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Ag News

Thinking More About “National Ag Day”

I know yesterday I talked about National Ag Week, but today we officially celebrate "National Ag Day", and from my perspective we need all the good media attention we can get so I thought I woudl share some additional thoughts and data. It was back in 1973 when the Agriculture Council of America (ACA) created this day to increase the ...
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Celebrate Farming During National Agriculture Week

National Agriculture Week is here, organized every year by the Agriculture Council of America. The celebration this year runs March 17-23, and as always corresponds with National Ag Day, which is officially celebrated on Tuesday, March 19 this year. Both celebrations are about recognizing - and celebrating - the contributions of farmers and agriculture in our everyday lives. When the ...
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The History of America’s Most Popular St. Patrick’s Day Meal

St. Patrick's Day is this weekend, March 17th, which for many Americans means stuffing themselves with corned beef. Most probably assume this is a traditional Irish food but it was actually created right here in the US by Irish immigrants. While Ireland does have a long and somewhat complicated history with the dish, it was nothing like what we call ...
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Microbes Might be Evolving to Eat Plastic

A new study from a team of scientists at Chalmers University in Sweden describes how microbes in soil and water may be evolving to eat plastic. The researchers found the evidence in DNA samples taken from the environment, which revealed some 30,000 unique enzymes that are capable of degrading 10 different types of plastics.The researchers believe that as many as ...
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What You Need to Know About Brazil’s Developing Farm Crisis

There has been talk lately of rising bankruptcies among Brazil farmers that could dent hopes for continued expansion in the ag sector.  Now, a new report from credit data provider Serasa Experian puts some hard numbers to the troubling rumors, including a +535% increase in farmer bankruptcy filings in 2023.Marcelo Pimenta, head of agribusiness at Serasa Experian, emphasizes that the ...
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From Workwear to Fashion Staple – The History of Overalls

Overalls have been a workwear favorite on the farm and beyond for over a century. Since then, they have gone on to become an iconic outfit staple in American fashion and pop culture. While manufacturers like Levi Strauss and Lee Jeans claim to have the first patents for overalls, the earliest versions of the garments can be traced all the ...
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How a Warmer-Than-Usual Winter Could Impact 2024-25 Crop Production

Heading into planting season, there is a lot of talk about a lack of moisture in some key growing regions. Much of the US Midwest experienced a warmer-than-usual winter which, in addition to drying out soils, could cause other issues for producers this year.  This year’s warmer-than-typical winter is mostly blamed on the El Niño weather pattern that developed last ...
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NEW CRISPR-Edited Pigs Could Soon Be in Grocery Stores

Meat from genetically edited pigs may be on grocery store shelves within the next couple of years if things go according to plan for UK-based Genus PLC. The company’s pigs are engineered to resist the virus that causes porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), one of the most economically devastating diseases faced by the pork industry.  If approved, the pigs ...
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Seriously… Dartmouth Men’s Basketball Team Votes to Unionize

Dartmouth's men’s basketball team voted 13-2 yesterday in favor of forming a "union". Yes, you read that correctly, the basketball team is unionizing. As someone who played college sports, and is greatly appreciative of the opportunity, this blows my mind. My parents told me as far back as I could remember, that once I graduated high school and turned 18, ...
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Farm Incomes Projected to Get Hit Hard in 2024

Crop prices are being pressured lower and lower and in return US farm income is forecast to take a sizable step backward. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that one. In fact, US farm income in 2024 is forecast to tumble -25.5% versus last year, according to the USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS). Adjusting for inflation, the projected ...
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