The hottest Agriculture Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Age of Invention: Cash Cows

Age of Invention, by Anton Howes • 1008 implied HN points • 10 Aug 23
💾 History Agriculture
  1. Robert Bakewell had an 'improving mentality' when it came to breeding animals, focusing on optimizing profit and efficiency.
  2. Bakewell selectively bred cows and sheep to maximize valuable meat and minimize feeding costs.
  3. The improving mentality led Bakewell to continuously optimize all aspects of his farm, from animal breeding to farm layout and operations.

Farmland & Ranching in Argentina

BowTiedMara - Geoarbitrage & Mobility Assets • 176 implied HN points • 08 May 23
💼 Business Agriculture
  1. Farmland in Argentina varies in price based on region and quality, offering opportunities for investment.
  2. Argentina's agricultural landscape is diverse, with regions specializing in different crops like soy, wheat, and corn.
  3. Ranching in Argentina is significant, with a large number of farms dedicated to bovine production and potential for increased meat exports.

217 | Introduction to an illegal colourant | Tomato paste dramas | Glove safety

The Rotten Apple • 21 implied HN points • 01 Dec 25
🍲 Food & Drink Agriculture
  1. Illegal food colorants, like Auramine O, can be harmful and are often used to boost food's appearance. They can make spoiled food look better, which is dangerous for consumers.
  2. The tomato paste market is facing a potential fraud crisis due to oversupply from China and a drop in demand from Europe. This can lead to deceptive practices in food labeling and quality.
  3. PVC gloves for food handling may not be safe because they can break easily and contain harmful chemicals. There are calls to ban these gloves in favor of safer alternatives.

Solving for Climate: the podcast is back

Sustainability by numbers • 188 implied HN points • 25 Feb 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Agriculture
  1. The podcast 'Solving for Climate' is starting its second season, focusing on conversations with experts who are working on climate change solutions.
  2. Reading can help us understand important topics, like the impacts of climate change and our agricultural practices, through different perspectives and stories.
  3. Generational differences in views about climate change may be overstated, and it's important to recognize common ground instead of blaming each other.

Bringing Food Deliveries to Mars One Step at a Time

Space Ambition • 439 implied HN points • 11 Nov 22
🔬 Science Agriculture
  1. Space missions currently rely on packed food supplies, which run out and can be hard to replenish. Scientists believe that producing food in space could solve this problem, but it needs a lot of research and funding.
  2. Astronauts will need new tools to create food that works in space, like vertical farming systems and 3D printing technologies. Different projects are being funded to develop these systems for growing essential food resources in space.
  3. Government space agencies like NASA and ESA are focusing on developing technologies for sustainable food production in space, which could also help with food issues on Earth. Innovating in food production is a long-term goal that requires collaboration and investment.
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Sabotaging the Miracle Machine: The High Cost of Luddite Policies

Future History • 80 implied HN points • 15 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Agriculture
  1. Technophobia can slow down progress, leading to missed opportunities in health and technology. This means that fear can directly cost lives and advancements we could have achieved.
  2. When activists oppose new technologies like nuclear energy or stem cell research, they may be unintentionally causing more harm. The costs of inaction include more pollution and fewer medical breakthroughs.
  3. Regulations should encourage innovation rather than stall it. Thoughtful regulation allows for safer technologies while helping society benefit from new advances.

Greenhouse Gases Deadly Dance: CO2, N2O and CH4 Emissions' Alarming Card

Adetokunbo Sees • 208 implied HN points • 23 Nov 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Agriculture
  1. Carbon dioxide emissions are still rising and could reach over 41 billion tons this year, which is concerning for our climate.
  2. Methane and nitrous oxide emissions are also increasing, with agriculture being a major contributor to nitrous oxide levels.
  3. To tackle these issues, we need to cut down on fossil fuels and change how we farm and use land to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Overcoming challenges in Martian and Earth agriculture: a path to sustainable food production

Space Ambition • 219 implied HN points • 24 Mar 23
🔬 Science Agriculture
  1. Growing food on Mars will be challenging. Scientists need to consider energy needs, special farming techniques, and the importance of making the environment attractive for all settlers.
  2. For a permanent Mars colony, it’s better to produce most food on-site rather than bringing it from Earth. This means finding ways to efficiently grow food using available Martian resources.
  3. Advancements in technology, like genetic engineering and farm automation, are crucial. These innovations can help make food production sustainable both on Mars and here on Earth.

Glyphosate - Drying Agent and Herbicide for Soy and Wheat and its Potential Health Impacts

Molecular Spectacular • 168 implied HN points • 13 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Agriculture
  1. Glyphosate, a common herbicide, has been linked to health risks like increased cancer risk and endocrine disruption. Many studies suggest a troubling connection between glyphosate levels in humans and serious health issues.
  2. Soy protein consumption is strongly connected to higher levels of glyphosate's byproduct, AMPA, in urine. This indicates that what we eat can affect how much of these chemicals we accumulate in our bodies.
  3. There are hints that glyphosate might disrupt gut health, which could impact digestion of gluten. This might be related to rising gluten allergies, especially in sensitive populations like infants.

Sowing Solidarity: How Lebanon’s Wineries Remain Rooted

Vittles • 159 implied HN points • 11 Nov 24
🍲 Food & Drink Agriculture
  1. Lebanon's wineries are facing tough times due to conflict and destruction. Many winemakers are shifting their focus from producing wine to supporting their communities.
  2. The connection to the land is really important for these winemakers. They feel a strong pride in their heritage and want to preserve their agricultural traditions amidst the chaos.
  3. Support from abroad is crucial for the survival of Lebanon's wine industry. Winemakers need strong export partnerships to keep their businesses alive as local markets struggle.

The Thousand Secret Ways the Food is Poison: Part 1

Eat Shit and Prosper • 259 implied HN points • 25 Oct 22
🍲 Food & Drink Agriculture
  1. Pay attention to your gut health. The bacteria in your gut help process food and can affect your mental and physical health.
  2. Many foods today contain harmful substances like Roundup. To stay healthy, try to eat organic and avoid processed foods that might have these toxins.
  3. Avoid antibiotics unless necessary. They can disrupt your gut bacteria, which help detoxify your body from heavy metals and other harmful substances.

In Recorded Conversation, A John Deere Dealer Talks Up Predatory Design

Fight to Repair • 78 implied HN points • 06 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Agriculture
  1. A John Deere dealership employee was caught on tape discussing the possibility of using software updates to block third-party competitors from working with John Deere equipment.
  2. The mention of using software updates to push out competition raises questions about anti-competitive behavior, which could potentially violate U.S. antitrust laws.
  3. The conversation highlights the importance of 'Right to Repair' legislation and the need for transparency from major agricultural equipment manufacturers in creating an open and competitive precision agriculture ecosystem.

The Thousand Secret Ways the Food is Poison: Part II

Eat Shit and Prosper • 239 implied HN points • 21 Nov 22
🍲 Food & Drink Agriculture
  1. Glyphosate, a common herbicide, may not be as safe as people think because it harms gut bacteria that help produce key chemicals like serotonin and dopamine. This suggests it might negatively impact our health in ways we don't fully understand.
  2. There are strong correlations between rising glyphosate use in food and the increase in various chronic diseases over the years. While correlation doesn't prove cause, the data shows a troubling link worth investigating.
  3. Certain gut bacteria need substances that glyphosate prevents them from making, which could lead to deficiencies in important vitamins. This disruption in our microbiome may contribute to health issues like depression and other diseases.

Oh Good, Screwworms Are Back

Marginally Compelling • 29 implied HN points • 17 Jul 25
🔬 Science Agriculture
  1. Screwworms are a dangerous pest that can harm livestock and humans by laying eggs in their open wounds. Their return is a worrying issue that many are talking about.
  2. Scientists once used a method called the sterile insect technique to eradicate screwworms, which involved breeding and sterilizing them to reduce their population.
  3. Current problems like Covid and ineffective management have allowed screwworms to make a comeback, turning a solved issue into a potential new crisis.

Robots for Morocco earthquake, sustainability, choreography, agriculture, investment and IPOs

Robots & Startups • 59 implied HN points • 09 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Agriculture
  1. Robots are being developed for various applications like earthquake response, sustainability, choreography, agriculture, investment, and IPOs.
  2. The robotics industry is exploring autonomous functions in trucking, driving, flying, bartending, education, fashion, and fast food.
  3. Key articles on interesting topics include one about Doosan and Bear Robotics, the NIST economic analysis of US manufacturing, and Madeline Gannon's robotic choreography installation in Miami.

My TED Talk is now live

Sustainability by numbers • 241 implied HN points • 22 Sep 23
🔬 Science Agriculture
  1. We can improve human wellbeing while tackling environmental problems together.
  2. Global progress has been made in reducing child mortality and extreme poverty.
  3. Transitioning to renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, is becoming more affordable and can help combat air pollution.

Saturday Sprouting Reads (Tribal Superfoods, Big 6 Platform-Ecosystem Agritech Gameplays, 75 Years of Herbicides)

Agribusiness Matters • 39 implied HN points • 04 Mar 23
💼 Business Agriculture
  1. The article discusses 3 tribal superfoods from India that might become popular in 2023.
  2. It explores the strategies of big agritech companies in building ecosystems and platforms.
  3. The text reflects on the history of herbicides over 75 years, focusing on challenges like resistance and the need for innovation.

The Agtech Disruption Myth

Prime Future • 19 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
💼 Business Agriculture
  1. Not all agtech investments have led to clear disruption in the industry.
  2. The impact of disruptive technologies in agtech may not be measured by the number of fallen giants.
  3. There is a need for a new ethos to guide agtech innovations in the coming decade.

How would you improve food in the UK?

Vittles • 110 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
🍲 Food & Drink Agriculture
  1. Minimum Wage Tied to Cost of Food: Consider including the cost of food in minimum wage and benefit calculations to ensure everyone can afford to eat.
  2. Reform Universal Credit: Reforming the Universal Credit system can help end the reliance on food aid and inconsistent income, promoting food security for all.
  3. Agroecology Development Officers: Implementing Agroecology Development Officers can help transition to more sustainable agroecological food systems with regional collaboration.

Making America

KERFUFFLE • 39 implied HN points • 28 Nov 24
💾 History Agriculture
  1. Farming in the American West was much harder than expected. People thought that farming would bring more rain, but this idea was wrong, leading to failures for many farmers.
  2. The Homestead Act gave out 160 acres of land, but that wasn't enough for farming in the West. The dry climate made it tough to grow crops without proper water sources.
  3. Native Americans had a better way of life in the West because they adapted to the natural conditions. They used horses, which helped them thrive on the harsh Great Plains.

Fight to Repair Daily: Friday, September 30, 2022

Fight to Repair • 39 implied HN points • 30 Sep 22
🌞 Climate & Environment Agriculture
  1. Statehouses are addressing agricultural repair issues as Congress stalls; focus on complex farm equipment repair and fair requirements
  2. New federal funds support increased antitrust enforcement in agriculture, improving competition in the livestock industry through collaboration with state attorneys general
  3. Solar panel e-waste management gains attention as more panels enter the waste stream; emergence of producer responsibility standards to address recycling challenges

199 | Olive Crisis Update (is it over now?) | A Comprehensive Guide to Glass Management |

The Rotten Apple • 10 implied HN points • 28 Jul 25
🍲 Food & Drink Agriculture
  1. Olive oil is often targeted by fraudsters because it's valuable and has many grades, making it hard for people to tell what's real. Buying from trusted vendors can help reduce the risk of fraud.
  2. The olive oil industry faced a crisis due to climate change and diseases like Xylella fastidiosa, which caused significant crop losses. While harvests are recovering, ongoing challenges from pests and droughts remain.
  3. Recently, the number of reported olive oil fraud cases has increased, especially during times of high prices. As supplies improve and prices stabilize, fraud rates might go down, but olive oil will always be at risk.

Were We Expelled from Egalitarian Eden Not by the Pomegranate, But by the Plough and the Ox? Perhaps...

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 76 implied HN points • 25 Feb 24
💾 History Agriculture
  1. The shift from gatherer-hunter lifestyles to farming and domestication of animals may have contributed to the emergence of enduring economic inequality.
  2. Increased civilizational complexity led to a rise in potential wealth inequalities, possibly through factors like tools, farm implements, domesticated animals, serfdom, and slavery.
  3. Exploring the dimensions of wealth acquisition and accumulation, such as tools, farmstead implements, animals, serfdom, and slavery, can help understand the expansion of possible wealth inequalities.

Making sense of Mineral.ai

Agribusiness Matters • 19 implied HN points • 23 Mar 23
💼 Business Agriculture
  1. Conway's Law states that an organization's system design mirrors its communication structure.
  2. Market conditions in agriculture shape organizations and products specific to that domain.
  3. Mineral.ai evolved from an agriculture-tech project at Google X to a company addressing computational agriculture at scale.

GreenLight Biosciences

axialdaily • 19 implied HN points • 03 Apr 23
🔬 Science Agriculture
  1. Axial partners with early-stage life sciences companies to invest in their vision and help them grow.
  2. GreenLight Biosciences uses cell-free RNA manufacturing for human health and agriculture, bringing down costs and expanding applications.
  3. GreenLight is transitioning their manufacturing scale from dsRNA to mRNA for vaccines and gene therapies.

What do people think about cultured meat?

The Counterfactual • 59 implied HN points • 17 Aug 22
🍲 Food & Drink Agriculture
  1. Consumer acceptance of cultured meat varies widely. Some people are very open to trying it, while others are quite resistant and refuse even to consider it.
  2. Concerns about the unnaturalness and safety of cultured meat are significant barriers to its acceptance. Many people are worried about how it is made, even if it tastes similar to traditional meat.
  3. Economic factors are key in determining whether people will choose cultured meat over conventional options. If the price of cultured meat becomes competitive, it could lead to more widespread adoption.

Homesteading 101: Regenerative Farming and the American Farmer.

Who is Robert Malone • 19 implied HN points • 18 Dec 24
🍲 Food & Drink Agriculture
  1. Regenerative farming focuses on improving soil health and biodiversity. This means farming in a way that restores and enriches the land instead of depleting it.
  2. Historically, farming practices have prioritized sustainability and self-sufficiency. Learning from past generations can guide modern farming efforts toward eco-friendliness.
  3. Homesteading encourages individuals to take responsibility for their food production. It's about being productive and connected to the land, which can also bring satisfaction and peace.

Fight to Repair Daily: Monday October 17, 2022

Fight to Repair • 19 implied HN points • 18 Oct 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Agriculture
  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.

What (some) people think about cultured meat

The Counterfactual • 19 implied HN points • 27 Mar 23
🍲 Food & Drink Agriculture
  1. Disgust sensitivity and gender are important factors in whether people want to try cultured meat. Generally, men are more willing than women, and those who feel more disgusted are less likely to try it.
  2. How people feel about cultured meat really matters. If they express positive feelings, they're more likely to want to try it and even pay extra for it.
  3. Even with different factors considered, only about 25% of what makes people willing to try cultured meat can be explained. This shows there's still a lot to discover about what influences these decisions.

178 | Global Food Fraud Trends | Honey Rules |

The Rotten Apple • 10 implied HN points • 03 Mar 25
🍲 Food & Drink Agriculture
  1. Food fraud incidents have remained stable over recent years, with no significant changes in the types of fraud reported. This means the same food items are often targeted year after year.
  2. Honey has become a bigger focus in food fraud discussions, with new regulations in place for imported honey to ensure its quality and authenticity in Europe.
  3. More reporting and attention from regulatory bodies may lead to an increase in reported incidents, but this doesn't necessarily mean there's more fraud happening; it might just reflect better tracking.

168 | What's Going on With Italian-Chinese Tomato Puree? | GM to the Rescue |

The Rotten Apple • 10 implied HN points • 09 Dec 24
🍲 Food & Drink Agriculture
  1. Some Italian tomato purees sold in the UK and Germany might contain Chinese tomatoes, raising questions about food labeling and consumer trust. It's not clear if this is legally fraudulent or just a complicated supply chain issue.
  2. There are concerns that tomato suppliers from China may use forced labor, which complicates the legal responsibilities for retailers. Supermarkets need to be aware of their suppliers' practices to avoid compliance issues.
  3. Sugar taxes in some American cities have shown to effectively reduce purchases of sugary drinks, especially among lower-income households. This indicates that financial incentives can change consumer behavior.

Farm State Firestorm Over Repair

Fight to Repair • 39 implied HN points • 12 Feb 21
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Agriculture
  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.