We constantly hear all of the talk about weather extremes and climate change, but it was on this day back in 1935 that “The Dust Bowl” heatwave reached its peak, with temperatures of 109°F in Chicago, Illinois and 104°F in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The drought itself actually came in three waves, 1934, 1936, and 1939–1940, but …
The average farm profit margin in the U.S. today is just over 11%, a figure that has been largely unchanged for decades. That’s why, in agriculture, running a tight ship and paying close attention to the details is so vitally important to overall profitability. You are invited to attend a webinar we are hosting on …
Tapping the Internet of Things to Make Farms More Efficient Read More »
Most of us probably learned in grade school science class that our Moon’s gravitational pull causes the rise and fall of ocean tides. What you might not know is that the force of that attraction waxes and wanes in conjunction with an 18.6-year lunar cycle. According to a NASA-led study, a new phase in the …
Moon “Wobble” Could Bring Decade of Record Flooding in 2030s Read More »
Farmers in the U.S. are increasingly running into unfamiliar signs of crop diseases with changing climate patterns allowing pathogens to take root in new areas. As correctly identifying the problem is one of the most crucial steps in preserving crop yields, we put together some information on disease threats being reported in new regions across …
NEW Locations for Some Corn and Soybean Diseases Read More »
As agriculture emerged in early civilizations, crops were domesticated in four locations around the world — rice in China; grains and pulses in the Middle East; maize, beans and squash in Mesoamerica; and potatoes and quinoa in the Andes. What about corn??? Scientists believe people living in central Mexico developed corn at least 7000 years …
Water is one of the most important crop inputs on the farm, and for some it can be one of the most expensive. Currently farms pay on average about $41 per acre for irrigation. But that figure jumps to over +$70 per acre in drier areas like California. Clearly, efficient irrigation systems and water management …
Ukraine has been a growing player in the international grains market for over a decade now. Once known as the “breadbasket of Russia,” many argue that the country has never truly lived up to its full agricultural potential. That’s largely thanks to lingering Soviet-era policies that have severely limited investment in the sector, despite the …
More U.S. Competition… Land Market Reforms Giving Ukraine More Agricultural Potential Read More »
Big markets can make big moves so we thought it was time to circle the wagons with some experienced traders and hear their perspective on where we are headed and how to best play the opportunity as a spec and a producer. Enjoy the fireside chat! David Parker, Professional Trader at Olam – David is a graduate …
It was early-July in 1962 that a store called Walmart opened in Rogers, Arkansas. It was the vision of a hard-working rural Midwestern kid named Sam Walton. Sam was born in Oklahoma on a small farm. At around 5 years of age his family moved to Missouri. While attending eighth grade in Shelbina, Missouri, Sam …
From Farm Boy to Eagle Scout to the Richest Man in the World! Read More »
Somewhat surprisingly, NASA has played a big role in the development of many new food technologies that have emerged. Any long-term space mission that the agency hopes to conduct needs a way of producing food as transporting enough packaged food to sustain astronauts just isn’t practical. And obviously, food production will be a necessary capability …
How NASA Funds New Food Technologies Used on Earth Read More »
