Crops

The challenging profit margin environment US farmers face will continue until at least 2018, according to Rabobank’s senior grains and oilseeds analyst Sterling Liddell.

A regulatory filing from the NGP Capital Management affiliate reveals further progress in fundraising on its second agribusiness fund.

2017 will see US and Brazilian farmers struggle with low field crop margins as counterparts in Europe enjoy a recovery.

The AP Investment Fund, focused on real estate investments and lending into the cannabis market, has announced its $12.6m close.

The funds will be used to improve sustainability of Adecoagro’s rice, oilseed and dairy operations in Argentina amid recent improvements in the agribusiness environment.

Dr. Stephen Padgette, co-inventor of gene that confers the most widely-used biotechnology trait in agriculture, will work with the firm’s existing portfolio companies and help find new opportunities as an operating director.

David Gladstone reports that the conversion of farmland into suburbs in growing regions of the US helping to support an increase in rental income for the farmland REIT.

The second farmland fund from the San Francisco-based firm will continue to focus on acquisitions in the Mountain West, Pacific, Midwest and Delta regions of the US.

An infusion of $8m in capital will help fund research into seed treatments and soil additives designed to increase agricultural yield.

Strong US grain exports are helping US suppliers boost financial strength despite historically low crop prices.