Farming Future Food
@farmingfuturefood.bsky.social
Sharing the latest news and insights on the agtech reshaping the world’s food and farming systems www.farmingfuturefood.com
Drylands cover swathes of the earth and produce a large portion of our food. #Carbon stored in dry farm soils is also critical #climatechange mitigation - but research suggests that soil salt content can impact this role. farmingfuturefood.com/soil-salinit... #farmsky #future
Salinity may be undermining farm soil carbon sequestration in global drylands - Farming Future Food
New research shows salt levels significantly influence soil carbon storage stability on farms.
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Can you improve the impact of biological pest control by reducing fertiliser input? Research from @inrae-france.bsky.social suggests so. farmingfuturefood.com/reduced-fert... #farming #agrisky #scicomm
Reduced fertiliser inputs may help biological control without impacting yields - Farming Future Food
Lower fertiliser rates reduced aphid pressure in greenhouse tomatoes while maintaining yields, suggesting nutrient management could support biological control.
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Flies dominate the insect protein market and the black soldier fly dominates all, but @ua.es research suggests there's scope for a wider perspective. farmingfuturefood.com/alternative-... #bugsky #futurefood #protein #farming
Alternative soldier fly species could unlock new opportunities for feed and food - Farming Future Food
A review from the University of Alicante argues that insect farming's focus on black soldier fly is overlooking other promising species better suited to regional feed, waste management and circular ec...
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The value of #ecosystem services provided by soil carbon in England and Wales is massive, according to research from @uniofreading.bsky.social @uniofgreenwich.bsky.social They say the findings could boost incentive programmes. farmingfuturefood.com/soil-carbon-... #climate #soil #farming
Soil carbon delivers £59.7bn in ecosystem benefits to England and Wales, study finds - Farming Future Food
Researchers from the University of Reading and University of Greenwich have produced the first comprehensive estimate of the economic value of soil carbon sequestration in England and Wales, highlight...
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Some of the same stuff used to keep mosquitoes away from us could help tackle whiteflies in valuable crops. farmingfuturefood.com/biodegradabl... #pests #bugsky #farming #fruit
Biodegradable mulch with citronella repels whiteflies in strawberry crops - Farming Future Food
Brazilian researchers have developed a biodegradable mulch film incorporating citronella oil that repels Bemisia tabaci while improving material performance and reducing egg-laying on strawberry plant...
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Could a Medieval empire tell us something about #biodiversity and #farming today? A piece I did on some slightly leftfield but thought-provoking research for @ec.europa.eu @scicommsuwe.bsky.social environment.ec.europa.eu/news/lessons...
Lessons from Medieval Europe could guide modern approaches to balancing biodiversity and agriculture
Research from Germany suggests that plant biodiversity boomed in Europe’s Medieval centre, despite a concurrent rise in farming and trade – and that current land management policy could learn from the...
environment.ec.europa.eu
The quest for immortal rice just got a huge boost. A gene tweak lets rice regrow after harvest, opening the door to multi-year crops that could dramatically transform agriculture’s climate impact. https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/?p=241140
The quest for immortal rice just got a huge boost
A gene tweak lets rice regrow after harvest, opening the door to multi-year crops that could dramatically transform agriculture’s climate impact.
anthropocenemagazine.org
Higher yields and lower emissions can go hand in hand. A 60-year dataset reveals that the biggest driver of declining agricultural emissions is in fact more productivity on farms. https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/?p=240858
Higher yields and lower emissions can go hand in hand
A 60-year dataset reveals that the biggest driver of declining agricultural emissions is in fact more productivity on farms.
anthropocenemagazine.org
A material which converts UV to red light could help #greenhouse growers cut energy costs and grow more food. A start-up supported by @rothamsted.bsky.social is leading the way. farmingfuturefood.com/red-light-gr... #cropscience #farming #agritech
Red light, grower’s delight: Startup’s spray-on product transforms UV in greenhouses to improve crop performance - Farming Future Food
Cambridge startup Lambda agri has developed a sprayable, biodegradable coating that converts UV light into red wavelengths, boosting greenhouse crop yields while cutting reliance on artificial lightin...
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Some prolific crop pests are tough to control using conventional methods. Enter 'RNA origami', a form of #RNA interference designed to enter insect cells more easily. farmingfuturefood.com/sprayable-or... #cropscience #farming #genetics #scicomm
Sprayable ‘origami’ RNA biopesticide shows promise for controlling caterpillar pests - Farming Future Food
Scientists in China have developed a sprayable RNA “origami” biopesticide that improved control of beet armyworm caterpillars in early lab trials.
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Crop breeding doesn't have to make compromises between yield and #sustainability aims. Chinese researchers say high productivity and locking in #carbon can be considered together. farmingfuturefood.com/next-generat... #farming #genetics #agritech #climate
Next-generation crop breeding aims to combine yield and carbon storage - Farming Future Food
A team of agri-scientists in China have outlined a framework for breeding crops that enhance soil carbon storage while maintaining — or even improving — productivity.
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Hoverflies are already famed #pollinators and pest-controllers, but scientists in #Sweden reckon they can do even more for farmers. Their study highlights the insects' potential for ferrying biopesticides to where they're needed. farmingfuturefood.com/hoverflies-s... #research #bugsky #scicomm
Hoverflies show potential as dual pollinators and disease-control agents - Farming Future Food
Swedish researchers show hoverflies can vector beneficial yeast to flowers, reducing grey mould and improving fruit quality.
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Why have a number of #agtech startups recently gone under? Researchers from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln reckon it's all down to overly high costs and a lack of engagement with what #farmers really need. farmingfuturefood.com/misaligned-b... #tech #farming #food
Misaligned business models, not technology, behind recent ag-tech shutdowns - Farming Future Food
An analysis of 18 ag-tech company closures in 2025 suggests economics and farmer adoption, not science, are the sector’s biggest barriers.
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There are few successful or sustainable ways to tackle the spotted wing drosophila, a notorious #fruit pest, but delivering #RNAi interference via yeast (and some Coca-Cola) looks very promising. farmingfuturefood.com/next-generat... #farming #agritech #genetics #scicomm
Next-generation biopesticide uses RNAi yeast and sugar lures to target fruit fly pest - Farming Future Food
U.S. researchers have used RNA interference to engineer yeast that selectively kills spotted wing drosophila when delivered in a sugar bait, offering a potential new class of biorational insecticides.
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A really good overview of the potential of biochar as a sustainable #soil amendment from @kamyar-razavi.bsky.social @globalnews.ca.web.brid.gy medium.com/the-new-clim... #farming #agritech #arable #climate
Will 2026 Finally Be the Year of Biochar?
Preventing planet-warming pollution by repurposing the carbon stored in plants
medium.com
Volcanic rock dust has been touted as a soil additive with a big future, but what does the research say? We took a look at the current evidence. farmingfuturefood.com/how-volcanic... #farming #crops #growing #soil
How volcanic rock dust affects soil pH, nutrients and crop performance - Farming Future Food
Researchers are examining whether basalt rock dust can improve soil pH and nutrient availability. FFF takes a look at what the current evidence shows.
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Stressed pigs mean bad #farming outcomes. New research has paved the way for a simple test to guide breeders in selecting the most resilient animals. farmingfuturefood.com/pig-hair-cor... #animalwelfare #pigs #agritech #genetics
Pig hair cortisol tests could guide breeding for better stress resilience - Farming Future Food
Researchers in North America have linked hair cortisol levels in young pigs to stress behaviours and genetic markers, opening the door to breeding animals better able to cope with routine farm stresso...
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Peat-free growing requires creativity, and a UK start-up's product brings double #sustainability benefits. It uses waste #milk to make a protein yarn offering increased nitrogen, absorption and binding strength to the #horticulture industry. farmingfuturefood.com/from-milk-to... #dairy #agritech
From milk to growing media: protein fibre offers high-nutrient peat-free option for growers - Farming Future Food
A fibre made from waste milk protein could help growers improve the performance of peat-free growing media without reverting to peat-based mixes.
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Let them eat algae? Research shows that broiler chickens grow well on the microalga Chlorella. The meat turns out better, too. farmingfuturefood.com/algal-feed-b... #farming #poultry #sustainability #feed
Algal feed boosts broiler meat quality without hurting growth, research shows - Farming Future Food
Feeding broilers Chlorella diets improves meat quality without harming welfare or productivity.
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Will a new form of crop circles soon be seen on #farm fields? A group of #robotics researchers reckon sowing in spirals could help automated machines do a better job. farmingfuturefood.com/spiral-shape... #farming #robots #agritech
Spiral-shaped crop fields could make farm robots more efficient - Farming Future Food
Scientists say farms of the future could swap straight rows for spiral-shaped fields to help robots work faster and use less energy.
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Insect farming can produce a range of useful products from #protein to #biofuels, but Ben Brown, COO of @insectbiotech.bsky.social says the sector needs to be far savvier about what they're feeding their bugs on. farmingfuturefood.com/insect-farmi... #sustainablefood #feed #farming
Insect farming needs to use true waste to be sustainable, says industry leader - Farming Future Food
InsectBiotech’s Ben Brown says insect farms must use true organic waste and low-energy setups to succeed.
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Promising trials in #Singapore suggest that farmers could treat infections in dairy cows without antibiotics or harsh chemicals. farmingfuturefood.com/new-antimicr... #sustainability #farming #scicomm
New antimicrobial compounds prevent mastitis infections without antibiotics - Farming Future Food
Scientists have developed antimicrobial compounds that prevent udder infections in dairy cows without antibiotics, killing drug-resistant bacteria safely and sustainably in early farm trials.
farmingfuturefood.com
The last few years haven't been too kind to the insect #protein industry. Speaking at a @royentsoc.bsky.social event, analyst Corentin Biteau said leaders have been overstating #sustainability and profitability all along, with a radical refocus needed farmingfuturefood.com/analyst-warn... #farming
Analyst warns insect farming may be overstating its sustainability and profitability - Farming Future Food
Research finds insect farming’s impact depends on context, feed sources and regulation.
farmingfuturefood.com
What makes a pizza pop may help poultry beat Salmonella. 🍕🐔🌿 USDA research has showcased the benefits of #oregano oil in birds' diets farmingfuturefood.com/oregano-addi...
Oregano additive shows promise in reducing Salmonella in broilers - Farming Future Food
Researchers have found that adding oregano oil to broiler diets can cut Salmonella levels in young birds, pointing to a natural alternative to antibiotics.
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Verticillium wilt plagues olive growers in #Spain, but fighting fungus with fungus could be a promising option to reduce the effects of disease-causing strains. 🫒🇪🇸 farmingfuturefood.com/scientists-d... #farming #sustainability #scicomm
Scientists demonstrate biological defence against major olive tree disease - Farming Future Food
Spanish study finds inoculation with fungus strains slows disease progression and boosts olive tree survival.
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New @monashuniversity.bsky.social research suggests you can probably put Aussies down as agriculture #automation and #AI sceptics. How can those leading the technologicial charge bring people along with them? farmingfuturefood.com/public-doubt... #agritech #farming #sustainablefood
Public doubts persist over automation in Australian agriculture - Farming Future Food
Australians question automation in farming, with doubts over ethics, ecology, and corporate control.
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A friendly fungus pumps out chemicals that can stop a major crop pathogen in its tracks. The @rothamsted.bsky.social @exeter.ac.uk findings could be the first step towards a new generation of #sustainable fungicides. farmingfuturefood.com/soil-fungus-... #agritech #farming #food
Soil fungus could replace chemical sprays in fight against crop diseases - Farming Future Food
A common soil fungus, Trichoderma hamatum, produces natural vapours that suppress major crop diseases, offering farmers a greener alternative to fungicides.
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Oilseed rape is a crop under pressure,but Swiss scientists have found that growing it along with a bean can effectively take on its complex of pest beetles🪲🌱🪲 farmingfuturefood.com/intercroppin... #farming #arable #sustainability
Intercropping with faba beans and decoys reduces pest pressure in oilseed rape - Farming Future Food
Swiss scientists show intercropping oilseed rape with faba beans or decoys reduces damaging insect pests.
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Farmers can now make breeding decisions to cut methane #emissions from #sheep flocks using a single sample. farmingfuturefood.com/rumen-microb... #farming #climate #sustainability #sheepsky
Rumen microbiome offers new route to breed low-methane sheep without cutting productivity - Farming Future Food
Sheep farmers can now breed lower-emission animals using rumen microbiome data — a heritable, scalable tool that supports climate goals without compromising flock performance.
farmingfuturefood.com
A robotic rover designed by researchers in #Bangladesh offers the possibility of simultaneous crop harvesting and #AI soil analysis. Can it crack the mainstream? farmingfuturefood.com/ai-rover-bri... #robotics #farming #food
AI rover brings autonomous harvesting and soil testing to precision agriculture - Farming Future Food
A prototype rover developed in Bangladesh combines autonomous vegetable harvesting with real-time soil nutrient analysis – potentially helping farmers tackle labour shortages, cut input costs and opti...
farmingfuturefood.com