The hottest Agriculture Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics
Agribusiness Matters β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 25 Mar 23
  1. Agriculture requires a long-term approach that respects time more than money.
  2. Transition in irrigation tech towards software and services highlights changing revenue strategies.
  3. The food system needs redesigning to empower end users and move away from economies of scale.
Fight to Repair β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 18 Oct 22
  1. The FTC is proposing a new rule that would require major appliances to come with repair instructions, enhancing consumers' right to repair.
  2. A Democratic candidate in Kansas is advocating for a federal right to repair law in the agriculture sector to help farmers save money and time on equipment maintenance.
  3. Maine is moving towards including a 'right to repair' question on the 2023 ballot, aiming to enable vehicle repairs at independent shops or by vehicle owners.
Fight to Repair β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 12 Feb 21
  1. Over the years, access to repair information for farmers has shifted from comprehensive printed manuals to online manuals controlled by manufacturers, posing challenges like expensive subscriptions and limited access to tools for maintenance and diagnostics.
  2. The lack of efficient repair options can have significant financial impact on farmers, with downtime due to equipment failure potentially causing substantial financial losses, especially during time-sensitive tasks like harvesting.
  3. Despite strong support for right to repair bills within the farming community, the passage of such bills faces significant opposition from major manufacturers and lobbyists, highlighting the challenges in advocating for repair rights in the face of industry giants.
paxtier β€’ 1 implied HN point β€’ 20 Dec 23
  1. Research in seaweed and microalgae adoption in agriculture has shown contradictory results and low explanatory power
  2. Key drivers for adoption in this space include innovation advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability, and observability
  3. Successful adoption in agriculture requires identification and demonstration of active chemicals in products
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Topsoil β€’ 5 HN points β€’ 19 Apr 23
  1. Yield in agriculture is determined by numerous factors in a dynamic system, not just one element.
  2. The Genotype-by-Environment-by-Management framework helps understand how different factors interact to influence yield.
  3. Advances in technology, consumer demands, and policy may shape how we think about yield in the future beyond just volume.
Material World β€’ 2 HN points β€’ 22 Feb 23
  1. Energy is a critical driving force behind the economy, impacting everything from the production of goods to the growth of vegetables like tomatoes.
  2. The availability and cost of energy play a significant role in various industries, such as greenhouse farming for vegetables and manufacturing sectors.
  3. Energy efficiency is improving, but energy remains a crucial input for processes like producing solar panels and other advanced technologies, highlighting its importance in future advancements.
Fight to Repair β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 13 Apr 23
  1. Colorado House voted 44-16 for agricultural equipment right to repair bill, heading to Governor Polis for approval.
  2. The passing of Colorado's right to repair law marks a significant victory for the national campaign.
  3. Support from various groups, successful state laws on other repair rights, and persistent advocacy all contributed to the success of the agricultural right to repair bill.
Agribusiness Matters β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 08 Apr 23
  1. Agricultural credit usage in India differs based on land holdings, with larger holders relying more on institutional credit.
  2. Drones in agriculture have potential for spraying services and precision agriculture, with a future trajectory similar to call centers.
  3. Agritech startups are focusing on digitizing the agri-input supply chain to enhance operations and revenue growth.
Fight to Repair β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 21 Jul 22
  1. Groups are urging the EPA to investigate Deere for violating the Clean Air Act by restricting access to emissions systems for repairs, impacting farmers and repair professionals.
  2. Deere's practices of limiting repair options can result in higher costs for farmers, class action lawsuits, and long wait times for service.
  3. Under federal law, the EPA has the authority to take action against manufacturers failing to comply with emissions standards, so there's growing pressure for Deere to be held accountable.
Fight to Repair β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 02 May 22
  1. Ukrainians disabled stolen farm equipment remotely, frustrating thieving Russian troops, which highlights the intertwining of technology and agriculture in modern theft prevention.
  2. Actions like remotely disabling stolen equipment are not only about preventing theft but also about monitoring and collecting valuable agricultural data, which companies like Deere can monetize.
  3. The use of remote management and anti-theft features in agriculture equipment signifies a more intricate relationship between technology, surveillance, and protection in the farming industry.
Fight to Repair β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 11 Jan 22
  1. The CES event showcased concerning security issues with products like John Deere's autonomous tractor, raising questions about cybersecurity and potential risks posed by vulnerabilities.
  2. Deere's response to security vulnerabilities, including launching a bug bounty program, fell short in transparency and substance, indicating a lack of significant organizational change to address the issues.
  3. Other categories for the Worst In Show at CES included privacy concerns with products like the Sengled Smart Health Monitoring Lightbulb and environmental impact with items like the Samsung NFT Aggregation Platform.
Fight to Repair β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 19 Feb 21
  1. Manufacturers of agricultural equipment use scare tactics about emissions to build profitable service and repair monopolies.
  2. Unlike the automotive industry, the agricultural equipment market faces stricter restrictions regarding repairs and maintenance.
  3. Big Ag's focus on emissions control is part of a strategy to prevent right to repair laws and perpetuate a monopoly on parts and services, rather than a genuine concern for clean air.
First principles trivia β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 12 Aug 22
  1. Sri Lanka's ban on chemical fertilizers led to a collapse in rice yields, economic crisis, and social unrest due to shortages and inflation.
  2. The ban was due to concerns about fertilizer safety, but the real issue was a shortage of foreign currency reserves, impacting imports and economy.
  3. Allegations of corruption and influence by close associates may have played a role in decisions about the fertilizer ban, impacting the situation.
westafricaweekly β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 27 May 23
  1. Akwa Ibom farmers have transitioned from subsistence farming to commercial production of essential vegetables.
  2. The state government's initiatives and support have played a significant role in boosting vegetable cultivation in Akwa Ibom.
  3. Vegetables traditionally grown in Northern Nigeria are now successfully cultivated in Akwa Ibom, bridging the supply gap and promoting food security.
James Ledbetter's FIN β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 11 Mar 24
  1. Investing in farmland can be a smart long-term choice, offering consistent returns, inflation protection, and potential growth driven by global trends like population growth and innovation.
  2. Platforms like AcreTrader, FarmTogether, and Alto Marketplace are making it easier for accredited retail investors to access farmland investments as part of a diversified portfolio strategy.
  3. Despite the risks like weather impacts and limited liquidity, the interest in farmland investing is growing with the potential for significant returns over time and unique investment opportunities.
Africa Crypto Report (ACR) β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 06 Jun 23
  1. Blockchain is being used in Africa to improve transparency and efficiency in the food supply chain.
  2. eFama App by Coronet Blockchain helps farmers connect directly with buyers, ensuring product quality and eliminating intermediaries.
  3. The application aims to help farmers achieve product quality assurance, access markets directly, and build sustainable businesses.