Frank Zyback was growing more and more frustrated with the labor and inconsistency of the irrigation systems of the times in the 1940s on the semi‑arid Plains of eastern Colorado. Zyback’s own farm in Strasburg, CO, would become the first laboratory for his experiments with a brand new concept, “pivot irrigation”. The early rig looked …
Pivoting on the Plains: How One Colorado Farmer Rewrote the Rules of Risk Read More »
Evidence is overwhelming that city kids are much more likely to develop allergies than children in rural communities. The notable difference between these kids’ immune systems has given rise to lot’s of theories but new data sheds light on possible reason why – their immune systems may mature faster, and breast milk appears to play …
Why Farm Kids Have Fewer Allergies Than City Kids…Hint, You Can Thank Mom! Read More »
UK-based “Bactery” has developed a six-inch device that’s designed to be buried in a farm field where it produces enough electricity to power remote IoT devices. It sounds a little crazy at first, but proof-of-concept field trials show that these “soil batteries” – or “bacteries” – really do work! Bactery cofounder Jakub Dziegielowski explains that …
Soil Microbes Might One Day Power All Your Farm Gadgets Read More »
A US-led intervention in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro could have significant impacts on global markets this year. While the country’s vast oil reserves are currently taking the spotlight, US agricultural stakeholders are eyeing the reopening of a significant export market. Venezuela’s economy has contracted more than -60% since Maduro …
Our family will be hosting our annual FARMCON event in KC this week, so no additional Van Trump reports will be released. Our full 2026 coverage schedule will resume next Monday morning, January 12th. I will also be sharing the big takeaways and conversations from FARMCON next week. Thank you for your consideration and support. …
We had the pleasure a few months ago to meet John Puleo from JP Tower Consulting, who specializes in cell tower lease renewals, buyouts, and new lease negotiations. John had recently consulted for one of our clients who was in buyout negotiations and delivered such impressive results that we did some more research and feel …
The good folks over at CoBank recently released their “2026: The Year Ahead” outlook, which examines several key factors that will shape agriculture and market sectors that serve rural communities. Uncertainty surrounding US trade policy is lower than it was a year ago, which brings added stability to the broader outlook for 2026. However, CoBank …
*LAST VAN TRUMP REPORT UNTIL MONDAY, JAN 5, 2026 – Our offices will be closed starting tomorrow for the upcoming Christmas and New Year holidays. We will be spending quality time with family and friends, while also getting ready for our annual FARMCON event. I will issue a full morning report on Monday, January 5th. If something dramatic happens or …
“Chestnuts roasting on an open fire” is not just the iconic first line from the beloved holiday classic “The Christmas Song.” It’s meant to evoke a nostalgic image of the holiday tradition that was common in America. Unfortunately, most of us never had a chance to make that Christmas memory because of a blight that …
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 …
America’s Christmas Tree Farmers Dwindling… But Keeping Holiday Traditions Alive Read More »
