Agriculture news 2018

Here are some of the top agriculture news stories from 2018:

1. Trade Wars and Tariffs: The year 2018 was marked by a series of trade disputes and tariffs imposed by the United States on several countries, including China, Canada, and the European Union. The impact on agriculture was significant, with many farmers facing reduced exports and lower prices for their products.
2. Drought and Wildfires: A severe drought affected many parts of the world, including the United States, Australia, and Europe, leading to widespread wildfires and crop losses. In the United States, the drought was particularly severe in California, where it had a significant impact on the state's agriculture industry.
3. Gene Editing: The use of gene editing technology, such as CRISPR, became a major topic in agriculture in 2018. The technology allows for the precise editing of genes, which has the potential to improve crop yields, disease resistance, and nutritional content.
4. Farm Bill: The 2018 Farm Bill was passed in December, providing support to farmers and ranchers through a range of programs, including crop insurance, conservation programs, and nutrition assistance.
5. African Swine Fever: African Swine Fever (ASF) was detected in several countries in 2018, including China, Vietnam, and the Philippines. The disease has had a significant impact on the global pork industry, with many countries imposing restrictions on pork imports.
6. Climate Change: Climate change continued to be a major concern for agriculture in 2018, with many farmers and researchers working to develop strategies for adapting to changing weather patterns and rising temperatures.
7. Precision Agriculture: The use of precision agriculture technologies, such as drones, satellite imaging, and precision irrigation, continued to grow in 2018, allowing farmers to optimize crop yields and reduce waste.
8. Food Safety: Food safety was a major concern in 2018, with several high-profile outbreaks of foodborne illnesses, including a recall of romaine lettuce due to E. coli contamination.
9. Farm Labor: The farm labor shortage continued to be a major issue in 2018, with many farmers struggling to find and retain workers. The issue was exacerbated by the Trump administration's decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
10. Agricultural Technology: Agricultural technology, or "agtech," continued to grow in 2018, with many startups and established companies developing new technologies to improve crop yields, reduce waste, and increase efficiency.

Some of the top agriculture news stories from 2018 include:

• "US Farmers Face Uncertainty as Trade Wars Intensify" (The New York Times)
• "Drought and Wildfires Wreak Havoc on California's Agriculture" (The Los Angeles Times)
• "Gene Editing Technology Could Revolutionize Agriculture" (The Wall Street Journal)
• "Farm Bill Passes Congress, Providing Support to Farmers and Ranchers" (The Washington Post)
• "African Swine Fever Spreads to New Countries, Threatening Global Pork Industry" (Reuters)
• "Climate Change Poses Major Threat to Global Food Security" (The Guardian)
• "Precision Agriculture Technologies Help Farmers Optimize Crop Yields" (Forbes)
• "Food Safety Concerns Grow as Outbreaks of Foodborne Illnesses Increase" (The Washington Post)
• "Farm Labor Shortage Continues to Plague US Agriculture" (The New York Times)
• "Agricultural Technology Startups Raise Millions in Funding" (TechCrunch)

These are just a few examples of the many agriculture news stories that made headlines in 2018.