In many ways, 2023 was an extremely challenging year for agricultural companies raising capital. A spike in interest rates provided risk-free alternatives for investors who might normally allocate into the space, while banks and other lending institutions significantly tightened credit availability. Early stage companies struggled with runway and raising bridge rounds. Though economic headwinds remain, we’re optimistic that 2024 will see an uptick in funding for several areas.
Read moreTop 4 Ways to Connect with the Food System
48% of Americans don't know where chocolate milk comes from, according to the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy. That's nearly half of the population of the U.S. How did we grow so far removed from our food system? More importantly, how do we reconnect with our food system? We listed the top 4 ways to connect with the food system.
Read moreGrowing Opportunities for RNA AgTech Companies
Though most people are likely familiar with RNA (specifically, messenger RNA) technology from its application in COVID-19 vaccines, few have probably heard about its potential uses in agriculture.
Read moreGiving Back to Veterans with Bear Hug Cattle Company
Bear Hug Cattle Company ranch in Montana
In 2021, Metro Tader Services partnered with Bear Hug Cattle Company, a non-profit providing veterans with opportunities in the ranching community.
Together, the companies give veterans the resources, knowledge and funding necessary to be successful in the ranching industry. At BHCC, transitioning service members are offered a 10-week intensive course where attendees gain confidence in horsemanship, ranch tasks, basic ranch economics, and receive field training at historic operational ranches in the western U.S.
Read moreA Flavorful Investment: Vanilla
They say variety is the spice of life, and what better way to spice up your portfolio than with a unique agriculture investment unlike any other? At Metro Tader Services, our mission is to connect you with offerings you can’t find anywhere else. You may be seeking something a little different than the typical row crop or farmland investment to grow your wealth.
Enter vanilla.
She’s subtle, she’s sweet, but she packs a bold punch when it comes to diversifying your portfolio.
Read more5 Misconceptions Preventing You From Growing Your Wealth
Our sector of the world - food production, technology, and consumer preferences - is constantly evolving. The same is true of agriculture investors. A practice once thought to be reserved for the older, wiser, and weather is now more inclusive of all ages, demographics and backgrounds, but beginner investors may still be clutching to traditional stereotypes. We’ve compiled and worked through a list of five common investing misconceptions that could be preventing you from making that next investment to grow your wealth.
Read more2022 Agriculture Investment Trends
With 2022 right around the corner, our eyes are fixed on the new year and all it has to offer. Farmers and ranchers are modernizing food production to meet increased consumer interest in supporting local agriculture, and demand for sustainable practices continues to drive buying preferences. We’ve compiled a list of the top 5 agricultural investment trends you’ll want to keep in mind if diversifying your portfolio is one of your New Year resolutions.
Read moreInvesting in Precision Agriculture: Challenges & Opportunities
As the globe’s population continues to grow consuming more and more resources, and available land decreases, farmers need to maximize their efficiency. From 2014 to 2018, the United States lost over 14 million acres of farmland. Precision Agriculture (PA) is a farm management concept based on observing, measuring, and responding to variability in crops, both inside a field (intra-field) and outside (inter-field). PA solutions often include specialized sensors, software, and cloud-based services. PA sensors in fields can measure parameters such as moisture content, air and soil temperature. Satellites and unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) can provide growers with real time multi-spectral imaging of their fields and even individual plants. This information can be processed with the assistance of artificial intelligence and machine learning to assist a farmer in making decisions, such as how much soil additives and irrigation to apply in order to increase profitability and sustainability.
Read moreFive Superfood Investment Trends for 2021
Nearly everyone has seen an advertisement for some sort of “superfood” that promises numerous health benefits packed into a single fruit or vegetable. Besides these claims, superfoods can make an attractive addition to an investment portfolio seeking diversified returns.
Read moreInvest in Agtech to Combat Food Inflation
As the agriculture industry evolves, so does the agriculture investment space. We’ve moved beyond simply investing into a crop and gaining returns from the yields. As equity crowdfunding in agriculture progresses, new investment opportunities arise. AgTech investments have exploded over the last half decade, with more exponential growth expected within the coming years.
Read moreInvesting in Hardy Hazelnuts
Tree crops have proven themselves as a sturdy investment option that can bring an investor returns for years to come. Though in more recent years, hazelnuts have held their ground as a tree crop that has increased in global demand, generates an appealing risk/return profile, and has rightfully earned its spot as the fifth largest nut crop in the world.
Read moreThe Thriving U.S. Lamb Industry
Lamb is a small component of the overall U.S. animal protein market, but one that is rapidly growing in importance. Approximately 300 million pounds of lamb are sold annually in the United States, with the majority of the product imported from Australia and New Zealand. In the most recent USDA Census of Agriculture, last conducted in 2017, there were 101,387 sheep operations (both wool and meat) in the U.S., an increase of 15% from five years prior.
Read moreFamous Investors Growing Wealth with Agriculture
When building a portfolio, you may be tempted to stick with traditional stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and exchange-traded funds and stay away from nontraditional investment opportunities. For many, the idea of investing in agriculture is unfamiliar and seems too unconventional since it does not receive as much attention in mainstream investment discussions. Yet investments in farmland and timberland are much more common than you think, as many of the world’s largest investors already understand the benefit of agricultural investing and how it can help them preserve and grow their wealth. Not only do these investments offer steady returns and desirable tax benefits, they can offer investors a chance to pursue their dreams of owning farms or ranches.
Read moreAquaculture Investments: Making a Splash in 2022
The rising human population has unsurprisingly led to a boom in the demand for seafood. Consequently, the ocean is being rapidly depleted, not only reducing the seafood supply, but also negatively impacting ecological systems and reducing biodiversity. The rising need for animal protein, which is expected to increase by 52% by 2050, can only be met by farming fish. Aquaculture, which is the controlled breeding and harvesting of aquatic organisms, creates alternative sources of seafood for the growing population.
Read moreHow to Expand Your Farm with Equity Crowdfunding
It’s not uncommon for farmers, ranchers, and landowners to fall victim to a foreclosure from the bank. In fact, there was a 40% decline in net farm and ranch income in 2015. So what other options can you visit before giving a bank control of your land? Trading some of your land equity for cash from an investor may be the best decision you make.
Read moreHow to Invest with Metro Tader Services
So you’re thinking about investing in agriculture with Metro Tader Services? Good choice -- investments in agriculture provide a hedge against inflation with little to no correlation to the overall stock market, and can be an attractive diversification tool for a portfolio. The universe of agriculture investment varies widely, with various crop types, growing methods, and offering structures, each with their own risk/return profile. Take a look at the simple steps below to get started. We are more than happy to aid you in your endeavors. But first, here’s a little bit about us.
Read moreTop 5 Mistakes Farmers Make When Raising Capital for Their Operation
The first question most farmers and producers who plan on starting a new operation or expanding their current one ask themselves is, “Where am I going to get the money?” For some of them, driving down to their local ag credit union will suffice. But others who may be thinking on a larger scale might consider raising capital with outside investors. For those, we offer a list of commonly seen mistakes.
Read moreMust Watch Farmland Investing Trends
When it comes to investing, one of the most valuable skills you can have is being able to identify trends and capitalize on them.
For example, those who caught the trend of online shopping and e-commerce have done quite well with stocks like Amazon. On the other hand, those who had their heads in the sand did not do too well if they owned retail stocks, such as Macy’s.
Farmland hasn’t quite become trendy yet, but it is growing in popularity. It has transitioned from an investment that was out of reach to something you can now own with relative ease. All without getting your boots dirty.
Before diving in, it is important to understand the current trends within an investment. Based on a report by Farm Foundation, here are the most important trends farmland investors need to be aware of.
Read moreThe ‘Cherry on Top’ for A Diversified Portfolio
Sweet, tangy and globally enjoyed, cherries have earned and proven their spot on consumers’ shopping lists, in our foods, and potentially, in your investment portfolio.
According to Transparency Market Research (TMR), the global fresh cherries market value is anticipated to reach $ 107.2 billion by 2029 at a CAGR of 8.5%, making cherries an investable asset worthy of consideration.
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