Russ Tucker

It's not easy for early-stage deeptech businesses to get quality editorial coverage in the media. Science sounds difficult, and most national publications - short on staff and time, hungry for clicks - prefer to focus on the big, the familiar, or the extreme (and one suspects, a dream subject is all three...) Yet proper media coverage - not advertorial - is very useful for helping secure new business, new staff, and new investment. It can raise awareness and educate, and can also provides a kind of validation that is not entirely logical but is nonetheless still extremely powerful in helping businesses move to the next level. A few days ago The Times ran an op-ed by Oxford University Innovation CEO Edward Bussey, calling for the new UK government to help deeptech companies scale and commercialise breakthrough research. There's no doubt that the areas Ed outlines would help realise the potential of the UK innovation economy. But it would also really help deeptech companies if more media publications were to follow the example of The Times over the last four years (an effort led by Richard Tyler and Hannah Prevett) and commit to greater coverage of entrepreneurship and early/growth stage businesses. This isn't altruism. Focusing business pages on the FTSE350 made sense in the days when most readers were either employed by a UK listed business or had their savings invested in UK shares. But today many big UK pension schemes invest less than 5% of their members' savings in UK equities, and there are far fewer listed employers. The new government, like the last one, is likely to push hard for more of our savings to be channelled into unlisted private companies, which offer the potential for better long term returns. Younger people, whose savings these will be, who say they care about where their money is invested, and who are far more likely to be working for these high growth, tech-focused companies - will expect more from the mainstream media, and if they don't get it, they will go elsewhere... #startups #scaleups #deeptech #investment #innovation #entrepreneurship

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Fantastic article by Philippa Nuttall featuring Ryan Cameron, chief investment officer of Regenerate Asset Management. ‘A process, not a status’ Ryan Cameron is chief investment officer at London-based Regenerate Asset Management. It manages the Regenerate European Sustainable Agriculture Fund, which makes investments generally of around €10mn-€40mn in European farm businesses using a regenerative approach. Cameron too is clear that measuring regenerative agriculture is not a quick and simple exercise that can be dealt with through a couple of simple metrics. “Regenerative agriculture is a process, not a status like organic farming,” he tells Sustainable Views. “It is not about box-ticking, but about principles. Carbon is only one of the considerations. We need to look at a wide span of metrics and agro-ecological outcomes over time.” He cites the non-profit Savory Institute’s ecological outcome verification as an example of such an approach. Any verification for regenerative agriculture needs to be centred around the holistic improvement of soil health Ryan Cameron, Regenerate Asset Management Regenerate’s way of dealing with carbon has been to seek the “highest standard of verification” with standards organisations such as Verra, says Cameron. The BeZero rating “could be a helpful indicator on a richer dashboard” or “negative if it becomes a distraction” and the carbon potential of regenerative agriculture taken as the main focus of whether the system is a success or not, he adds. “Any verification for regenerative agriculture needs to be centred around the holistic improvement of soil health,” he says. “There is a big opportunity to demonstrate leadership by delivering results, rather than making unsubstantiated claims.” Nicholas Burlington Addy Windsor-Clive David Bates Jeremy Stroud Ananya Manna Philippa Saxon Matt Jordon Tom Dillon Christopher Heathcote Erik Bruun Bindslev Regenerate Outcomes BeZero Carbon Financial Times

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As the harsh reality of warmer and wetter winters hits agriculture, we are seeing more and more farmers in the UK and in Europe turning to #regenerativeagriculture practices to protect against #flood and #drought and boost #foodsecurity.   Pioneering farmers are rethinking the traditional post-war plough/fertilise/grow/repeat model and instead focusing on techniques to restore and build soil health. So-called #regenerative farms are investing in existing plants each year - valuing precious root systems rather than ploughing for example. Regenerative techniques are supporting #farmers across the country and have a climate benefit for us all.    Vitally, #healthysoil stores much larger volumes of water, preventing floods and protecting against droughts. While it might seem hard to imagine a dryer landscape after months of floods, hotter summers are also more likely - droughts are the next threat that we see on the horizon.   Regenerate Asset Management is a specialist private equity investor, investing in farms transitioning to regenerative agriculture across Europe. The co-founders previously worked at Impax, the climate positive private equity investor. Regenerate Outcomes is a sister business which supports the regenerative farming community with #education and opportunities to share knowledge.   Case studies of farmers ‘Meet the farmer’, adopting regenerative agriculture practices are available here - https://lnkd.in/e7BYHg9H. Nicholas Burlington Addy Windsor-Clive Ryan Cameron David Bates Jeremy Stroud Ananya Manna Philippa Saxon Matt Jordon Tom Dillon Christopher Heathcote Jake McNaughton Claudia J. Erik Bruun Bindslev Josh Heyneke Oliver Martin Jake Locke Timothy Coates https://lnkd.in/e4wnYGjX

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Great conversation on the future of protein. Agree / disagree on the points made? What will it take to make this one of the key strategies for protein production in your view?

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I wonder if Bill Gates has met Hilda, the Scottish IVF calf? In all seriousness, this news raises some thought-provoking questions about the role of advanced breeding techniques in reducing emissions and improving productivity it dairy farming. 💭 How do these approaches compare with Bovaer low-methane feeding strategies? 💭 How do we balance science with practical, scalable solutions for farmers? Read more here 👇 https://lnkd.in/eb7mWmr6

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Future-Proofing Agriculture? Did you know that over 15% of UK households faced hunger in January? It's tough to imagine, but many areas couldn't grow staple crops like potatoes, wheat, and veggies. The price of a ‘reasonably costing, adequately nutritious’ weekly basket of food has increased by 24-26% in the past two years. Food security is a growing concern worldwide due to the erratic weather patterns caused by climate change, which disrupt crop production and threaten the availability of staple foods. But there's hope on the horizon, with innovations like CRISPR stepping in to help. Science fiction is becoming a reality with drought-resistant rice and pest-proof potatoes. A brilliant team from Heidelberg, Chinese Academy of Sciences and IRRI has created drought-resistant rice varieties. More recently, the University of Essex has just launched a £3m facility dedicated to future-proofing crops. With vertical farming, advanced plant scanning, and cutting-edge AI and robotics, they are paving the way for a more secure food future. This STEPS lab with “state-of-the-art” facility plans to develop strategies to optimise plant performance whilst working towards net zero. With the global population set to increase by nearly 10% by 2036, these innovations could be game-changers. It will be interesting to see how these challenges are navigated through technology that's affordable and sustainable. #food #agriculture #innovation #climatechange

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Sustainability Practitioner Series:   🌿 Farmwashing – How Supermarkets Are Failing British Farmers, One Year Later 🌿   For a while, I’ve been meaning to spread the critical work of Riverford Organic Farmers. I receive no commission from them but just feel compelled to share their ethos and my experience with them.   Every week, my Riverford delivery sends a one-pager on various topic from their team. A year ago, they launched their #GetFairAboutFarming campaign, which was created to urge supermarkets to support struggling #Britishfarmers — farmers who were, on the verge of collapse. At that time, I was shocked to learn that 49% of farmers feared going out of business within 18 months, therefore I signed their campaign petition.   Now, a year later, things have only worsened. Riverford’s recent study shows that despite supermarkets promising to support farmers—publicly pledging £17 billion—the situation behind the scenes is bleak. The percentage of farmers fearing business closure in the next 18 months has risen to 61%. Riverford found that "supermarkets continue to push an idyllic image of British farming—Union Jacks, ‘high welfare standards,’ and traditional farm labels. Yet much of what they sell comes from industrial-scale, US-style megafarms, far removed from the small, sustainable family farms we envision. This deceptive practice is known as #Farmwashing, and it’s contributing to the downfall of real British farmers. Supermarkets are misleading consumers and keeping both farmers and shoppers in the dark, preventing meaningful change."   💡 What can we do? We vote with our money. If possible, shop at local farmers' markets, buy directly from a farm, minimize packaging (will make a post on that later) when available.   I still rely on supermarkets for certain items, but I actively seek better, local alternatives whenever I can.   What steps are you taking to incorporate sustainability into your food choices, when it contributes to~30% of the global carbon emission, ~70% of freshwater withdrawal, and ~50% habitable land use?   #SupportBritishFarming #stopfarmwashing #FairTrade #EthicalFarming #Sustainability #GetFairAboutFarming #locallysourced

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A refresh of the powerful top Performers analysis is discussed here

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UK-based companies have the opportunity to access funding of up to £15 million through the Farming Futures R&D Fund for the Nutrient Management Phase 1 - Industrial Research project. This initiative, in partnership with Innovate UK, aims to support innovative solutions that address challenges in nutrient management for agricultural livestock and crop production. The objective is to promote sustainable farming practices by maximizing nutrient efficiency, reducing runoff, and enhancing soil health. Proposals should align with Defra's targets to reduce pollution and emissions, ultimately benefiting farmers and growers in England. The competition opens on May 29, 2024, and closes on July 24, 2024, at 11:00 am. Defra will invest in projects that contribute to achieving environmental goals and promoting resilient agriculture. https://buff.ly/3QRgHy3 #funding #investing #fintech #technology #sustainability #growth #cybersecurity #environment #food #automation #automotive #recycling #nutrition #medicine #robotics #farming #augmentedreality #neuroscience #grants #ukgrants #startupgrants #businessgrants #ukgovernmentgrant #sme #smegrant #businessfunding #smefunding #technologygrant #innovationgrant #capti #captiinnovation #gamechanging #gamechanginginnovation #disruptiveinnovation #smartgrant #ai #manufacturing #sustainable #innovation #telecoms #semiconductors #business #IUK #InnovateUK #SmartGrant #InnovateUKfunding

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In my article yesterday announcing the AgTech Advisory Collective I detailed my focus on addressing 3 challenges in AgriTech development. - How to commercialise AgriFood tech - How to fund and invest in AgriFood tech - How to scale AgriFood tech globally Initiatives in the AgriTech eco-system are often focused on quantity over quality, pushing lots of startups through programs and building big investment portfolios to drive power law outcomes. However, we believe that by stripping back the noise, consulting firm overheads and the innovation theatre, a focus on quality and direct support can be how we achieve change in the 3 challenge areas. AgriTech founders have made it clear, they want customers, capital and connections into new markets. So we're optimising everything we build to deliver these outcomes. Thanks to Jennifer Marston from AgFunder for covering our launch.

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@Amy Jackson is spot on here. All of us in farming need to get on board with the idea that our relationship with the non-farming public is not about educating or informing people into our way of thinking. Dairy farming's social licence to operate has to be co-created by involving a deeply invested public from the start. A point so well made by Petra Berkhout, co-author of Mansholt Report, in conversation with Jack Thompson of Fodder TABLE. Reflecting on the backlash from farmers to the EU's sustainable farming strategy 'Farm to Fork', Petra notes that its successor, 'Strategic Dialogue on the Future of Farming' although having the same purpose and objectives has been better received: " If you read the Strategic Dialogue, the content and the course it wants to take towards more sustainable food systems is very similar to the Farm to Fork Strategy. But the way they explain the dilemmas and the trade-offs is much more sympathetic to the problems a lot of actors in food systems encounter. And therefore, I think it's much better in creating a good dialogue and taking everyone on board to go forward to sustainable food systems. " Just as policy-makers will achieve more by acknowledging the complexity of the issues, treating farmers with respect and giving them equal voice round the table, so will farming benefit from taking the same approach to its relationship with the non-farming public. Its a challenging route but maybe a case of going slower to get there quicker. See more on Mansholt Report: https://lnkd.in/eXuX_WUk..

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What proportion of #greenhousegasemissions come from agriculture? I've read anything from 14% to 40% depending on the source, but these figures are not accurate for the UK as shown in this new toolkit from Quality Meat Scotland. Why is the UK different from international data? Our temperate climate (basically rain!) and large amount of pasture and less favoured land (80% in Scotland) means that UK farmland is well suited to livestock production. Take a read of the toolkit and let me know what you think. For transparency, I'm proud to serve as a QMS board member. QMS is a public body reporting to the Scottish Government. https://lnkd.in/gzPZvsPw

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At GERBER-RAUTH and MEYLAND ADVISORS, we focus on identifying actionable business intelligence to foster innovation in the Dairy Ecosystem©. Some of the latest developments in animal-based dairy include: 1. Climate resilience: A recent report by Kite Consulting warns the UK dairy industry about the high costs of achieving climate resilience (nearly £4 billion over the next decade). This includes investments in infrastructure to withstand extreme weather and adopting sustainable practices to reduce emissions. Dariy companies must navigate these financial challenges to ensure long-term viability​. 2. Strategic partnerships: URUS Group's recent partnership with CVC Partners marks a pivotal step in advancing dairy genetics and data-driven farming solutions. This collaboration aims to leverage CVC's investment expertise to enhance URUS's global impact, ensuring sustainable and profitable dairy farming practices. This partnership highlights the importance of strategic alliances in driving industry innovation and growth​. 3. Sustainable practices: Tesco is testing a new methane-reducing feed (dsm-firmenich Animal Nutrition & Health's Bovaer) with Grosvenor Farms, one of its key UK dairy farms, aiming to cut greenhouse gas emissions. This initiative not only supports environmental sustainability but also aligns with growing consumer demand for greener products. Trials indicate promising results in lowering methane output from dairy herds​. 4. Certification milestones: MORE HOLSTEIN SL in Spain has become the first European dairy farm to achieve B-Corp certification. This milestone underscores the farm's dedication to sustainability, biodiversity, and worker welfare, setting a high standard for the industry and highlighting the benefits of rigorous environmental and social governance​. These initiatives reflect our industry's need and desire to foster innovation and sustainability. We integrate these insights into our investment, advisory and commercial practice areas to help our clients stay ahead. #Futureofdairy #DairyInnovation #BusinessIntelligence #TechInAg #agtech #foodtech #dairy

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We're already having some great conversations with innovators with respect to this upcoming call, and we've also been busy putting together an article to outline some of our thoughts on the topic area, as well as some of the related projects that we've collaborated on, or are collaborating in... #agritech #nutrientmanagement

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Unlocking the Power of AgTech for a Sustainable Future The integration of Agricultural Technology (AgTech) is not just a trend, it's a necessity for ensuring sustainable food production in the face of growing global challenges. A recent chapter from Wiley explores how innovative technologies are transforming farming practices by: - Enhancing resource efficiency through precision agriculture. - Improving climate resilience with data-driven insights. - Promoting sustainability in global food supply chains. As Thailand emerges as a regional leader in AgTech innovation, there is a significant opportunity for venture capital to accelerate this transformation, empowering farmers and fostering long-term economic growth. Let's champion the future of agriculture together! #AgTechThailand #VentureCapital #SustainableFarming #PrecisionAgriculture #FoodTech #SmartFarming #InnovationInAgriculture

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Excellent post. As an NZ resident of some years personally commited to prosperity and opportunity for all NZ citizens, some thoughts: The massive drain of talent, capital, and opportunity from NZ to Australia has a lot to do with a Kafkaesque maze of self-defeating regulations that strangle NZ prosperity for all of society. Bureaucracies don’t build equitable societies, but they can regulate to death the economies that enable them. A country of a few million people facing huge deficits, a butchers’ bill of climate change consequences just starting to present itself for payment, and a fragile over-reliance on ag and tourism should not be so resolutely hostile to ideas, innovation, and capital from outside.

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A. changes to IHT still aren't a threat to farming B. externalities of farming need to be considered in the context of value for money and public good derived from subsidies C. If I want to know how much any other individual business received in Government subsidy I am entitled to that information and to know what it was given to achieve. Farm support payments (as well as subsidies) should be far more transparent than at present. D. Whether to subsidise any other private sector business finds its way into public debate one way or another - rail, water, power, etc. Agriculture is unnecessarily sacred. E. Some farm support payments are paid as incentives for farmers to engage with and adhere to the law of the UK. How many other businesses need to be bribed to obey the law?? F. Farms are privately owned for private profit. Public services even if providers are privately owned adhere to public standards of delivery and are publicly regulated with services free at the point of delivery. G. Allowing the main farming industry lobby group to act as the sole de facto statutory consultee on agricultural policy matters is like letting the owners of coal mines and oil fields to shape UK energy policy. H. DEFRA has for too long been subject to producer capture by private industry. I. Yes let's change the conversation away from subsidies - all encompassing vague unaccountable sums opaque to taxpayers - and let's talk about agreements in exchange for funding with transparency about achievement and value for public money.

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This is pretty stark re UK #foodsecurity & #health. Latest Defra #horticulture stats: We're producing less #fruit & #veg, while paying more for that which we're eating. We're also exporting a lot less, and importing less too. Does that mean we're eating less overall?? Food Foundation says 11% of food SECURE households have cut back on fruit & 6% on veg (60% & 44% for food insecure ones). 🥕 UK-grown veg; value up 10%, volume down 4.9%, import volume up just 0.8%, export volume down 22%. 🍏 UK-grown fruit; value up 3.1%, volume down 12%, import volume down 3.9%, export volume down 4%. Defra hort stats https://lnkd.in/e7zU-XyG Food Foundations https://lnkd.in/e7_BmcmH

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