agribusinessreview.comNOVEMBER 20259The Field: Advancing the Science of Soil HealthAs we continue to advance soil science for the future of sustainable potato agriculture, many of the long-standing requirements in our Grower Guide already support soil health, such as cover cropping to prevent erosion and crop rotation to break pathogen cycles. Lamb Weston previously pioneered the use of Serenade Prime--a beneficial bacteria that lives in potato roots and improves the uptake of nutrients for larger, better potatoes. Lamb Weston first began trials of Serenade more than ten years ago, and it is now a mainstay for many growers' programs. We partner with universities, researchers, and manufacturers to identify innovative practices, products, and technologies. They regularly test bio-stimulants to find which works best for growers, including a recently trialed biological solution made of kelp that provides rich micronutrients and minerals to the soil. We are also experimenting with a technique that extracts and cultivates native algae from the soil, then sprays it through irrigation pivots to promote the growth of good bacteria.The Farm: Making Modern Agriculture PracticalLamb Weston is piloting technologies to find those that support more efficient use of resources. Equipped with these technologies, growers can closely monitor and fine-tune their operations to enhance sustainability, while reducing costs.Remote sensing technology has revolutionized crop monitoring, providing valuable insights into crop health and growth throughout the season. Aerial and satellite imagery allows growers to promptly detect and correct irrigation issues, while real-time crop monitoring helps them apply the right products at the right times for better health and higher yields.The Planet: Building Climate Resilience & Mitigation StrategiesAs we work toward a carbon-neutral future in our field operations, standard practices like cover cropping and integrated pest management to help reduce emissions and keep biomass in the soil are built into our grower contracts. We are now expanding this impact with research into new tools and varietals. Potato varietals offer an important part of the sustainability solution. By developing new varietals and matching varietals with soil type, we can grow crops that require less water and fewer inputs, offer greater nutritional efficiency, and are more resilient to disease and extreme weather.Measuring a farm's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is critical to reducing our carbon footprint. That's why Lamb Weston partners with the USDA's Climate-Smart Commodities program and Regrow. The Climate-Smart Commodities program helps reduce the carbon footprint of potato agriculture by bringing together universities, government agencies, private-sector companies, and Native American tribes to identify more climate-resilient practices such as reduced tillage, cover cropping, and residue management. Regrow is one of the most sophisticated measurement tools to help growers identify emissions sources and monitor sequestration processes. Regrow leverages remote sensing technology and De Nitrification De Composition (DNDC) modeling to provide growers with reliable and actionable information, making improving their day-to-day sustainability practices easier.Cultivating the Agriculture Ecosystem for Continuous ProgressSustainability is about our shared future. It takes collaboration, engagement, and partnership across sectors and specialties. We can only find enduring solutions if we work together.We're proud to have helped find industry-leading sustainable standards and develop shared metrics that reflect the priorities of our customers and consumers. We continually engage with academic researchers, innovative manufacturers, government agencies, and the overall sustainable agriculture ecosystem. Most of all, we remain committed to our grower partners--engaging to identify and implement the practices that will support their land and their livelihoods for the long term. As we continue to advance soil science for the future of sustainable potato agriculture, many of the long-standing requirements in our Grower Guide already support soil health.
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