Corn/Maize
Nancy Kavazanjian Nancy Kavazanjian
shared this 2 article 5 years ago
Topics: Corn/Maize, Fertilizer, Ag Innovation, Ag Startups & Financing,

Startup Joyn Bio aims to reduce pollution involved in large-scale agriculture

A startup is using the tools of synthetic biology to reduce the pollution involved in large-scale agriculture.The big picture: We face two major challenges around farming: how to feed a still-growing global population, and how to do so without ruining the environment. Advances in synthetic biology could help us do both.Support safe, smart, sane journalism. Sign up for Axios Newsletters here.How it works: Joyn Bio, a joint venture between synthetic biology leader Ginkgo Bioworks and life sciences giant Bayer, is experimenting with engineering microbes that could help replace the synthetic fertilizer and chemicals used in conventional farming. * The company is focusing first on developing custom microbes that could fix nitrogen in the soil to feed growing cereal crops like corn, what Joyn Bio CEO Michael Miille calls the "Holy Grail of agriculture."Background: Plants need nitrogen to grow efficiently, but there's not enough naturally in soil to support the crops needed to feed a global population of nearly 8 billion people. * The Haber-Bosch process to artificially fix nitrogen using fertilizer transformed agriculture — by one estimate only 4 billion people could be supported using natural fertilizer — but the energy intensity of the process contributes to climate change, while fertilizer runoff leads to water pollution and aquatic dead zones.Details: Joyn Bio identifies natural microbes in the soil that show promise in fixing nitrogen and then "engineers them to perform at an entirely different level," says Miille. * The company aims to engineer microbes that can fix nitrogen efficiently enough that synthetic fertilizer use could be cut by 30–50% without affecting crop yield. * Miille says that currently, Joyn Bio's engineered microbes are efficient enough to reduce fertilizer use by 10% or so, though the company still needs to overcome regulatory hurdles and consumer acceptance before it could reach the marketplace."Agriculture needs innovation to be successful. The status quo is not going to get us the...

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TOPIC(S): Corn/Maize, Soil Health, Soybeans, Conservation/Tillage,

01/25/2021 SOURCE: www.osagecountyonline.com

Kansas Bankers Conservation Award: Shoups continue family tradition in caring land

Shoup Farms: Doug and Lara Shoup and their children Garrett, Cade, Charlotte and Leanne. Courtesy photo. By Lori Kuykendall Osage County Conservation District Manager This year’s Kansas Banker Award for soil conservation goes to Shoup Farms. Shoup Farms is located north of Lyndon, and operate

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TOPIC(S): Corn/Maize, Agriculture US, Ethanol/Biofuel,

01/22/2021 SOURCE: www.desmoinesregister.com

Iowa's ethanol production falls by 500 million gallon as Americans drive less due to COVID-19

With Americans driving less and using less fuel due to the coronavirus, Iowa ethanol production fell 12% in 2020 from 2019.

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John LaRose Jr. John LaRose Jr.
shared this 2 article 5 years ago
Topics: Corn/Maize, Young Farmers, Economics, World Hunger, Ag Africa, World Population,

Mvurwi farmer hails Command Agriculture Scheme

COMMAND Agriculture scheme has changed the life of Mvurwi farmer Prince Chipenda (42) who planted 100 hectares of maize in Mvurwi ward 26.Chipenda said he recei...

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TOPIC(S): Corn/Maize, GMO's, Ag Africa, Weather,

01/18/2021 SOURCE: geneticliteracyproject.org

Africa biotech setback: Tanzania suspends GM crop research, ending trials of insect-resistant corn and virus-resistant cassava

Agriculture minister Prof Adolf Mkenda made the announcement on January 12 at the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) Mikocheni centre in Dar es

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John LaRose Jr. John LaRose Jr.
shared this 2 article 5 years ago
Topics: Corn/Maize, Commodities, Agriculture Global, World Hunger, Government / Policies, Coronavirus/COVID,

Maize Price Rise Sends Shockwave | The Nation Online | Malawi Daily Newspaper

The continued rise in maize prices is a threat to inflation outlook and household survival, particularly among low-income earners, analysts have warned.

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Nancy Kavazanjian Nancy Kavazanjian
shared this 2 article 5 years ago
Topics: Corn/Maize, Soil Health, Agriculture US, Sustainability, Fertilizer,

Soil degradation costs U.S. corn farmers a half-billion dollars every year | Scienmag: Latest Science and Health News

Credit: Pexels One-third of the fertilizer applied to grow corn in the U.S. each year simply compensates for the ongoing loss of soil fertility, leading to more than a half-billion dollars in extra costs to U.S. farmers every year, finds new research from the University of Colorado Boulder published last…

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TOPIC(S): Corn/Maize, Agriculture US, GMO's, Ag Asia / Pacific, Trade (Commodities),

01/12/2021 SOURCE: www.bloombergquint.com

China Approves Two GMO Corn Strains for Imports as Demand Soars

China approved two genetically modified corn varieties as demand for animal feed surges.

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TOPIC(S): Corn/Maize, Agriculture US, Ethanol/Biofuel, Renewable Energy (Solar/Wind),

01/09/2021 SOURCE: www.reuters.com

Supreme Court agrees to hear biofuel waiver case

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday agreed to review a lower court ruling that severely limited the government's powers to exempt small refineries from the nation's biofuels law, rekindling a long-running dispute between the oil and corn industries.

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TOPIC(S): Corn/Maize, Young Farmers, Commodity/Trade Groups,

01/06/2021 SOURCE: norfolkdailynews.com

Nebraska Corn Growers Association looking for future Ag leaders

LINCOLN - The Nebraska Corn Growers Association is now accepting applications for the fourth class of the Future Leaders in Agriculture Scholarship Program.

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