October 11, 2025
Spotlight Stories
Spotlight 1 – Sustainability Magazine asks if agriculture and food systems can be sustainable. Ready the story, here.
Spotlight 2 – AgFunderNews carries a guest column stating that private capital is a fundamental - and underfunded - piece of global food security. Check it out, here.
Spotlight 3 – The University of Illinois takes a look at the relationship between average cash rents and soil productivity. Take a read, here.
Industry Updates
The ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF) outlined a regional plan to modernize and strengthen agricultural cooperation, with a focus on sustainable practices, resilient supply chains, and digital innovation. Two priority programs were announced, guiding ASEAN’s agricultural agenda through 2026 and beyond: the ASEAN Implementation Plan for Regenerative and Resilient Agriculture Systems, and the ASEAN One Billion Trees Growing Program Initiative. Both are seen as key steps in advancing climate-smart agriculture while positioning the region to meet growing food demand. Ministers also highlighted the importance of digital and smart agriculture solutions in improving efficiency and scaling food production, an area where private sector partnerships are expected to play a central role. [link]
In Japan, a drone-based model has been designed as a way of scaring away birds from farms using a laser light show, in order to protect against the spread of avian flu. Japanese tech giant NTT, formerly Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation, designed the drones specifically as a way of protecting poultry farms. Lasers flicker on and off to prevent any animals from getting too comfortable by staying between the gaps in the drone’s rays. The red and green colors were chosen as they are proven to ward off not just birds, but also animals such as deer – and wild boar. [link]
In a groundbreaking study poised to reshape agricultural approaches to climate change mitigation, researchers from the University of Warwick and Cranfield University have demonstrated that genetic selection in crop varieties—especially rice—can significantly curb greenhouse gas emissions without compromising yields. Extensive research has long established the role of nitrogen fertilizer in driving nitrous oxide release, however the intrinsic impact of plant genetics on GHG emissions has remained largely ambiguous—until now. Analyzing an expansive dataset comprising 180 crop genotypes across diverse global trial sites, the study disentangled the intertwined influences of genotype and fertilizer application on emissions. While nitrous oxide emissions were found to closely track nitrogen fertilizer usage—with little genetic variation influence—methane emissions showed strong dependency on genotype. This dissociation suggests a critical pivot where breeding programs can prioritize methane reduction strategies, a nuance previously unaddressed in climate-smart agriculture models. [link]
The Canadian Alliance for Net-Zero Agri-food (CANZA) is looking to sow the seeds for sustainable, regenerative agricultural practices across 365,000 acres of Canadian farmland by 2030 as part of its Million Acre Challenge. CANZA will offer participating farmers cost-sharing incentives to de-risk the move toward regenerative practices. Participating farmers in Ontario’s corn belt will initiate the challenge in 2026. It was supported with $7 million from the Weston family, which owns retailer Loblaw and Choice Properties REIT. [link]
The EPA’s Mid-Atlantic office and the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services have signed a first-of-its-kind Memorandum of Understanding to formalize their partnership and expand collaboration on sustainable agricultural practices, regulatory programs, outreach, and education. The five-year agreement aims to support well-managed, sustainable farms while protecting Virginia’s environment. The memorandum outlines shared goals to improve communication, enhance regulatory compliance, and promote environmental stewardship. The signing was followed by a roundtable discussion hosted by the Virginia Farm Bureau in Richmond with EPA, VDACS, and leaders from the state’s agriculture and forestry sectors. [link]
Modern farming practices undermine the resilience of the world’s soils, placing the global food system at risk, new research suggests. A major review of agricultural practices has concluded that while intensive techniques such as ploughing, fertilizer use and irrigation boost crop yields in the short term, their regular longer-term use can degrade soils, leaving them less able to withstand shocks such as drought, flooding or geopolitical disruption. The study, published in NPJ Sustainable Agriculture, ranked the greatest threats to soil resilience. Top of the list is elevated erosion caused by over-ploughing, overgrazing and deforestation – a process that can permanently strip away fertile ground that takes centuries to form. Also of concern are the salinization of irrigated farmland, contamination from pesticides and plastic residues, and compaction from intensive livestock farming. [link]
Tyson Foods and Cargill have agreed to pay a combined $87.5 million to settle a federal lawsuit brought by consumers who accused the companies of conspiring to inflate U.S. beef prices by restricting supply. Tyson recently agreed to pay $85 million to settle a lawsuit by consumers who accused it of conspiring with rivals to inflate pork prices. Earlier this year, JBS USA reached a $83.5 million settlement resolving price-fixing claims from ranchers and other plaintiffs, but not consumers. All companies have denied wrongdoing in each instance. [link]
Isometric has released a draft protocol for carbon dioxide removal (CDR) via Agroforestry for public consultation. This draft protocol outlines requirements and procedures for projects that remove carbon by planting or increasing forest cover integrated within agricultural landscapes. As a carbon removal pathway, Agroforestry has the potential to remove up to 310 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere each year and encompasses a range of techniques that bring trees into farming systems. This protocol was developed in line with the Isometric Standard, through collaboration between Isometric’s in-house Science Team and reviewers from Isometric’s independent Science Network of more than 300 academic experts and practitioners. Comments are welcome from interested buyers, suppliers, and scientists during the 30-day public consultation period ending on October 30. [link]
Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA) and Market Gardener Institute (MGI) announced a new collaboration aimed at providing proven regenerative agriculture practices to market gardeners and small-scale growers around the world. The partnership combines AEA’s industry-leading regenerative products and protocols with MGI’s trusted training programs, creating a powerful alliance to support the next generation of ecological farmers. The two organizations are running field trials focused on optimizing soil health and improving crop quality across a range of market garden systems. These trials are designed to provide real-world insights that directly benefit small-scale growers, helping them implement regenerative practices with confidence and clarity. [link]
Bayer announced that Cornfed Farms, a fourth-generation farm operated by the Mohr family, has been designated as the first Bayer ForwardFarm site in the Midwest and the only ForwardFarm in the United States. This recognition places Cornfed Farms as one of 16 farms around the globe, highlighted by Bayer as committed to advancing regenerative agriculture practices that ensure economic success while promoting environmental stewardship. The Mohr family has adopted a no-till/minimum till approach while also integrating intermediate crops such as CoverCress and camelina that will improve biodiversity, water retention, and nutrient cycling. Cornfed Farms also showcases some of agriculture’s latest corn and soybean products and technologies including the Preceon Smart Corn System, enabling farmers to benefit from shorter stature hybrids and data-driven insights that help mitigate risk and optimize performance in the field. [link]
Nestle said that it quit a major alliance between the world’s largest global food companies aimed at reducing methane emissions from dairy suppliers. A spokesperson from the company said that Nestle decided to discontinue its participation in the Dairy Methane Action Alliance, following a review of its external organization memberships. The alliance was launched by nonprofit advocacy group Environmental Defense Fund in 2023 to curb emissions in dairy supply chains, requiring companies to disclose methane emissions and form action plans. Nestle was a founding member, alongside other major food and beverage producers Kraft Heinz, Starbucks, Danone and General Mills, according to the group’s website. [link]
A new study in Scientific Reports projects that in Northern Italy, restoring silvoarable systems—a once-widespread agricultural practice in Europe that combines widely spaced trees with annual or perennial crops—could significantly enhance the region’s carbon sequestration capability. This finding suggests that the practice has the potential to likewise enhance carbon sequestration on farmland across the globe, resulting in a substantial reduction of agriculture’s carbon footprint. Using land-use records and historical sources covering the past century, the study reconstructs the historical role of agroforestry in Northern Italy, where it had declined precipitously since the 1950s due to industrialization and modernization of agricultural practices. Based on Monte Carlo simulations and modeling of multiple plausible scenarios, researchers at the MIT Center for Sustainability Science and Strategy (CS3) and the University of Milan (Italy) estimate that historic silvoarable systems stored an average of 75.4 tons of carbon per hectare (10,000 square meters, or about 2.5 acres), but were largely replaced with monocultures—fields in which one crop is cultivated at a time. As monocultures expanded by 77 percent, silvoarable systems declined by 97 percent. The study’s modeled projections suggest that restoring silvoarable systems could boost regional carbon sequestration by up to 12 percent, a gain comparable to afforestation strategies that would require converting 25 percent of existing farmland to new forest land. [link]
A federal U.S. government shutdown means that nearly all USDA-funded agricultural conservation work is now frozen, with 95 percent of NRCS staff furloughed and program payments paused. The Natural Resources Conservation Service provides the technical and financial backbone for conservation work on American farms. Without it, many projects like wetlands or prairie planting are stalled. This comes at a time when producers are already facing big challenges, and even short payment interruptions could deepen farmers’ economic turmoil. [link]
The European Parliament voted to prohibit the use of traditional meat-related terms for plant-based products. The vote, which passed with 355 in favor, 247 against, and 30 abstentions, effectively bans terms such as “burger,” “sausage,” “bacon,” and “steak” when used to label vegetarian and vegan foods. The proposal, which expands on previous legislation, was pushed forward by the Parliament’s Agriculture Committee. If adopted by the European Council and European Commission, it would mean that terms like “veggie burger” could no longer be used, even if the labeling clearly indicates the product contains no meat. [link]
Farm management and precision ag software startups led agrifoodtech funding in Q3 2025, thanks largely to a few big deals, including the $100 million raise from virtual fencing startup Halter. This was one glimmer against an otherwise-gloomy funding backdrop for agrifoodtech. Investment numbers across categories are still falling, dropping another 32% to $1.7 billion in the third quarter of 2025 compared to Q2 2025, according to preliminary data from AgFunder. The drop is almost a 50% decrease from the Q3 2024. Deal count is also down, with just 195 deals so far in 2025 across all categories—nearly flat compared to the previous quarter but substantially down when stacked against previous years. [link]
Through a new, first-of-its-kind partnership, Nestlé and the World Farmers’ Organization (WFO) will join efforts to help make food systems more resilient to climate change. Nestlé and the WFO will advocate for fair policies and practical solutions, such as regenerative agriculture, that empower farmers and help them adapt to climate change. The two organizations will collaborate to understand farmers’ challenges, to promote awareness of regenerative agriculture, to strengthen farmers’ capacities, and to co-develop viable farming models that can also inspire and attract the next generation of farmers. [link]
Regenified hosted its inaugural Regenerative Capital Market Day at the London Stock Exchange on October 8, convening senior leaders from pension funds, banks, insurers, sovereign wealth funds, and asset managers to examine the fast-growing role of regenerative agriculture and forestry in long-term investment strategy. The event brought together global experts from the investment community including Dr. Marc Palahí, Chief Nature Officer at Lombard Odier Investment Managers; Justin Adams OBE, founder of Ostara; Salar Shemirani, co-founder and CEO of Regenified; and Paul Young, co-founder and CEO of Conservation Resources. With the focus on case studies, evolving regulatory frameworks, and pipe-line ready projects across the UK and beyond, the presence of financial institutions alongside landowners and major buyers of agricultural produce reflected the growing consensus that regeneration is not only an environmental necessity, but also a driver of resilience and long-term value creation. [link]
Food dye manufacturers are suing the state of West Virginia in a bid to overturn a state law that bans artificial colors in food and beverages. The International Association of Color Manufacturers argued in a filing to the U.S. District Court for Southern West Virginia that the state “arbitrarily” bans dyes without scientific evidence, violating U.S. and state constitutions. West Virginia enacted legislation earlier this year prohibiting food and beverage companies from selling products with seven synthetic dyes, as well as the preservatives butylated hydroxyanisole and propylparaben, beginning in 2028. [link]
In Case You Missed It…
In late September, ADM announced the expansion of its regenerative agriculture program, re:generations, to Hungary. See more, here.