Latest news with #sustainableFarming
ABC News
14-07-2025
- Science
- ABC News
Hardy, 'eco-friendly' Nguni cattle may be a value breed as climate changes
Farmers and researchers hope the birth of a new generation of hardier, more heat-resistant cattle on a West Australian farm will spur the breed's adoption across the country. Originally from Eastern Africa, Nguni cattle are bred to survive in tough landscapes, which advocates say makes them ideal for regional Australia. The new herd was born on Whitby Falls Farm, run by Murdoch University south of Perth, to educate veterinary students and research the breed. Murdoch University animal reproduction expert and research lead Pete Irons said Nguni cattle had adapted over many centuries to harsh environments. "They're very light on the land … they're very efficient at utilising resources … their ability to conserve nitrogen [and] recycle nitrogen in their bodies is all very highly developed," he said. The cattle's skin contains an oily substance that reflects the sun's rays, and they are also able to regulate their body temperature very effectively. Dr Irons said these characteristics contributed to the breed's ability to tolerate tough conditions, making them a desirable livestock option in drought and heatwave-prone regions like WA. "[They're also] highly disease resistant and very fertile," he said. "So despite being in very harsh environments, they're able to breed and reproduce very successfully." Nguni breeder Ed Rous said they produced less methane than other breeds, and were the best cattle for any sustainable farming operation. The red-meat industry recently abandoned its target of net-zero emissions by 2030, claiming the goal was not possible. However, Dr Irons said the beef industry needed to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, and the Nguni offered an environmentally friendly step in the right direction. "Anything we can do to address [those emissions] by creatively using different breeds of animals with unique genetics like this and farming efficiently … that will, by its very nature, reduce methane emissions," he said. "This breed has real advantages here in Western Australia that the farming community should take seriously, especially as we move more and more into drought conditions [and] resource constraints. "We think it's a breed we should be looking at." Mr Rous said while interest in breeding Nguni cattle had been growing, the market remained focused on larger breeds such as Angus and Hereford. "I feel the place in the sun for the Nguni is definitely more sustainable operations where people are farming paddock to plate because of their good meat … you can value-add by selling the product directly yourself," he said. Mr Rous said he hoped research, like the studies being done by Murdoch University, would raise awareness about the breed. "I have no doubt that they are capable of doing exceptionally well and they've proven to me that they [can], but I'm hoping we get more and more Australians interested in them," he said. Murdoch student vet Caitlin Cooper said she expected the breed to have a "huge impact" moving forward. "They truly are [the ultimate survivors] … they're tick resistant, heat resistant and in this current climate we need a resistant breed," she said. "It's just about getting the word out about the Ngunis because I think that's the way into the future."
Associated Press
03-07-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Market to Reach USD 2.6 Billion by 2030, Driven by Rising Global Food Demand
DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul 3, 2025-- The 'Agricultural Surfactants - A Global Market Overview' report has been added to offering. Global agricultural surfactants market size is valued at US$1.8 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach US$2.6 billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 6.5% over the forecast period 2024-2030. The agricultural surfactants market is primarily driven by the growing demand for enhanced crop protection and increased agricultural productivity in response to rising global food requirements. Surfactants improve the efficiency of herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers by enhancing their spread, penetration, and adhesion, thereby reducing chemical wastage and input costs. Raising farmer awareness about how surfactants enhance fertilizer efficiency, improve soil conditions, and minimize water drift also aids in market growth. The shift towards sustainable farming is driving the development of bio-based, biodegradable surfactants that comply with environmental regulations and eco-toxicological standards. Agricultural Surfactant Regional Market Analysis North America holds the largest share of the global agricultural surfactants market, with 31.5% in 2024. This growth is driven by extensive large-scale farming and a significant adoption of innovative, sustainable agricultural technologies. The region benefits from robust agrochemical manufacturing sectors, precision farming practices, and strong research and development initiatives focused on creating eco-friendly surfactants. Stringent environmental regulations further boost the demand for products that minimize chemical waste and improve the efficiency of pesticides and fertilizers. The region's emphasis on enhancing agricultural yield while minimizing ecological effects drives its market leadership. Conversely, the Asia-Pacific region is experiencing the fastest growth rate with a CAGR of 7.9% during the forecast period 2024-2030, driven by rapid modernization, extensive arable land, and increasing food demand in nations such as China and India. Government programs, increased farmer awareness, and the adoption of precision agriculture methods are crucial factors for growth. Agricultural Surfactants Market Analysis by Type The non-ionic surfactants segment leads the agricultural surfactants market by type, with an estimated 36% share in 2024, owing to its broad compatibility with pesticides and its excellent dispersant, wetting, and spreading capabilities. Their neutral nature reduces surface tension, which enhances the efficacy of herbicides and pesticides while providing stability in cold water and maintaining low toxicity levels. Specialty types such as organosilicone surfactants improve performance and increase their usage in crop protection and nutrient management. On the other hand, the amphoteric surfactants segment is expected to record the fastest CAGR of 7.9% from 2024 to 2030. This growth is fueled by the ability to shift charge depending on pH, making them highly adaptable in both acidic and alkaline environments. This adaptability supports the increasing demand for sustainable, biodegradable, and cost-effective agricultural inputs. This versatility reinforces their role as a key growth catalyst, complementing the established dominance of nonionic surfactants in the market. Agricultural Surfactants Market Analysis by Substrate The synthetic surfactants segment dominates the agricultural surfactants market, capturing a 69.4% share in 2024, owing to their versatility, cost-effectiveness, and widespread compatibility with agrochemicals. These surfactants act as wetting agents, dispersants, and emulsifiers, thereby enhancing the efficacy of pesticide applications, boosting absorption, and minimizing chemical usage. Their stability, excellent dispersion properties, and low phytotoxicity render them crucial in the formulations of herbicides, especially in post-emergence applications. In contrast, bio-based surfactants are the fastest-growing segment, expected to register a 7.8% CAGR through 2030, driven by increasing environmental awareness and rising demand for sustainable agricultural solutions. Derived from renewable sources such as plant oils and microorganisms, bio-based surfactants offer biodegradability, lower toxicity, and compatibility with diverse formulations. They also contribute to improved soil health, pollutant biodegradation, and plant-microbe interactions. This growing preference for eco-friendly alternatives reflects regulatory pressures and shifting consumer priorities, positioning bio-based surfactants as a key driver of future market expansion alongside the established synthetic segment. Agricultural Surfactants Market Analysis by Crop Type The cereals and grains segment leads the agricultural surfactants market, with a 40.4% revenue share in 2024, driven by the extensive cultivation of staple crops such as corn, wheat, and rice, which require significant use of agrochemicals. The large acreage dedicated to these crops in regions such as Asia and North America sustains high surfactant consumption to enhance pesticide absorption, spreading, and adhesion, ensuring crop protection and higher yields. In contrast, the fruits and vegetables segment is the fastest-growing, projected to expand at a CAGR of 7% from 2024 to 2030. This growth is driven by increasing global demand fueled by health consciousness and a preference for high-quality, visually attractive produce. Surfactants used in fruits and vegetable crops enhance the effectiveness of fungicides and pesticides, which are crucial for protected farming and greenhouse operations while also minimizing post-harvest losses. The increasing focus on premium-quality, residue-free crops further drives the utilization of surfactants, with bio-based alternatives becoming more popular due to their sustainability and biodegradability advantages. Agricultural Surfactants Market Analysis by Application The herbicides segment dominates the agricultural surfactants market, with a 47.9% share in 2024, driven by its critical role in improving spray coverage, droplet retention, and penetration. Major agricultural producers like India, China, Brazil, and Argentina rely on herbicides such as glyphosate and glufosinate, making surfactants essential for effective large-scale weed control. By enhancing adhesion and uniform distribution on plant surfaces, surfactants improve herbicide efficacy, potentially lowering chemical input and minimizing environmental impact. This strong dependence underpins the segment's market dominance, which is expected to persist amid rising demand for efficient and cost-effective weed control solutions. In contrast, the fungicides segment is anticipated to experience the fastest CAGR of 7% between 2024 and 2030. This growth is driven by increasing awareness among farmers regarding the importance of surfactants in improving the absorption and effectiveness of systemic fungicides. The rising incidence of fungal diseases, the impact of climate change, and the adoption of integrated pest management practices are all contributing to the growing demand for fungicide surfactants. Ongoing innovation and product development in the industry continues to enhance fungicide delivery and crop protection results, particularly for high-value crops. Agricultural Surfactants Market Report Scope This global report on Agricultural Surfactant analyzes the market based on type, substrate, crop type, and application for the period 2021-2030 with projections from 2024 to 2030 in terms of value in US$. In addition to providing profiles of major companies operating in this space, the latest corporate and industrial developments have been covered to offer a clear panorama of how and where the market is progressing. Key Attributes: Global Market Overview Global Agricultural Surfactants Market Overview by Type Global Agricultural Surfactants Market Overview by Substrate Global Agricultural Surfactants Market Overview by Crop Type Global Agricultural Surfactants Market Overview by Application Companies Featured Key Metrics For more information about this report visit About is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. View source version on CONTACT: Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 KEYWORD: INDUSTRY KEYWORD: CHEMICALS/PLASTICS AGRICULTURE NATURAL RESOURCES MANUFACTURING SOURCE: Research and Markets Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 07/03/2025 10:06 AM/DISC: 07/03/2025 10:06 AM
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Regenerative Agriculture Market to Reach USD 30.3 Billion by 2032 - Exclusive Report by Meticulous Research®
Climate-Smart Farming Practices, Soil Health Enhancement, and Carbon Sequestration Drive 14.2% CAGR Growth Across Agricultural Sectors Worldwide REDDING, Calif., June 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The regenerative agriculture market is valued at USD 10.63 billion in 2024. This market is estimated to reach USD 30.3 billion in 2032 from USD 11.98 billion in 2025, at a CAGR of 14.2%, according to the latest research report "Regenerative Agriculture Market Size, Share, Forecast, & Trends Analysis by Practice (Agroforestry, Biochar & Terra Preta) Product Type (Cover Crops, Cash Crops, Perennial Crops), Application (Biodiversity), End-user (Farmers) - Global Forecast to 2032", published by Meticulous Research®. This growth reflects the agricultural industry's fundamental transformation toward sustainable, climate-resilient farming systems that restore soil health, enhance biodiversity, and sequester carbon while maintaining productive yields and economic viability. Access your FREE sample report: Climate Crisis Drives Agricultural Transformation The regenerative agriculture market stands at the forefront of addressing global climate challenges, driven by farmers' urgent need to adopt sustainable practices that restore ecosystem health while ensuring food security for a growing global population. Soil Health Revolution Creates Resilient Food Systems Agricultural producers worldwide are implementing regenerative practices that rebuild soil organic matter, enhance water retention capacity, and restore natural nutrient cycling. Cover cropping, rotational grazing, and reduced tillage systems create healthier soil microbiomes that support increased crop yields while sequestering atmospheric carbon dioxide. Carbon Sequestration Unlocks New Revenue Streams The emergence of carbon credit markets provides farmers with additional income opportunities for implementing regenerative practices that remove CO2 from the atmosphere. Agricultural carbon sequestration programs, including those established by major corporations and government initiatives, incentivize widespread adoption of soil-building practices across diverse farming operations. Government Policies Accelerate Sustainable Agriculture Adoption National climate action plans, including the European Union's Green Deal and the United States' climate-smart agriculture initiatives, provide substantial policy support and financial incentives for farmers adopting regenerative technologies. These programs recognize sustainable agriculture as critical for achieving carbon neutrality goals and enhancing rural economic development. Practice Integration Drives Market Leadership Across Segments Cover Cropping Emerges as Fastest-Growing Practice Cover cropping represents the fastest-growing regenerative practice category, leveraging advances in seed technology, species selection, and precision planting equipment to maximize soil health benefits. The versatility of cover crops across applications including nitrogen fixation, soil erosion prevention, and weed suppression makes them essential components in modern farming systems. Precision agriculture technologies and soil monitoring systems complement cover crop deployments by providing real-time data on soil health metrics and optimizing seeding rates and species selection throughout growing seasons. Crop Production Applications Lead Market Revenue Crop production applications account for the largest market share, driven by regenerative practices' ability to enhance soil fertility, reduce input costs, and improve crop resilience to climate variability. No-till farming systems, integrated pest management, and diverse crop rotations revolutionize field management while maintaining productive yields. The increasing consumer demand for sustainably produced food creates sustained market opportunities for regeneratively grown crops. Industry leaders including General Mills, Danone, and Nestlé continue investing heavily in regenerative agriculture supply chains, sustainable sourcing programs, and farmer training initiatives. Explore customization options: Food and Beverage Industry Pioneers Regenerative Sourcing Consumer Goods Sector Demonstrates Market Leadership The food and beverage industry maintains its position as the largest end-user segment, building on decades of sustainability commitments to implement comprehensive regenerative sourcing strategies. Modern food production systems integrate regenerative agriculture principles throughout supply chains, from ingredient sourcing to packaging and distribution networks. Plant-based food production introduces new opportunities for regenerative agriculture through diverse crop rotations, soil-building legumes, and innovative protein sources that enhance agricultural sustainability while meeting evolving consumer preferences. Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Industries Show Rapid Growth Trajectory The pharmaceutical and nutraceutical sectors exhibit high growth potential as demand for naturally derived compounds and botanical ingredients requires sustainable cultivation practices. Regenerative agriculture enables consistent quality of medicinal plants while preserving biodiversity and traditional knowledge systems essential for pharmaceutical research and development. Regional Dynamics Shape Global Market Evolution North America Establishes Regenerative Agriculture Leadership North America dominates the global regenerative agriculture market, leveraging extensive agricultural infrastructure in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The region's commitment to climate-smart agriculture, combined with substantial government investments in conservation programs, positions North America for continued market leadership throughout the forecast period. Rapid adoption across Midwest grain production and Great Plains ranching operations creates significant growth opportunities as these agricultural systems demonstrate regenerative practices' economic and environmental benefits. The focus on carbon sequestration and soil health drives accelerated implementation across diverse farming enterprises. Europe and Asia-Pacific Advance Innovation Developed markets in Europe lead innovation in regenerative agriculture technologies while addressing food security challenges through sustainable intensification strategies. These regions demonstrate sophisticated implementations of precision agriculture systems and pioneering applications of biological soil amendments. Asia-Pacific markets show tremendous growth potential as smallholder farmers adopt regenerative practices supported by government programs and international development initiatives. Countries including India, China, and Australia implement large-scale regenerative agriculture programs that enhance food security while addressing climate change mitigation goals. Technology Innovation Unlocks Future Opportunities Precision Agriculture Integration Optimizes Regenerative Practices The convergence of regenerative agriculture with precision farming technologies enables data-driven decision-making for optimal practice implementation. GPS-guided equipment, soil sensors, and satellite monitoring systems provide farmers with detailed information for maximizing regenerative practices' effectiveness while maintaining operational efficiency. Biological Solutions Transform Soil Health Management Advanced microbial inoculants, biofertilizers, and biological pest control products enhance soil health restoration while reducing synthetic input dependencies. These biological solutions work synergistically with regenerative practices to accelerate soil organic matter development and improve nutrient cycling efficiency. View complete market analysis: Key Players in Regenerative Agriculture Market The regenerative agriculture market features intense collaboration among agricultural input companies, technology providers, and sustainability-focused organizations. Leading players include Cargill Inc. (USA), Bayer AG (Germany), Syngenta Group (Switzerland), Corteva Inc. (USA), Nutrien Ltd. (Canada), Yara International ASA (Norway), FMC Corporation (USA), BASF SE (Germany), Archer Daniels Midland Company (USA), General Mills Inc. (USA), Danone S.A. (France), and Nestlé S.A. (Switzerland). Related Reports: Precision Agriculture Market Size, Share, Forecast, & Trends Analysis Biodiversity and Natural Capital Credit Market Size, Share, Forecast, & Trends Analysis Agricultural Biologicals Market Size, Share, Forecast, & Trends Analysis Certified Organic Agricultural Inputs Market Trends 2025–2032 About Meticulous Research® Meticulous Research® was founded in 2010 and incorporated as Meticulous Market Research Pvt. Ltd. in 2013 as a private limited company under the Companies Act, 1956. Since its incorporation, the company has become the leading provider of premium market intelligence, strategic insights, and consulting services to serve clients across 11 major industries globally. Meticulous Research® offers comprehensive market research reports, custom research, and consulting services. Our research studies help clients make informed business decisions and understand emerging business trends and opportunities. The company's expertise spans across various domains, enabling it to provide accurate insights and strategic recommendations to its clients. Contact:Mr. Khushal BombeMeticulous Market Research Pvt. Ltd.1267 Willis St, Ste 200 Redding,California, 96001, +1-646-781-8004Europe: +44-203-868-8738APAC: +91 744-7780008Email: sales@ Source: Logo: View original content: SOURCE Meticulous Market Research Pvt. Ltd. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Associated Press
09-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
GROWN CLIMATE SMART MARKS YEAR TWO IMPACT, EARNS CONTINUED SUPPORT UNDER USDA'S AMP INITIATIVE
Grown Climate Smart expands impact with over $10.3M in grower incentives and continues under USDA's newly renamed Advancing Markets initiative. CLINTON, WI, UNITED STATES, June 9, 2025 / / -- Grown Climate Smart, a fully owned subsidiary of The DeLong Co., Inc. and a USDA Advancing Markets for Producers (formerly Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities) awardee announces the successful completion of its second year. The program continues to empower growers to adopt and advance regenerative agriculture practices, strengthening leadership and innovation across the agricultural community. Following the recent transition of the USDA's Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program to the Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP) initiative, The DeLong Co.'s Grown Climate Smart has been selected to continue under this renewed framework. After a program-wide review, Grown Climate Smart met or exceeded all thresholds outlined by the current USDA, including timely producer enrollment and direct payment benchmarks. This recognition affirms Grown Climate Smart's continued alignment with USDA priorities, including the delivery of federal funds directly to producers and the development of strong, scalable markets for regeneratively grown commodities. Building on the achievements of its inaugural year, Grown Climate Smart enrolled 200 growers from eight states in 2024, encompassing more than 360,000 acres committed to regenerative farming. The program distributed over $10.3 million in direct incentive payments to growers, reinforcing its mission to support sustainable agriculture. These incentives promote the adoption and continuation of practices such as cover cropping, reduced or no-till farming, and nutrient management plans. 'We are proud of the progress made during our second year,' stated Matt Woods, General Manager of Grown Climate Smart. 'The increase in both grower participation and acreage reflects a growing commitment within the farming community to implement regenerative and sustainable practices. This year's results demonstrate the program's ongoing impact in enhancing soil health and improving the resilience and marketability of row crops.' Among the notable accomplishments of enrolled growers in 2024: • 71% of enrolled growers integrated cover crops, marking a 12% increase from 2023. • 94% of participants implemented reduced or no-till farming, a 3% rise from 2023. • 67% of growers incorporated nutrient management plans, a 19% year-over-year increase. • 86% of enrolled growers participated in two or more climate-smart practices, 16% more than 2023. Grown Climate Smart also expanded its brand recognition and exposure among consumers, with more companies adopting the Grown Climate Smart logo for their products in 2024. There are now more than 40 product SKUs featuring the Grown Climate Smart brand, available in a variety of storefronts, including major retailers such as Hy-Vee, Meijer, Walmart, Whole Foods and Woodman's. These products are available throughout the Midwest and on both coasts, offering consumers a trusted indicator of brands committed to regenerative agriculture. 'The continued adoption of the Grown Climate Smart brand is a testament to the program's success in bridging the gap between sustainable farming and consumer demand,' added Woods. 'By fostering partnerships across the supply chain, we're creating a stronger market for value-add products, benefiting both growers and consumers.' As Grown Climate Smart prepares for its third year, the program remains steadfast in its mission to scale enrollment, incentivize sustainable farming practices, and increase the marketability of regenerative crops. With a robust foundation and growing momentum, Grown Climate Smart is poised to further its role as a leader in promoting resilient practices within agriculture. Growers interested in joining the Grown Climate Smart initiative, as well as brands or CPG companies looking to source regenerative ingredients or explore product collaboration opportunities, can reach out by emailing [email protected] or calling (608) 676-3041. More information is available at Dylan Vaca The DeLong Company email us here Visit us on social media: LinkedIn Facebook X Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Biden's climate-smart ag program was better than nothing. Trump killed it.
The "Eating the Earth' column explores the connections between the food we eat and the climate we live in. Farms are a huge climate problem, so it was great that the Biden administration made a huge commitment to 'climate-smart agriculture.' But some details of its first $3 billion initiative to make agriculture climate-smarter were not so great. The Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program, launched by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in early 2022, provided generous grants to America's least cash-strapped agribusinesses, including Archer Daniels Midland, JBS, Tyson, Cargill, and PepsiCo, as well as America's most influential farm groups, representing corn, soybeans, cotton, pork, and dairy. A few of its 135 projects actually looked climate-harmful, financing emissions-boosting pseudo-solutions like biofuels, manure digesters, and grass-fed beef. Far too many grants went to scientifically controversial efforts to sequester carbon in farm soils through trendy 'regenerative' practices like planting cover crops and reducing tillage, and not enough flowed to simpler, evidence-backed strategies to reduce methane and nitrous oxide emissions. And the Biden USDA's well-intentioned efforts to make sure a large portion of the grants went to smaller farms, specialty crops, sympathetic nonprofits, and traditionally underserved communities often seemed to take precedence over reducing emissions. I wrote a skeptical column about then-President Joe Biden's climate-smart approach back in 2022, so I had mixed feelings when the Trump administration cancelled the climate-smart commodities program this April. It was clearly a flawed program. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins had a point when she mocked it as slow and bureaucratic. While her primary complaint that it didn't send enough money directly to farmers wasn't my primary complaint — USDA sends plenty of money directly to farmers! — even some Trump-hating advocates of sustainable farming agreed with her critique of its 'sky-high administration fees.' But no one truly believes the program's cancellation had much to do with flaws in its design or execution. Its fatal flaw, from the Trump perspective, was obviously its climate-smart premise; Rollins slagged it as 'largely built to advance the green new scam,' in violation of 'Trump administration priorities.' Those priorities are not a secret: This administration doesn't believe agriculture policy should have anything to do with the climate, which is why it scrubbed the word 'climate' from USDA's website. It doesn't care that agriculture generates one-fourth of all greenhouse gas emissions. Nobody who's concerned about the planet should be happy that an imperfect agricultural program was cancelled for the sin of trying to reduce agricultural emissions. As University of Iowa economist Silvia Secchi, one of the program's harshest critics, puts it, 'Regardless of my opinion of these grants, it makes no sense to kill them before we learn anything.' The Environmental Working Group published an analysis last year attacking Biden's climate-smart approach, but vastly prefers it to Trump's screw-the-climate approach. 'Even if we didn't love where all the money was going, it was better than just giving farmers subsidies,' says the group's Midwest director, Anne Schechinger. When President Donald Trump commits egregious transgressions — deporting a Venezuelan hairdresser to El Salvador or investigating the mayor of Chicago for bragging about his diverse staff — pundits often try to look balanced by criticizing the suboptimal behaviors he uses as excuses: Biden neglected the border; DEI went too far. There's a reluctance to simply say: This is egregious. Well, I spent the last six years reporting a book on how to feed the world without frying it, and I'll say this: Trump's belief that we shouldn't even try is egregious. Biden and his team deserve credit for making climate-smart a priority. Trump's USDA agreed to keep funding some of the climate-smart grants after farm groups protested their cancellation, but it's not calling them climate-smart anymore, and it won't pursue climate-smart investments in the future. It's defiantly climate-dumb. But I've also pointed out that it's boring to harp on the badness of a climate-denial administration doing climate-denial things. And there are lessons we can learn from the politics and substance of the climate-smart partnerships — about mistakes that shouldn't be repeated, and at least one remarkable success story that should be expanded worldwide. In my book, I tell the tale of a big internal Biden administration fight over climate-smart agriculture that never made it into the public eye. On one side was then-Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, who wanted to pay farmers to adopt regenerative practices — like keeping soils covered and minimizing soil disturbance — that he believed would sequester carbon in their soils and help reverse climate change. He loved the idea of fifth-generation Republican dirt farmers who wore John Deere hats and drove Ford F-150s embracing kinder and gentler approaches to their land that would help them earn a premium for sustainably grown commodities and sell soil-carbon credits as an extra crop. On the other side was White House climate aide David Hayes, who thought soil carbon was wildly overhyped — by the United Nations, environmentalists, foundations who seemed to cough up cash whenever they heard the word 'regenerative,' celebrity-studded documentaries like 'Kiss the Ground,' and even Big Ag and Big Food conglomerates eager to claim climate benefits for regenerative practices in their supply chains. Hayes pushed for at least half the climate-smart grants to go to less scientifically controversial efforts to reduce methane and nitrous oxide, which make up more than half of direct farm emissions. Hayes was right about the science. It's extraordinarily difficult to measure soil carbon accurately or ensure it remains underground. It's also extraordinarily difficult to build more soil carbon without adding more nitrogen in the form of fertilizer or manure, which have negative climate impacts of their own. Indigo Ag, a carbon-market leader that announced a plan in 2019 to help regenerative farmers sequester a trillion tons of soil carbon, has gotten less than one one-millionth of the way to that goal. Regenerative agriculture also tends to produce less food per acre, which means it requires more acres to produce the same amount of food, which means it accelerates the global march of farmland into carbon-rich forests and wetlands. 'There's just too much excitement about soil carbon,' Hayes told me. But Vilsack won on the politics. Most of the climate-smart grants promoted regenerative practices designed to move atmospheric carbon underground and help build new markets where farmers could sell soil-carbon credits — and the same was true for another $20 billion steered toward climate-smart agriculture by Biden's Inflation Reduction Act. Cover crops and no-till were by far the best-funded practices, even though there's at best mixed evidence that they can sequester much carbon. Biden even dropped a prime-time plug for cover crops into his first address to Congress. If USDA's soil-carbon obsession started the program on the wrong track, it strayed even further from its climate-smart mission by insisting that 40% of its grants go to underserved communities, and by promoting regenerative hemp, regenerative sorghum, and dozens of other alternatives to big row-crop commodities. Some of the resulting projects were just weird. One $20 million regenerative grant was divided among small farmers in New York, minority farmers in North Carolina, wine growers in California, and a nonprofit called Nature for Justice, as well as traditional big corn and soy producers in the Midwest and the giant agribusiness Corteva. It was hard to see a coherent strategy behind the grant, beyond spreading money across the country and checking all the Biden team's priority boxes. In any case, the Trump team has cancelled it, along with dozens of other grants that explicitly prioritized equity and diversity. Hayes did pressure USDA to make a serious commitment to verifying actual soil-carbon results, and to his credit, Vilsack agreed, creating a $300 million monitoring fund and steering a variety of grants toward data collection and measurement. Vilsack was excited to document the climate benefits underground, while Hayes suspected the department would learn that soil carbon was mostly a mirage; either way, it would gather valuable information. But the Trump administration is cancelling those data-focused grants, too, part of its push to scrap grants that proposed to send less than 65% of their cash directly to farmers, or had not yet sent any cash to farmers. The measurement grants generally sent more cash to scientists, universities, and companies like Indigo. The Trump team also axed most of the grants focused on large numbers of small farms growing unconventional crops, because they required much more administration. For example, the Pennsylvania group Pasa Sustainable Agriculture lost a $59 million grant because it planned to buy supplies like cover crops and tree seedlings in bulk for 2,000 farms as small as a quarter-acre rather than giving the cash to the farmers and making them buy supplies themselves. The association's director, Hannah Smith-Brubaker, says it was finally ready to ramp up in the field after spending just $2 million of its grant over the first two years, mostly on administration and preparation — and now it won't be spending anything. 'This was supposed to be an experiment,' Smith-Brubaker says. 'We'd spend five years tackling these problems on different types of farms with different practices, and we'd start to get some comprehensive answers about what works. It's such a shame that we won't.' Robert Bonnie, Vilsack's deputy who oversaw the grants, says there was a political strategy behind the grant program: By offering farmers carrots rather than sticks, and helping them develop markets for climate-smart commodities regardless of their personal climate views, USDA could build lasting support for evidence-based innovations in farm country. But he says he underestimated the Trump team's enthusiasm for policy vandalism, for trashing anything it could fit into its culture war against anything Biden-related or climate-related. 'It turns out there are no rules, and nothing matters,' Bonnie told me. Again, it's not the Biden team's fault that the Trump team hates the climate. But just as many climate hawks now wish the Inflation Reduction Act's clean-energy provisions had focused more on getting green stuff built quickly, and less on requiring union labor, American-made components, and other conditions unrelated to the climate, it's tempting to wonder what the climate-smart grants could have achieved before Trump ransacked them if they had focused on delivering quick emissions-reducing results. Actually, we don't have to wonder, because a single grant amounting to just 0.25% of the $3 billion climate-smart commodities program did exactly that. Four years ago, when a 23-year-old finance whiz named Tyler Hull was working for a farmland asset manager in Nashville, Tennessee, he spun off a subsidiary called AgriCapture to exploit the fledgling carbon markets that were starting to reward businesses for reducing emissions. Soil carbon was all the rage, and Hull figured that if he could persuade his firm's tenant cotton and corn farmers to plant cover crops, stop tilling, and adopt other regenerative practices that would sequester carbon underground, they could sell carbon credits and the company's land would get healthier. But once he dug into the science and mechanics of soil carbon capture, Hull concluded it was mostly bogus. He calculated that farmers could at best sequester one-fifth of a ton of carbon underground per acre, so they would earn less selling credits than they would spend on seeds for cover crops — and since tilling the soil in the future would release the sequestered carbon, the carbon-credit agreements would prohibit any tillage on the land for decades. 'It just didn't work,' Hull recalls. 'We had to pivot.' Hull soon stumbled across an emissions-reduction opportunity that wasn't bogus at all: reducing methane from rice fields through better water management. Methane-producing microbes that thrive in flooded rice fields are responsible for 10% of the world's agricultural emissions, but reducing the duration of flooding through practices like 'alternative wetting and drying' and 'furrow irrigation' can cut those emissions in half — the equivalent of up to two tons per acre, with no drag on yield and no restrictions on future land management. AgriCapture received a $7.5 million climate-smart grant in 2022, and it was the only project to start sending money to farmers that first year. It used remote sensing to document 30,000 tons of methane reductions on 25,000 acres, then sold the credits to an international bank. It also saved 9 billion gallons of fresh water without any loss of yield. This year, it's enrolling 150,000 acres, about 5% of U.S. rice production. The Trump administration is allowing the project to continue because it's already used most of its grant, and Hull says it will be able to keep expanding without additional federal subsidies. If rice farmers worldwide all adopted these practices, they could eliminate enough emissions to offset half the aviation industry. 'This can become the new normal,' Hull says. 'It's practical and profitable, and even if you don't care about global warming, it's saving water and creating a new export market for American farmers: carbon credits you can trust.' Regenerative agriculture is sexy and popular, with support from Al Gore, Joe Rogan, Rosario Dawson, the Indian mystic Sadhguru, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., but its ability to move a lot of carbon from sky to soil remains speculative at best. By contrast, AgriCapture's effort to reduce methane by reducing flooding on rice fields is simple, effective, and potentially lucrative. There are also proven strategies to reduce methane from cow burps with feed additives, reduce nitrous oxide emissions by using fertilizer more efficiently, and store carbon above ground by planting trees and shrubs in pastures and fields — with climate benefits that are relatively easy to measure and monetize. The Biden team could have made an international splash by bringing those strategies to scale, if it hadn't been so excited about its soil-carbon experiment. Now that experiment is over, and that's Trump's fault. But in the future, if policymakers who do care about climate progress want to make climate action more popular with the public, they might want to focus on actions they know will help the climate. And if those actions can create measurable environmental benefits that farmers can get paid for, they might even be popular in farm country.
