Extreme heat and drought cause significant declines in Austrian grain maize, soy, and potato harvests, prompting government support.

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 25 (Bernama) — Technology in the agricultural sector can only be considered successful if its adoption increases crop yields and boosts farmers’ income, says Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu. He said this was among the approaches discussed at the 11th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Food Security Ministerial Meeting …

(Beyond Pesticides, December 14, 2022) Ultraviolet (UV-C) light has the potential to successfully manage mite (Tetranychus urticae) populations without reducing yields or resorting to toxic pesticides, according to research published by scientists at University of Florida. “Since very few miticides (sprays) are currently effective in suppressing twospotted spider mites in strawberries, the use of UV light provides an effective physical control method that can be used in fields and in high-tunnel strawberry production systems,” says study author Sriyanka Lahiri, PhD. The findings provide an encouraging technique for farmers, but further investigation is needed to observe the success of this approach in other cropping systems.   Researchers compared the efficacy of four treatment approaches, including use of the insecticide spinetoram, a low powered application of UV-C light twice a week, a high-powered application of UV-C light twice a week, and an untreated control. Researchers also looked closely at mite egg hatchability by rearing eggs in the laboratory and then transferring them out to the field for treatment with UV-C light. Results were not consistent across the two-year trial as researchers indicate that in most of the field trials, no effect was seen due to low levels of natural infestation. However, during […]

<p>A comprehensive global study published in Nature on June 18, 2025, warns that climate change could significantly reduce crop yields worldwide, potentially threatening global food security. The rese...

Producers express concern over drought as potato inventories decline but cattle prices remain strong.

Researchers advocate for more precise methods to estimate crop yield potential and gaps, emphasizing the need for region-specific data to enhance global food security.

More frequent hot weather and droughts have dealt a significant blow to crop yields, especially for key grains like wheat, barley, and maize, according to a Stanford study published this week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

SYDNEY, April 30 (Bernama-Xinhua) — Replacing part of synthetic nitrogen fertiliser with small amounts of organic inputs can improve soil quality, crop yields and nutrient efficiency, a study has found, as West Asia tensions disrupt global supplies, reported Xinhua. The study, led by the University of Western Australia (UWA), comes as around 60 per cent of global urea-based nitrogen fertiliser supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz, where geopolitical disruptions have tightened supply and raised costs for Australian growers, said a UWA statement released Thursday. “Australian growers are seeking efficient use of fertiliser to ensure economic growth and food security,” […]

Agriculture expert shares insights on crop forecasts and emerging pest challenges this season.

Researchers have discovered a unique molecular feature in hornwort plants that could help increase crop efficiency. The small protein component, named RbcS-STAR, modifies the key photosynthesis enzyme Rubisco, causing it to cluster into dense structures within plant cells. Rubisco is essential for capturing carbon dioxide during photosynthesis but is naturally slow and prone to interacting with oxygen, which reduces plant growth efficiency. By forming these concentrated compartments, Rubisco operates more efficiently. Experiments showed that introducing RbcS-STAR into other plants, including Arabidopsis, triggered the same clustering effect, suggesting the protein could function across multiple plant species. This discovery offers a potential path to engineering crops like wheat and rice to improve photosynthesis and increase yields. While the clustering mechanism shows promise, researchers caution that plants must also efficiently deliver carbon dioxide to Rubisco for full effectiveness. Future work will focus on integrating this carbon delivery system, potentially enabling more sustainable agricultural production with higher yields and reduced environmental impact.

Farmers report mixed results in crop harvests due to severe drought and pest issues.

Canadian farmers set new records for wheat and canola production, meat prices push up this year's grocery costs, and Bangladesh outpaces the usual suspect to be Canada's top wheat buyer. It's your nat...

From floods to droughts, erratic weather patterns are affecting food security, with crop yields projected to fall if changes are not made

Climate change has already held back global yields of wheat, maize, and barley by as much as 13% over the past 50 years—compared to what they would have been in a world without warming—although Canada...

English farmers have been contending with the driest July ever recorded by the Met Office

Severe weather, shifting trade policies, and a lack of support for small farmers are driving coffee prices sky high. Without urgent investment, your daily brew could become a luxury.