search
farmers
Trends
- 1Ukraine's farmers struggle to sell harvest amid war and droughtโUkraine'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 billโWisconsin 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.
- 3Farmers pair sheep and crops with solar panelsโWhy 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.
- 4Kubota develops agrivoltaic system for rice farming under solar panelsโKubota 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.
- 5New method sheds light on insect sexual communication for crop protectionโCrop 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.
- 6
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.