search
farmers
Trends
- 1Ukraine's farmers struggle to sell harvest amid war and drought▼Ukraine's farmers struggle to sell harvest amid war, drought
Ukrainian farmers are finding it increasingly difficult to sell their harvest as the war with Russia and a severe drought compound the country's agricultural crisis. Blocked export routes, damaged infrastructure and poor yields have left growers with unsold grain and mounting losses. The situation is drawing renewed attention to the impact of the conflict on global food supplies.
- 2Wisconsin farmers urge Congress to pass farm bill●Wisconsin farmers look to Congress for farm bill certainty
Wisconsin farmers are calling on Congress to pass a new farm bill, saying they need certainty on subsidies, crop insurance and support programs after repeated extensions of the old law. Dairy and crop producers in the state say prolonged delay in Washington makes long-term planning on prices and planting difficult, and they want lawmakers to reach agreement soon.
- 3Kubota develops agrivoltaic system for rice farming under solar panels▼Kubota agrivoltaic system allows rice farming and combine harvesting beneath elevated solar panels
Kubota has introduced an agrivoltaic system that lets farmers grow and combine-harvest rice beneath elevated solar panels. The setup raises photovoltaic arrays high enough for standard farm machinery to pass underneath, allowing the same land to produce both food and renewable electricity. The idea is drawing attention as countries push to expand solar capacity without sacrificing farmland.
- 4Farmers pair sheep and crops with solar panels●Why some farmers are pairing crops and grazing sheep with solar panels
Farmers are increasingly combining agriculture with solar energy, installing panels over fields where crops grow and sheep graze. This practice, known as agrivoltaics, allows land to produce both food and electricity at once. DW reports that shading from panels can help crops in hot, dry conditions, while sheep keep grass under panels trimmed, making dual use appealing to farmers facing land and energy pressures.
- 5
A new USGS overview examines how a strong Super El Niño event is affecting the Midwestern United States. The report outlines regional consequences of the climate pattern, which typically brings shifted precipitation and temperature conditions. With El Niño events capable of disrupting agriculture, water supplies and weather across the region, coverage of its Super El Niño intensity is drawing attention from farmers, planners and weather watchers.
- 6New method sheds light on insect sexual communication for crop protection▼Crop protection: A new method for understanding insect sexual communication
Researchers have developed a new method for studying how insects communicate sexually, according to Phys.org. The work could improve crop protection by helping farmers disrupt pest mating without heavy pesticide use. Details of the method, the team behind it and the species studied remain limited, but the pest-control potential is the main point of interest.
- 7
Attention is turning to whether the European Union is reconsidering its biofuels policy, a question trade publication Ethanol Producer Magazine poses in its latest headline. Brussels has shifted position on crop-based fuels several times over the past two decades, first encouraging them and then capping food-based ethanol and biodiesel over sustainability concerns. Any new rethink would matter for fuel producers, farmers and climate targets across Europe.
- 8Israeli forces kill Palestinian in Gaza, arrest four West Bank farmers▼Israeli forces kill Palestinian in Gaza, arrest four farmers in West Bank
Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian in Gaza and detained four farmers in the occupied West Bank, according to Middle East Eye. The incidents highlight the continuing violence in both territories, with near-daily raids and lethal fire reported despite ongoing ceasefire diplomacy.
- 9SIU Researchers Build AI Robot to Detect Soybean Diseases Early▼SIU Researchers Build Robot, AI to Detect Soybean Diseases Before Symptoms Appear
Researchers at Southern Illinois University have developed a robot paired with artificial intelligence capable of detecting soybean diseases before visible symptoms appear in crops. The technology could allow farmers to intervene earlier, potentially reducing crop losses and pesticide use. The announcement has drawn attention within the agricultural technology community as interest grows in AI-driven precision farming tools.
- 10Researchers rethink zinc biofortification in wheat●Right seed, right soil, right management: Rethinking zinc biofortification in wheat
Scientists at CIMMYT argue that successful zinc biofortification of wheat depends on more than breeding fortified seed. In a new piece, they say outcomes hinge on matching the right varieties to local soil conditions and pairing them with proper crop management, including fertilizer practices. The message is aimed at researchers, policymakers and farmers working to reduce zinc deficiency through staple crops.