Electric power from potatoes Monday, February 28, 2011 Slices of freshly cooked potatoes can provide electricity for remote, off-grid communities, says a research team at the University of Jerusalem. A slice of potato can generate light for 20 hours, and several slices could power simple medical equipment, or even a low-powered computer.The work was described last year in the Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy and hinges on a recent discovery that electricity flows from membranes disrupted by boiling. Potato batteries are estimated to generate electricity at a cost of about US$9 per kilowatt hour, about the same cost as AA alkaline batteries. D cells generate electricity for about $50/kWh.Expect to see another debate about "food or energy" to develop. The "antis" argue that these "food batteries" would be grown and used in areas of Africa where food may already be in short supply. Proponents, on the other hand, say many potatoes can't be moved to city markets in time to prevent them from rotting. BF ALUS and EG&S: The tangled world of ecological services Key Asian meat market in turmoil
Fendt unveils new tractors and planter at Farm Progress Show Friday, September 4, 2026 Fendt introduced three major equipment additions during the 2026 Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa, including the global launches of the 1100 Vario MT Gen2 Track Tractor and Momentum 80-Foot Planter, along with the North American debut of the 300 Vario Gen5 tractor series. The tradeshow... Read this article online
Quinoa - How an Ancient Grain Became a Prairie Crop Opportunity Thursday, September 3, 2026 What began as an experimental crop on Canadian farms has become a small but increasingly recognized part of the country's specialty crop sector. Quinoa, often celebrated for its high protein content, gluten-free status, and versatility in food products, has been grown commercially in... Read this article online
Massey Ferguson launches N-Series planters at Farm Progress Show Wednesday, September 2, 2026 Massey Ferguson North America has unveiled its new N-Series Split/Narrow Row Planters during the 2026 Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa, introducing a lineup designed to offer growers greater flexibility, integrated planting technology and lower long-term ownership costs. The new series... Read this article online
Applications Open for AALP Class 22 Wednesday, September 2, 2026 The Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program (AALP) has opened applications for Class 22, giving aspiring leaders an opportunity to strengthen their leadership skills and expand their understanding of the agriculture and food sector. The program,establishedin 1984, has playedan important... Read this article online
AI Powered Super Bean Could Grow in Ontario Farmers Fields Soon Wednesday, September 2, 2026 Researchers at the University of Guelph developedBeanGPT, an artificial intelligence is helping transform crop development, and a new dry bean variety may soon bring major benefits to farmers. Researchers have created an AI-supported breeding platform calledBeanGPTthat helpsidentifythe best... Read this article online