A Roadmap to Better Decision Making

The “Grain Weevil” is a life-saving piece of machinery designed to keep farmers out of grain bins. The company’s mission statement, “No Boots in the Grain,” is made possible with the Grain Weevil robot that does the dirty, dangerous work of managing stored grain.Grain Weevil has been creating buzz in the ag community since father-son team Chad and Ben Johnson ...
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The business of Christmas tree farming is like any other crop production operation, in that the opportunity to turn a profit revolves around a once-a-year harvest. Christmas tree farming carries some unique risks, too, not least of which is the seven to fifteen years between planting and maturity, an investment that can be wiped out in an instant by drought, ...
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Rural America is isolated from the outside world in a variety of ways, something that a lot of its residents no doubt consider a “perk.” That does not mean they are uninterested in what’s going on and how it’s impacting their communities, though. Often, real local news can only be found on the AM radio dial, including emergency alerts. But ...
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USDA’s latest update to its 2024 farm income forecast provides a slightly better outlook than its previous estimate, though not by much. Net farm income, a broad measure of profits, is pegged at $140.7 billion in 2024, up from $140.0 billion forecast in September. The new forecast represents a -4.1% decline from 2023 net farm income of $146.7 billion and ...
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Agriculture is one of Kentucky’s leading and most vital industries, contributing about $45.6 billion to the state’s economy each year. Of Kentucky’s 25.4 million acres, just under 50% is considered farmland. The state is an important contributor to U.S. corn and soybean production, as well as poultry, eggs, and cattle. However, the state’s farmers dedicate more acreage to hay than ...
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Soil is arguably one of the most important parts of our planet's ecosystem and critical for human survival. Without it, there would be no farmers as there would literally be no ground to sow. In order to raise awareness about the significance of soil as a vital resource, the United Nations in 2013 designated December 5th as "World Soil Day." ...
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Argentina’s corn production is expected to decrease sharply in the 2024/25 crop season; at least, that's the early story we are hearing. Personally, I'm not entirely sold on the headlines, but time will tell. In case you haven't heard, the Rosario Board of Trade estimates a -25% decrease in corn planted area, the largest relative drop in 17 years. According ...
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Most Americans are very familiar with the Pillsbury Company, which has given us a host of iconic products, including the company's Classic Yellow Cake Mix, every flavor of pre-made frosting, and those addictive Crescent Rolls. Pillsbury's marketing efforts for its various brands also generated iconic characters like the Doughboy and Jolly Green Giant. The company itself is no longer around ...
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The USDA’s latest Farm Labor Report reveals that the national wage rate for field and livestock workers is now $18.12 an hour, a +3.2% increase from last year. According to Samantha Ayoub, Farm Bureau Associate Economist, “no one realistically pays the national wage, so regionally, there was an average about a +4.5% increase in regional wages.” The Farm Labor Survey ...
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Thanksgiving is probably going to look different for a lot of folks this year, for obvious reasons. One thing that probably won't change for a lot of families in America is the menu. Some people are planning to scale things back to serve fewer people this year, but most I've talked to are dead set on keeping with their long-standing ...
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