Features
USDA Report Indicates Acreage Losses, States Counter With Gains In Production
March 03, 2016
A new report just issued by the USDA indicates that, while average farm sizes are on the increase, the number of farms across the US has actually declined.
March 03, 2016
A new report just issued by the USDA indicates that, while average farm sizes are on the increase, the number of farms across the US has actually declined.
Trading Tractors for Scuba Gear – Italy Experiments with Underwater Farming
March 02, 2016
In the world’s quest to find new ways to farm crops, researchers have looked up (vertical farming) and they’ve looked in (greenhouses). Now for the first time, they’re looking down, as in under the sea.
March 02, 2016
In the world’s quest to find new ways to farm crops, researchers have looked up (vertical farming) and they’ve looked in (greenhouses). Now for the first time, they’re looking down, as in under the sea.
Envisioning the Future of Agriculture Today
March 01, 2016
“We must envision the future of agriculture today” If we begin with the right context, we can settle any dispute. That was the message of Allan Savory, the founder of holistic management, as he spoke to a crowd studying a weedy field in southwest Georgia last December.
March 01, 2016
“We must envision the future of agriculture today” If we begin with the right context, we can settle any dispute. That was the message of Allan Savory, the founder of holistic management, as he spoke to a crowd studying a weedy field in southwest Georgia last December.
Biostimulant Technology: The Proof Is out There and It's Coming Your Way
February 29, 2016
When a new solution for “crop enhancement” comes out, are you immediately skeptical? If the term brings to mind wild potions and old wives’ tales (plant corn when the oak leaves are as big as a squirrel's ear), you’re not alone.
February 29, 2016
When a new solution for “crop enhancement” comes out, are you immediately skeptical? If the term brings to mind wild potions and old wives’ tales (plant corn when the oak leaves are as big as a squirrel's ear), you’re not alone.
Inspiring The Next Generation of Ag Educators: The Campaign To Solve The Teacher Shortage
February 26, 2016
The urban farming movement and a growing interest in eating local has created an enthusiastic new crop of Americans with a desire to learn about agriculture. Problem is, the estimated 12,000 agricultural educators in the U.S. today aren’t nearly enough to handle the new demand.
February 26, 2016
The urban farming movement and a growing interest in eating local has created an enthusiastic new crop of Americans with a desire to learn about agriculture. Problem is, the estimated 12,000 agricultural educators in the U.S. today aren’t nearly enough to handle the new demand.
Protecting What We Sow: Lessons of the Conservation Reserve Program
February 25, 2016
The land gives us so much and asks for little in return. But history has shown us that the land can be pushed too far, and when that happens, it pushes back.
February 25, 2016
The land gives us so much and asks for little in return. But history has shown us that the land can be pushed too far, and when that happens, it pushes back.
AgAmerica Lending: Helping Farmers Navigate the Volatile Agricultural Economy
February 24, 2016
The financial projections have not been good for agriculture. Busting grain bins, a strong dollar and slowing global demand all point to a decrease in cash receipts. Now the USDA forecasts 2016 net farm income to be the lowest since 2002.
February 24, 2016
The financial projections have not been good for agriculture. Busting grain bins, a strong dollar and slowing global demand all point to a decrease in cash receipts. Now the USDA forecasts 2016 net farm income to be the lowest since 2002.
Coalition of Ag Organizations Makes Strides to End Cuba Embargo
February 23, 2016
Recent developments out of Washington indicate that restrictions are beginning to ease further—and that’s good news for agriculture.
February 23, 2016
Recent developments out of Washington indicate that restrictions are beginning to ease further—and that’s good news for agriculture.
Obama Breaks an 88-Year Cycle to Visit Cuba
February 22, 2016
Last Thursday, it was announced that President Obama would be visiting Cuba sometime in March, a trip that will mark a major turning point in US-Cuban relations. The visit will be the first time in nearly nine decades that a sitting president has been to the country—the last sitting U.S. president to visit Cuba was Calvin Coolidge in 1928. This is part one of a two part series focusing on the Embargo against Cuba. Today's piece focuses on the history and then tomorrow we will discuss the efforts being made be ag associations to develop trade as the doors begin to reopen.
February 22, 2016
Last Thursday, it was announced that President Obama would be visiting Cuba sometime in March, a trip that will mark a major turning point in US-Cuban relations. The visit will be the first time in nearly nine decades that a sitting president has been to the country—the last sitting U.S. president to visit Cuba was Calvin Coolidge in 1928. This is part one of a two part series focusing on the Embargo against Cuba. Today's piece focuses on the history and then tomorrow we will discuss the efforts being made be ag associations to develop trade as the doors begin to reopen.
Agvocacy Series: Why Training Makes You A Stronger Agvocate
February 19, 2016
The word on the street is that social media is dying. Imagine that. No more blogging. No more tweets. AgChat.org is helping farmers speak out in new ways, and old.
February 19, 2016
The word on the street is that social media is dying. Imagine that. No more blogging. No more tweets. AgChat.org is helping farmers speak out in new ways, and old.
Agvocacy Series: How Ag Organizations Help Farmers Find Their Voice
February 18, 2016
If you raise or grow any commodity in this country, you’re familiar with the term “checkoff.” Did you know that checkoffs and their respective associations are also one of the best places to find your voice?
February 18, 2016
If you raise or grow any commodity in this country, you’re familiar with the term “checkoff.” Did you know that checkoffs and their respective associations are also one of the best places to find your voice?
Agvocacy Series: Thinking Way Outside The Box
February 17, 2016
The Peterson brothers are experts at growing wheat, corn, alfalfa and soybeans. But what they grow best is their legion of YouTube followers—106,200 followers to be exact. Add to that the Peterson’s 320,000 Facebook fans, and it’s clear this farming trio is making a huge impression in the name of agvocacy.
February 17, 2016
The Peterson brothers are experts at growing wheat, corn, alfalfa and soybeans. But what they grow best is their legion of YouTube followers—106,200 followers to be exact. Add to that the Peterson’s 320,000 Facebook fans, and it’s clear this farming trio is making a huge impression in the name of agvocacy.
Agvocacy Series: Tweets from the Tractor - How Farmers Are Using Social Media to Tell Their Stories
February 16, 2016
We continue this weeks Agvocacy series with Carrie Mess, also know as Dairy Carrie. One of the goals of the Dairy Carrie blog is to inspire other farmers to find their voices. Mess says every farmer can become an agvocate in his or her own way.
February 16, 2016
We continue this weeks Agvocacy series with Carrie Mess, also know as Dairy Carrie. One of the goals of the Dairy Carrie blog is to inspire other farmers to find their voices. Mess says every farmer can become an agvocate in his or her own way.
Agvocacy Series: What We Can Learn From Activists
February 15, 2016
This week, Growing America will be sharing insight from some of the nations leading Agvocates. We start the week off with Jennifer Weinberg, a co-owner of a small New Jersey beef cattle operation. Be sure to check out the other stories this week as we'll be visiting with Dairy Carrie, Greg Peterson and others.
February 15, 2016
This week, Growing America will be sharing insight from some of the nations leading Agvocates. We start the week off with Jennifer Weinberg, a co-owner of a small New Jersey beef cattle operation. Be sure to check out the other stories this week as we'll be visiting with Dairy Carrie, Greg Peterson and others.
Research Finds Genetic Basis for Resistance to Sudden Death Syndrome in Soybeans
February 12, 2016
Iowa State University agronomy and plant pathology researchers have narrowed the search for genes that help soybeans resist sudden death syndrome, a costly disease, pointing the way for crop breeders to develop more resilient and profitable soybean cultivars for farmers.
February 12, 2016
Iowa State University agronomy and plant pathology researchers have narrowed the search for genes that help soybeans resist sudden death syndrome, a costly disease, pointing the way for crop breeders to develop more resilient and profitable soybean cultivars for farmers.
Next in Line: The Fine Art of Transitioning Your Farm
February 11, 2016
Like all families, farm families have a collection of those “off limits” topics for the dinner table. For some it’s politics. For others, it’s when will so-and-so ever get married for heaven’s sake? But the one topic that creates the most stress among farm family members is “who inherits the farm?”
February 11, 2016
Like all families, farm families have a collection of those “off limits” topics for the dinner table. For some it’s politics. For others, it’s when will so-and-so ever get married for heaven’s sake? But the one topic that creates the most stress among farm family members is “who inherits the farm?”
Tick Genome Reveals Inner Workings of a Versatile Blood-Guzzler
February 10, 2016
An international team of scientists led by Purdue University has sequenced the genome of the tick that transmits Lyme disease, the most common vector-borne illness in North America. The decadelong project, involving 93 authors from 46 institutions, decodes the biology of an arachnid with sophisticated spit, barbed mouthparts and millions of years of successful parasitism. The genome of Ixodes scapularis, known as the deer tick or blacklegged tick, also sheds light on how ticks acquire and transmit pathogens and offers tick-specific targets for control.
February 10, 2016
An international team of scientists led by Purdue University has sequenced the genome of the tick that transmits Lyme disease, the most common vector-borne illness in North America. The decadelong project, involving 93 authors from 46 institutions, decodes the biology of an arachnid with sophisticated spit, barbed mouthparts and millions of years of successful parasitism. The genome of Ixodes scapularis, known as the deer tick or blacklegged tick, also sheds light on how ticks acquire and transmit pathogens and offers tick-specific targets for control.
Trained Eagles Taking Down Drones
February 09, 2016
So you bought yourself a drone for Christmas and it’s been great for checking out your fields and keeping tabs on the cattle. The question is…did you get the thing registered or are you flying rogue?
February 09, 2016
So you bought yourself a drone for Christmas and it’s been great for checking out your fields and keeping tabs on the cattle. The question is…did you get the thing registered or are you flying rogue?
Vertical Farming: A Straight-Up Solution or Pure Hype
February 08, 2016
For most farmers, it’s been a no-brainer to adopt the high-tech aids and equipment that have emerged over recent years, from GPS crop management tools to insecticide-infused ear tags for livestock, even drones. But the latest innovation being floated may give farmers pause. It’s called Vertical Farming (VF), an idea that, quite literally, suggests that the sky’s the limit for growing crops.
February 08, 2016
For most farmers, it’s been a no-brainer to adopt the high-tech aids and equipment that have emerged over recent years, from GPS crop management tools to insecticide-infused ear tags for livestock, even drones. But the latest innovation being floated may give farmers pause. It’s called Vertical Farming (VF), an idea that, quite literally, suggests that the sky’s the limit for growing crops.
Your next New Farmhand Could Be a Robot
February 05, 2016
Imagine sending a robot into your crop field to monitor growth, check for pests, and tell you which ones need more water or fertilizer. Now imagine that same robot can stomp out weeds by simply ramrodding them into the ground.
February 05, 2016
Imagine sending a robot into your crop field to monitor growth, check for pests, and tell you which ones need more water or fertilizer. Now imagine that same robot can stomp out weeds by simply ramrodding them into the ground.
