The USDA recently released an interesting analysis, “The Rise and Fall of Bulk Commodities (As a Share of Total U.S. Agricultural Exports).” The report finds that major bulk commodities, as a share of total U.S. agricultural exports, have risen and fallen dramatically since 2020. Beyond short-term price volatilities that have largely driven these developments, changes …
Farm-ng is a California-based agricultural technology startup founded in 2020 with the mission, for now, to empower small and mid-sized farmers through accessible robotics and artificial intelligence. The company was established by Ethan Rublee, who, inspired by the challenges faced by farmers, including persistent labor shortages and operational inefficiencies, saw an opportunity to blend robotics with practical agricultural needs. …
Feral swine—also known as wild pigs, wild boars, wild hogs, and razorbacks— cause major damage to crops, rangeland, waterways, and a slew of other resources and property every year. The latest research estimates that feral hogs caused some $1.6 billion in agricultural losses across 13 states in a single year. The good news is that …
Feral Hog Elimination Efforts Could Save U.S. Agriculture Billions, but Need Funding Read More »
We have reached that time of year when it’s important to be scouting soybean fields for an array of yield-sapping pests and diseases. Catching problems early gives crops the best chance of minimizing yield loss, something that has become even more important amid razor-thin margins for many farmers. Just as important to identifying trouble in …
It’s Soybean Scouting Season – What You Need to Know Read More »
It was this week back in 1867 that Lucien B. Smith of Kent, Ohio was issued patent #66,182 for “barbed wire”. Smith’s design called for spools of four short, sharp metal spikes at right angles. The spools would revolve loosely and be set every 2 to 3 feet along the fence wire. Soon thereafter, several …
Most grocery stores have an entire aisle dedicated to infants and young children. Packaging of many food brands is designed specifically to appeal to younger generations, while flavors and potential health benefits of food products cater to the 18-34 age group that’s been deemed the “most important” by advertisers and marketers the world over. In …
An Aging Population Is a Huge Opportunity for Food Manufacturers Read More »
The use of drones in agriculture is gaining ground as more farmers become interested in the cost and time-saving potential of aerial applications. While the U.S. already has comprehensive regulations for drone-based agricultural chemical spraying, enforced by both federal and state agencies, emerging guidelines from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aim to refine that oversight. …
As Agricultural Drones Take Off, Operators Could Face New Regulations Read More »
I built this platform of mine (some 20 years ago) with the idea of spreading positive thoughts. I was tired of all the doom and gloom in the media and people always looking to tear everyone down rather than helping to be a positive light and build people up. With this in mind, I’ve tried …
Let Your Sunshine In… Energy, Relief, Growth, and Direction Read More »
The population in rural America, aka “nonmetro” areas, continues to make gains, reversing a decade-long period of decline in the 2010s. According to a new analysis from the USDA’s Economic Research Service, the number of people living in nonmetro counties increased by +134,540 (+0.29%) between 2023 and 2024. The recent growth stems entirely from migration, …
Rural America’s Population Has Actually Grown a Bit Despite an Aging Population Read More »
Silicon Valley-based drone company “SiFly” emerged from stealth earlier this year with impressive claims about its capabilities. Compared to popular models from China drone maker “DJI,” SiFly claims its drones offer up to four times the flight endurance and ten times the operational range, enabling operations that require persistent coverage or long-distance travel without battery …
American-Made Drones from “SiFly” Look to Muscle Out China Read More »
