discussed California’s water policy and resource management challenges, which have been brought to light by the state’s ongoing drought. In a conversation with Sprott Asset Management, founder Rick Rule argued that the lack of a free-market pricing mechanism has led to misallo
Read moreAs Rental Rates Climb, Custom Farming Agreements Provide Alternative
As farmland rental rates continue to climb, and commodity price volatility and yield fluctuation risks threaten margins under typical cash rental contracts, one answer that can be beneficial to both the landowner and farm operator is a custom farming agreement. Under a typical custom farming agreement, the landowner is considered
Read moreAsia’s Urban Sprawl Threatens Farmland, Food Security
By Lynda Kiernan As Asia’s population continues to grow and gain wealth, urban and suburban development grows with it. Prime farmland is being lost to urban sprawl, posing a threat to food supplies and causing prices of remaining farmland to soar. All too often, government policies have not kept pace with these changes.
Read moreInnovation for Farmland Price “Transparency”
By Dan Emerson Earlier this year, San Francisco-based Granular acquired farmland valuation tool called AcreValue. AcreValue gives online users valuation information on farmland in Iowa, Illinois and Indiana, using proprietary algorhythms that factor-in 50 different metrics, in a map-based interface. Valuation estimat
Read moreThe Rise of Data Science in Agriculture [+PODCAST] (Premium Content)
Dave Gebhardt Chief Strategy Officer FarmLink By Garrett Baldwin With GAI AgTech Week 2015 set for June 22-24 in San Francisco, GAI News is exploring the impact of data science in the agricultural sector. Growth in the industry has been remarkable in recent years as new innovations have dramatically improved the o
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