This report by A Bigger Conversation as part of its Agroecological Intelligence project explores agroecological farmers’ and growers’ perception of agri-technology. The report finds that farmers and growers are not anti-technology, but they are suspicious of top-down, developer-driven technology. These often fail to consider farmer’s and growers’ interests and do not address wider reforms needed for a more sustainable, fair and resilient food system. The report does find, however, that farmers and growers are enthusiastic about agri-innovations when they have been designed and developed with them, their values and their needs in mind. The report also includes a guide to help practitioners assess agricultural technologies whether they are compatible with the principles and practices of agroecology. It also offers recommendations for how agritech could be better developed, regulated, financed and promoted.

This report by Rothamsted Research provides evidence on the impact of grazing management on a range of outcomes as well as on the importance of field scale, long-term research. It seeks to provide more rigorous assessment of livestock grazing practices which are usually reported as having positive economic and environmental outcomes but which often rely on anecdotal reports. It provides detailed data comparisons of the two systems related to system productivity, soil structure and health, environmental impacts, pasture growth and use and animal behaviour and performance, which may be valuable to growers and researchers exploring the impact of different livestock grazing management systems.

The book explores how beer has shaped the world during its 13,000 year history. It was one of reasons behind the drive to grow grains, it motivated labourers to build the pyramids and it provided a safe alternative to contaminated water. The books focuses on past and present beers, highlighting the importance in people’s lives through four themes; innovating new technologies, ensuring health and well-being, building economic and political statuses, and imbuing life with ritual and religious connections.

This book argues livestock systems need to be rapidly rethought to tackle the climate crisis and examines how this tension is governed (or lack thereof) in international arenas. It showcases where productive synergies and damaging tensions have emerged across livestock governance, and where there is scope to achieve fairer and more effective emissions mitigation. 

This book examines the social inequalities relating to food insecurity in the UK, as well as drawing parallels with the US. It introduces a new framework to examine the many influences on local-level food inequalities, whether they result from individual circumstances or where a person lives.

A consortium of European media outlets investigate the power brokers of the burgeoning farmer protests in Europe and how they are turning the outrage to their advantage. They explore the key figures in France, Italy, Poland and Germany, who claim to represent the farmers and investigate whose interests they are really representing. 

This article projects the land use change and greenhouse gas emissions associated with a circular food system and protein transition. The authors suggest land use and greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced by adopting circular principles without reducing current levels of protein intake and that fully plant-based diets result in nutrient inadequacies. The authors also argue that agricultural land can potentially be spared by feeding farmed animals with low-cost biomass such as by-products, food waste and crop residues. They suggest freed up land can be used for non-agricultural purposes such as afforestation, leading to carbon sequestration.