Agriculture / Agribusiness

spirulina-based smoked salmon

© SimpliiGood

New in Alt Seafood: Salmon Scent from Plants & EU Strategy to Boost Algae Production

New in alt seafood, taking place in Europe are two interesting developments: Estonian researchers are recreating the scent of salmon using plants, and the EU’s new algae strategy heralds the acceleration of sustainable, fish-free seafood.   Researchers recreate scent of salmon with plants Estonian researchers led by Dr Sirli Rosenvald from Estonia’s Center of Food and Fermentation Technologies (TFTAK) are working to recreate the unique aroma of salmon using plants in order to advance developments in alternative seafood production. The research aims to tackle Europe’s dependence on imported seafood and meet growing demand for fish in a sustainable manner: Europe imports three times more seafood than it produces, and global demand for seafood is expected to increase by 5% over this decade. According to the …

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NuCicer Chickpeas/ Legumes

©NuCicer

Agtech Startup NuCicer Closes Additional Seed Round for Ultra-High Protein Chickpeas

Agtech company NuCicer, which is creating ultra-high protein chickpeas using wild chickpea varieties, announces the close of an additional seed funding round led by Leaps by Bayer, the impact investing arm of Bayer AG.  The investment will allow NuCicer to scale production of its high-protein chickpeas, which contain 75% more protein than conventional chickpeas. The company also aims to reduce chickpea protein ingredient costs by 50% as it works to bring consumers more affordable plant proteins in 2023.  40X more diversity Co-founded by UC Davis Professor and CTO Douglas Cook, a world-renowned expert on chickpea genetics, NuCicero harnesses the extensive natural biodiversity of wild chickpeas using a machine learning and genomic breeding platform.  Wild chickpeas contain 40X more genetic diversity than commercial varieties, and NuCicer …

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Cows

Courtesy of ProVeg International

Report Says Replacing Meat With Plants Could Slash UK Agricultural Methane Emissions

Independent think tank Green Alliance has published a report outlining how the UK could cut methane emissions by 42% by the end of the decade. This figure is considerably more than the 30% commitment made by the UK and other countries at last year’s COP26 summit. Achieving it would partially depend on replacing meat and dairy products with more sustainable alternatives such as plant proteins, a move that could reduce agricultural methane emissions by 8%. Shifting towards a healthier dietary pattern, with less protein and more fresh produce, would lead to a further 8% cut. The report also outlines other ways of cutting methane production in the areas of agriculture, energy, and waste. A drastic reduction is vital, since methane has 80 times more warming …

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quorn proteins in meatballs, pasta served at a big meal

© Quorn

Quorn Regenerative Farming Initiative Educates Chefs & Farmers on Sustainable Practices

Biohub at Ings Farm is a regenerative farming initiative in the UK to educate current and aspiring chefs and farmers on sustainable farming practices. The project launched in collaboration with Quorn Professionals, the food service division of the meat-free brand; RegenFarmCo (CIC), a specialist regenerative agriculture consultancy founded by Vincent Walsh; and Yorkshire Water, the second largest landowner in Yorkshire. Levy UK + Ireland, the catering and hospitality partner of sport, leisure, heritage, and performing venues, has announced plans to join the collaboration by sponsoring Biohub at Ings Farm. At the farm, Levy UK + Ireland has the opportunity to grow its produce, which the company would use to serve at its partner venues across the UK. The company says that participating in a regenerative farming …

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Can Vertical Farming Unlock Solutions for Plant-based Meat and Dairy?  Ian Roberts, CTO of Bühler Group

Ian Roberts, Chief Technology Officer at Bühler Group, talks global sustainability, the alternative proteins and plant-based innovation market, and building key partnerships on the Plantbased Business Hour with Elysabeth Alfano. Specifically, they discuss What does Ian see as the trajectory for Plant-based Innovation and Alternative Proteins and in what time frame? How Buhler sees itself as propelling the sector forward, and what challenges are still plaguing the sector? What are Buhler’s current capital investment strategies for cultivated meat and fermented proteins? How does Buhler support the start-up community and what role does it play in the entrepreneur’s growth? Below is a short clip and transcript from their conversation. Podcast here. Display content from YouTube Click here to display content from YouTube. Learn more in YouTube’s privacy …

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Synonym Biosciences

© Synonym Biosciences

Synonym Biotechnologies Plans to Accelerate Adoption of Biomanufactured Products 

Synonym Biotechnologies of New York announces it has begun the development process of its first biomanufacturing infrastructure as a “new asset class and a new investable real estate category for a decarbonized industrial future.” Following a $6.3M pre-seed raise from a16z, Giant Ventures, Blue Horizon, Thia Ventures and other venture funds active in decarbonization, Synonym asserts its belief that biomanufacturing facilities will become an “important sustainable asset class driving 21st century industrial growth”. The company has shortlisted potential sites in the US for what it refers to as “fermentation farms” focusing on locations which offer direct grid interconnects, ready access to feedstock, and workforce availability. “Biomanufacturing will be one of the core drivers of 21st century economic development, akin to how petroleum catalysed so much …

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Sunflower Sunset

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Ctrl Alt Meat: Revolutions, Wrong Turns And Solving World Hunger

by Katie Briefel

The war in Ukraine has exacerbated a food security crisis that means over 825 million people are affected by hunger, and around 25% of greenhouse gas emissions are created by agriculture and related land use. However, the roots of this crisis extend to decades before the Ukraine war, dating back to the Green Revolution, which introduced the mass use of pesticides and the selective breeding of crops in the aftermath of World War II. The Green Revolution aimed to tackle the scourge of hunger in many countries but has failed despite its good intentions. This week I was fortunate enough to see an advance copy of a new study from the Jeremy Coller Foundation, analysing this revolution entitled: Forks in the Road: Revolutions, wrong turns …

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Biocyclic and vegan German farm

Image: The Gottschallerhof

600-Year-Old Traditional German Farm Becomes Biocyclic and Vegan

The Gottschallerhof, a family-owned German farm that has been operating since 1435, has switched to biocyclic and vegan management methods. The farm stopped rearing livestock in 2000, when farmer Nikodemus Gottschaller became uncomfortable with slaughtering animals. Five years ago, he stopped eating meat altogether and now has a mostly vegan diet. The farm currently produces mainly pumpkin products and grains. The Gottschallerhof has been managed organically since 1986, and last year it joined the German Biocyclic Vegan Association. The farm’s pumpkin seed oil is now certified by the organisation. In 1995, Gottschaller opened an organic bakery, making bread with spelt and rye from the farm along with grains from other local producers. Almost all the bread is free of animal products, and Gottschaller hopes to …

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Lantmännen

Magnus Kagevik, Group President and CEO of Lantmännen © Lantmännen

$91 Million Investment for Pea Protein Facility in Sweden Strengthens Local Production in Northern Europe

The investment of over SEK 1 billion ($91 million) in a new large-scale production facility for pea protein in Sweden strengthens Lantmännen’s leading position in the market for plant-based proteins in the Northern European market. Lantmännen is an agricultural cooperative and Northern Europe’s leader in agriculture, machinery, bioenergy, and food products. Owned by 19,000 Swedish farmers, the cooperative has a yearly revenue of about SEK 48 billion ($4.4 billion). Moreover, the Northern European food leader counts 10,000 employees and is active in more than 20 countries.  The pea proteins will complement Lantmännen’s range of sustainable grain-based proteins from wheat and oats. The new production facility is expected to be completed in early 2026. Large-scale production facility Lantmännen is now starting the detailed design of a …

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spiber spider silk

Brewed Protein silk© spiber.jp

ADM and Spiber Sign New Agreement to Support Regenerative Farming of Brewed Protein in Iowa

Agribusiness leader ADM and biotech company Spiber announce a new joint agreement to support the adoption of regenerative farming practices for Spiber’s Brewed Protein™. Through the agreement, the companies will work with corn farmers in Iowa to implement sustainable farming practices for the production of Spiber’s biomaterials.  Made from corn-based dextrose, Brewed Protein is a next-generation polymer that replaces petroleum-derived materials in a variety of applications, ranging from clothing to car seats. ADM and Spiber first partnered in 2020 to build a manufacturing facility in Clinton, IA to convert corn dextrose into Brewed Protein using ADM’s massive microbial fermentation capabilities.   Now, both companies are working to expand the environmental impact of Brewed Protein by encouraging Iowa farmers to adopt regenerative farming practices such as the …

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Veal Cow Compassion in World Farming

©Compassion in World Farming

Switzerland to Vote on Abolition of Factory Farming Next Week

The people of Switzerland will take a vote next week regarding the banning of factory farming as part of an initiative which also demands that the dignity of farm animals is protected as a constitutional requirement. Text of the initiative The text of the initiative states that the federal government would have to set stricter minimum requirements for animal-friendly housing and care, access to the outdoors, slaughtering practices and the maximum group size per pen. The requirements state that all farms would have to comply with the new rules in their animal husbandry and would apply to the import of animals and animal products as well as foods with ingredients of animal origin. “This is a fantastic opportunity for the people of Switzerland to lead …

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President Joe Biden Alternative Proteins

©The White House

President Biden Issues Executive Order Supporting the Advancement of Cultured Meat

This week, President Biden signed an executive order aimed at advancing US leadership in biotechnology and biomanufacturing, which includes exploring new innovations in the agricultural sector, and specifically mentions the advancement of alternative proteins.  In the order, Biden directs the heads of relevant government agencies to submit reports assessing diverse fields of biotechnology within 180 days to explore their potential impact on medicine, climate change, and food production. Regarding agriculture it reads:   “The Secretary of Agriculture… shall submit a report assessing how to use biotechnology and biomanufacturing for food and agriculture innovation, including by improving sustainability and land conservation; increasing food quality and nutrition; increasing and protecting agricultural yields; protecting against plant and animal pests and diseases; and cultivating alternative food sources.” Growing a “bioeconomy” …

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PBFA Logo

©Plant Based Foods Association

PBFA Launches New Institute to Drive Transition to Plant-Based Food System

The Plant Based Foods Association (PBFA) announces the launch of a sister non-profit, The Plant Based Foods Institute (PBFI.) Led by food systems experts and industry pioneers, the Institute aims to drive transition to a plant-based food system by advancing key business and policy initiatives.  While the PBFA works to expand access to plant-based foods in the marketplace, PBFI’s goal is to cultivate solutions that shift government policies, agricultural practices, and demand toward a regenerative plant-based food system. To accomplish this, the organization will work with stakeholders to identify and implement effective strategies and approaches. Its board members include: Rachel Dreskin, CEO, PBFI and PBFA Jaime Athos, CEO, The Tofurky Company Matt Dunaj, CFO & VP of Operations, Follow Your Heart Tyler Whitely, Director, Transfarmation …

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Pulses - Beans Peas and Lentils

©Pulse Canada

International Legume Society to Host Series of Public Webinars

The International Legume Society has announced a series of public webinars on topics related to legume cultivation and improvement. The webinars will take place on Microsoft Teams on a monthly basis, usually on the first Tuesday of the month. The full list is as follows: Christian Huyghe (INRAE, France) – Perspectives, opportunities, challenges and burning research issues for legume crops in Europe – Sep. 6, 2022, 4 pm CET Petr Smykal (Palacky Univ., Olomouc, Czech Republic) – Domestication history of crop grain legumes – Oct. 4, 2022, 4 pm CET Julia Buitink (INRAE, France) – Improving the seed vigour of legumes – Nov. 8, 2022, 4 pm CET Michael Nickerson (Univ. of Saskatchewan, Canada) – Pulse protein functionality, nutritional quality and utilization in the food …

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New Culture Fermented Mozzarella Cheese

© New Culture

ADM and New Culture Announce Strategic Partnership to Scale Animal-Free Mozzarella and Dairy Products

Agribusiness leader ADM and animal-free dairy company New Culture are forming a strategic partnership to accelerate the commercialization of alt-dairy foods. The partnership will include joint product development and scaling of New Culture’s animal-free casein and dairy innovations, which are expected to launch in US food service in 2023.  Founded in New Zealand, New Culture creates animal-free dairy products using precision fermentation techniques that produce casein, one of the primary proteins found in cow’s milk. By making casein without cows, New Culture offers cheese and other foods that are indistinguishable in taste and texture from traditional dairy. The new partnership will utilize ADM’s broad product development resources to accelerate New Culture’s applications. The startup will also have access to ADM’s full pantry of sustainable, plant-based …

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