The Van Trump Report

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Highest-Funded Agrifoodtech Startups of 2020

AgFunder put together a list of the agrifoodtech companies that raised the most venture capital funding this year. As they note in their report, Covid-19 made it a difficult year for many but agrifoodtech still attracted a substantial amount of investment as both new pain points and opportunities emerged. For example, “E-commerce and restaurant tech …

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Brazil’s Infrastructure Investments are Starting to Pay Off

Brazil continues to build out its infrastructure to accommodate the country’s massive grain trade with a particular focus on maximizing their share of China’s equally massive import market. The key to this plan is one that seems very simple on paper – more paved roadways connecting to the country’s northern ports. Turning that plan into …

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What Does Mexico’s GM Corn Ban Mean for U.S. Producers?

Corn is one of the most heated political debates in Mexico, home of the ancient grain that has become the king of grain in the U.S. Corn in America became the country’s most prolific crop thanks largely to farmers embracing genetically modified (GM) varieties that deliver far better yields. By contrast, Mexican farmers have struggled …

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Ready-to-use Nitrogen Fertilizer Using Only Air, Water, and Renewable Electricity

Today, the global supply of fertilizer is fueled by coal and natural gas and travels through a complex supply chain to farms around the world. Fertilizer distribution is an expensive process involving substantial storage and transportation infrastructure that stretches over thousands of miles. As a result, fertilizer costs can become inflated and farmers are often …

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Farm Automation and DNA Storage Among Top Strategic Predictions

Leading global research firm Gartner recently released an interesting report outlining the most significant trends they see shaping business and industry in the near future. “Top 10 Strategic Predictions for 2021 and Beyond” was presented by Distinguished VP Analyst Daryl Plummer at this year’s virtual Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo® 2020. The presentation takes the view that …

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READ – IMPORTANT PHILOSOPHY to UNDERSTAND – Price of Solar Electricity has Dropped -89% in 10-Years

In 2009, building a new solar farm was +223% more expensive than building a new coal plant. Now, it’s flipped! The world is now looking for ways to curb what they believe is a “climate crisis”. You can agree or disagree, but that is ultimately irrelevant. As I wrote yesterday, my new favorite quote is, “the …

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NEW Episode of Highly Volatile: How We’re Playing the Ag Markets and Other Investments into 2021

Kevin Van Trump and Andy Daniels host a roundtable discussion with their sons Jordan Van Trump and Drew Daniels. Both Jordan and Drew trade and invest, so the topics of conversation are very interesting and offer differing perspectives.  The discussion starts with current thoughts on the ag markets and how the group plans to play …

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Interesting Read and Something to Think About as France Charts Path Away From Brazil Soybeans

France is looking to dramatically overhaul its agriculture sector with a $120 million investment aimed at boosting the country’s protein crop production. The EU’s largest crop grower says the objective is to gain more control over its food supply and cut its heavy reliance on soybean imports. The plan would double total protein crop area …

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