China is again pressuring its nation’s hog farmers to aggressively curb production as the industry tries to dig its way out of a massive pork glut. According to China’s state-backed official husbandry association, the pork industry is aiming to shrink the hog herd by as many as 1 million sows, which could have significant impacts …
China Orders Pork Producers to Scale Back Hog Herd Production Read More »
Two professors from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville have just received a US patent for their novel technology that turns spoiled milk into biodegradable plastic. With ongoing backing from the Dairy Innovation Hub, the process converts milk proteins like casein and whey into a sustainable 3D printing material that can replace petroleum-based plastics. Dr. John Obielodan …
University of Wisconsin Professors Turn Spoiled Dairy Into Plastic Read More »
For as long as farmers have been farming, they’ve battled animal pests, diseases, and weeds. These “agripests” pose obvious burdens to farmers, both financially and time wise. However, what many urbanites and critics of crop chemicals fail to realize is that these pests are a serious threat everyone – if farmers can’t control them, a …
There is a building boom happening in rural America, but it has nothing to do with farming. Big tech is bringing massive data centers to towns across the country and it’s stirring up a mix of controversy. Depending on who you ask, the new data center boom is either one of the best or one …
Data Centers Bringing New Opportunities, Along with Major Controversy to Rural America Read More »
October is here, and with Fall officially underway, the weather will be turning increasingly colder across the nation, leaving many wondering when we will experience our first snow. How early it snows obviously depends on your specific location and elevation as well as weather patterns from year-to-year. For some, the earliest snow could actually happen …
October Is Here… When Can We Expect Our First Snow? Read More »
As harvest gets underway, US agriculture is facing low Mississippi River levels for a fourth year in a row. The low water levels are again disrupting grain barge traffic on the Mississippi and threaten to boost freight costs, adding yet another complication for US ag exporters. Typically, around half of all US grain and soybean …
Low Mississippi River Levels Could Compound US Ag Export Headaches Read More »
Amid the rolling wildflower fields of South Africa, a profound disruption is underway in the world of mining, a sector not typically known for its gentleness on the land. What looks like a sea of yellow daisies is actually the launch site of Genomines, a pioneering biotech startup leveraging gene-edited plants to mine nickel, a …
Perhaps One Day We Will Be Farming for Rare Earth Metals… Some Already Are! Read More »
Kubota Corporation has unveiled what it calls the world’s first hydrogen-powered self-driving tractor, a major step forward in addressing both Japan’s acute farm labor shortages and the push toward decarbonization in agriculture. The company presented the prototype at an expo in Osaka in 2025, marking a milestone in the intersection of clean energy and automation. …
Japan Unveils World’s First Hydrogen-Powered Driverless Tractor Read More »
The US Food and Drug Administration recently revealed some big changes coming in 2026. Among them is a significant shift in the “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) substances guidelines. The changes would require companies to notify FDA and provide safety data before they are permitted to introduce a new food ingredient into the food supply. …
Big Changes Coming for Food Ingredient “GRAS” Rule Read More »
After four years in stealth mode, “Terran Biosciences” has emerged with a plan to use its RNA-based technology platform to develop a host of potential applications for protecting and enhancing crops. The company says 15 product candidates are already in development and it has already demonstrated proof-of-concept in corn, soybeans, and tomatoes. Rather than altering …
“Terrana Biosciences” Unveils Plans for RNA-Based Crop Protection Read More »
