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ADM’s regenerative agriculture program is not just reducing carbon emissions – it is also leaving a positive mark on farmers’ balance sheets.

Researchers at the University of Warwick have developed a method for using bumblebees to deliver bacteriophages—viruses that target harmful bacteria—to cherry blossoms, reducing disease-causing bacterial populations and decreasing reliance on pesticides. By coating bees with phage powder as they leave the hive, the insects transfer these natural treatments to flowers during pollination. The approach, initially tested on cherry canker, has shown high delivery rates and effectiveness, with potential for broader application to other crops. The method aims to offer growers an environmentally friendly, practical alternative for managing bacterial crop diseases.

Corteva is spinning off its seed and genetics division into a new company, Vylor, which will launch hybrid hard red winter wheat in North America by 2027 using its proprietary Xpedite hybridisation system. Unlike past efforts hindered by wheat’s self-pollinating nature and production costs, Xpedite enables scalable, non-GMO hybrid seed production, promising yield increases of 10-20% and accelerated genetic gains without regulatory hurdles. Vylor projects its hybrid wheat will become a major revenue source alongside corn and soybeans, with plans to expand internationally and introduce additional wheat varieties through 2030. This strategy sets Vylor apart from competitors like Syngenta and Bayer by positioning Xpedite as a transformative breeding platform rather than just a new seed product.