b'each year, the reactions were overwhelming. What I particularly3. MAXIMIZING FORAGE PRODUCTION enjoyed was to see the level of enthusiasm and passion for plantTHROUGH COVER CROPS: NURTURING SOIL breeding and the seed sector that all nominees were showing. So,HEALTH FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTUREthere is some hope left. https://bit.ly/3S609lJ DECEMBER 2023Soil health stands as a cornerstone for successful forage produc-5. THE TRUTH BEHIND THE EWGS DIRTY DOZEN tion, serving as the foundational bedrock for crop nourishment JANUARY 2023 and growth. Employing correct practices becomes pivotal in fos-Our recurring columnist Joetering robust soil health, encompassing factors such as ample air Schwarcz analyses the annualspaces, maintenance of aerobic conditions, substantial soil organic list of pesticides residuesmatter, and efficient drainage. INSIDER company DLF explains found on fruits & vegeta- that among the five essential principles governing soil health, Soil bles, which put together byArmor emerges as a critical aspect, shielding the soil from adverse the Environmental Workingweather conditions, such as wind and rain, via the implementation Group (EWG) in the U.S.of cover crops.Joe urges us all to keep inhttps://bit.ly/48FiZai mind that the presence of a residue does not equate to the2. YOU ARE MYTH TAKEN: ORGANIC AGRICULTUREpresence of risk. The ques- MARCH 2023tion that needs to be askedMyth: Organic agriculture or organic food are pesticide free. Fact: is: How many of the residuesIt is commonly believed that organic farmers do not use pesticides detected were in excess of theand that organic food is therefore safer to consume than conven-Environmental Protection Agencys carefully established maximumtionally farmed fruit and vegetables. This claim that organic farmers tolerance level? It turns out that of the 531 samples, none had awork without using pesticides is a view that has been spread widely residue of any pesticide that exceeded the EPAs tolerance level.but is clearly false. In the EU, according to the pesticide approvals So, there is absolutely no need to worry about eating fruit and veg- database, there are currently close to 500 substances approved for etables, conventional or organic, which incidentally can also haveuse as pesticidesof which 28 are approved for use in organic residues of a number of pesticides allowed in organic agriculture.agriculture, many of which are neurotoxins or with a toxic pro-https://bit.ly/3S9eIVk file requiring Danger labels. Find out more about the myths on organic agriculture. https://bit.ly/3UpshDd4. MULTI-SPECIES COVER CROPS AND CARBON CREDITS: LIDEAS SUSTAINABLE INITIATIVENOVEMBER 2023 1. AG AT A CLIMATE CROSSROADS: COP28 AND Our regular INSIDER company Lidea is stepping into the worldTHE BIOSTIMULANT SOLUTIONof carbon neutrality by introducing a range of multi-species coverNOVEMBER 2023crops, allowing farmers access to carbon credits as part of theThe 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), a low-carbon label. In the coming months, the seed company willpivotal gathering dedicated to addressing climate change, took place involve its partner seed multipliers in this sustainable initiative.in Dubai, and gave the world an opportunity to assess the profound Cover crops play a pivotal role in reducing the carbon footprintimplications of climate change on crop production. One message is associated with fertilization. Ammonia production demands sig- clear at this important gathering of policymakers: the world needs nificant energy, often sourced from Russia. Cover crops also have acritical players in both the public and private sector to help address capital role in carbon storage in the soil, with estimates suggestingthe multifaceted challenges posed by climate change.that these crops could store about 0.8 tons of carbon per hectareOur INSIDER company Acadian explains that from an agri-each year. https://bit.ly/3vC0XXI cultural perspective, two critical areas demand our attention: soil health and abiotic stress. https://bit.ly/3u1MkN4SEEDWORLD.COM/EUROPEISEED WORLD EUROPE I 27'