Agriculture

How Australia lost a war with emus

While numerous parts of the world are ensconced in tragic wars right now, a war in Australia’s past offers a stark distinction with some levity.

In 1932, a massive migration of emus wrought havoc on the country’s farmlands, deeply damaging the country’s wheat supply and more. Twenty thousand emus descended on Western Australia in migration, almost decimating farmlands that provided much-needed wheat and supplies to Australia.

Farmers were unable to stop them from eating their crops after the...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/how-australia-lost-a-war-with-emus

What will happen if Russia blocks Black Sea grain ships?

Russia is threatening to pull the plug on the Black Sea Grain Initiative on May 18, blocking Ukrainian seaborne exports of corn and wheat. The European Union has banned Ukrainian agriculture exports to neighboring Romania, Bulgaria, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia until June 5, with an extension through year-end possible. The Tolyatti-Odessa pipeline, a key conduit for Russian exports of ammonia — a vital fertilizer feedstock — remains offline.

CNBC recently warned that “the basic food security of...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/what-will-happen-if-russia-blocks-the-black-sea-grain-ships

Supply chain effects from Hurricane Ian could linger for weeks

Highway traffic jam for hurricane exodus.

The risk to manufacturing, agriculture and distribution sectors in Florida is rapidly intensifying as powerful Hurricane Ian takes aim at the state’s southwest coast. But the economic ripple effects are likely to be felt well beyond the storm zone.

Experts are predicting severe disruption to supply chains from flooding, power outages and wind damage that could stall factory and farm production, as well as freight movement through major port, airport, highway and rail nodes. The Tampa-to-Orlando...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/supply-chain-effects-from-hurricane-ian-could-linger-for-weeks

DAFF’s Cargo Consultative Committee: latest communique

By the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Melwyn Noronha, CEO of Shipping Australia recently attended the The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Cargo Consultative Committee (DCCC) on behalf of the shipping industry. The Committee met in person on 13 July 2022 at Shipping Australia’s office in Sydney. The DAFF CCC communique (Meeting 92) is as follows:

The Chair opened proceedings by outlining the machinery of government changes that had taken effect from 1 July...

https://www.shippingaustralia.com.au/daffs-cargo-consultative-committee-latest-communique/

Regenerative agriculture — Net-Zero Carbon

The logo for FreightWaves’ Net-Zero Carbon show has green trees with a black background.

On this episode of Net-Zero Carbon, Danny Gomez, managing director of financial and emerging markets at FreightWaves, chats with Jakke Aoga, co-founder of La Kahea Community Farm on Maui, Hawaii, and a program manager at FreightWaves, about regenerative agriculture. 

“Our mission is to connect the community and the people who come to Maui with the land and to highlight the importance of regenerative agriculture,” Aoga said.

Regenerative agriculture includes holistic farming practices that rebuild...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/regenerative-agriculture-net-zero-carbon

How are carbon insets different from carbon offsets?

Green rows of crops are shown with a background of cloudy blue skies.

Carbon offsets are pretty well known by the supply chain industry. A freight company may purchase carbon credits from an accredited organization that plants trees in another part of the world to offset emissions from its operations of transporting goods. 

But what are carbon insets?

Carbon insetting happens when a company invests in making parts of its own supply chain more sustainable. The investment could occur upstream or downstream, and it could reduce, avoid or sequester carbon dioxide...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/how-are-carbon-insets-different-from-carbon-offsets

Viterra’s Port Lincoln and Thevenard grain ports subject to Bulk Wheat Code

Pictured: grains of wheat. Credit: Suraj Tripathi via Pixabay

By the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission

The ACCC has determined not to exempt the services provided by South Australian grain handler Viterra at its Port Lincoln and Thevenard facilities from parts of the Port Terminal Access (Bulk Wheat) Code.

The decision means that Viterra will continue to be subject to the non-discrimination requirements of the Code at its Port Lincoln and Thevenard facilities, and must also provide...

https://www.shippingaustralia.com.au/viterras-port-lincoln-and-thevenard-grain-ports-subject-to-bulk-wheat-code/

Ag industry’s letter to Buttigieg urges immediate action on export problem

The U.S. agriculture industry is pressuring the Department of Transportation for immediate intervention in foreign-owned carriers’ denial of U.S. ag exports in favor of sending back empty containers to be filled with Chinese exports. 

In a letter sent to Secretary Pete Buttigieg on Monday that was shared with American Shipper, almost 300 agriculture and forest product companies demanded the secretary intervene to protect U.S. exporters. 

“We are hopeful the secretary will act upon this urgent...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/ag-industrys-letter-to-buttigieg-urges-immediate-action-on-export-problem

AAR, Railinc and agricultural shippers create visibility portal

A black and white photograph of grain hopper cars.

The Association of American Railroads, data provider Railinc and agricultural shippers have joined forces to create an online portal aimed at improving visibility for covered hopper cars.

The portal will provide shippers with information that will help them prevent potential cross-contact with food allergens and conform to food safety standards, the group said.

The portal, which should launch in late 2021, aims to better identify the last contents hauled in a particular railcar. It will include a...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/aar-railinc-and-agricultural-shippers-create-visibility-portal

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