Agriculture

The “corn leafhopper” is a tiny insect that is responsible for transmitting a hugely devastating pathogen – corn stunt disease. Native to Mexico, the insect has spread extensively across the Americas, including to the U.S. starting in the 1940s. Typically limited to warmer-climate states in the South, sporadic outbreaks have caused extensive economic losses ever …

Midwest Growers on High Alert for Return of Corn Leafhoppers Read More »

America’s battle for independence began this weekend in 1775 in Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts. The message below was sent my way years ago and the lesson is part of the National Park Service’s Teaching with Historic Places.“By the rude bridge that arched the floodTheir flags to April’s breeze unfurled,Here once the embattled farmers stood,And fired …

“Embattled Farmers” and the Shot Heard Round the World… I Love This Story! Read More »

If you aren’t tuned into the dairy business or haven’t had kids in school for a while, you may not be aware that whole and 2% milk have been banned in public school meals since 2012. The country at the time was concerned about a so-called “childhood obesity epidemic,” and experts said skim and low-fat …

The Lunchroom Battle Over “Milk” Read More »

Many researchers are studying whether AI can be used to monitor the well-being of animals on farms… With this in mind, researchers at the University of the West of England Bristol and Scotland’s Rural College have developed “Intellipig,” an innovative AI system that can decode animal emotions through facial recognition technology, potentially revolutionizing animal welfare …

This Could Get Crazy… “Animal Welfare” Groups May Soon Use AI to Better Identify Livestock Stress and Wellbeing  Read More »

Each year, April 14 is celebrated as “National Pecan Day” in recognition of the deciduous tree native to the Southern United States. The pecan is genetically a species of hickory and mostly cultivated for its seeds, aka pecans. It’s the state tree of Texas and the state nut of  Alabama, Arkansas, California, Texas, and Louisiana! …

Happy National Pecan Day! Read More »

When Maker’s Mark debuted in the 1950s, the bourbon became known for a few things, its distinctive square-shaped bottle with a red wax seal on the neck, spelling whiskey without the “e” as a nod to the brand’s Scottish heritage, and for being a “wheated bourbon” using red winter wheat as a flavoring grain rather …

Maker’s Mark Debuts “Wheat Whisky” and Pledges More Regenerative Farming Read More »

Soybean growers in Argentina are expected to pull back on planting this year to the tune of nearly -2.5 million acres, according to the latest update from USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) post in Buenos Aires. In it’s “Oilseeds and Products Annual,” FAS says the pullback is due to growers reverting back to traditional corn …

Argentina Soybean Acres Seen Falling by -2.5 Million Next Year Read More »

Farmers in key growing areas are dealing with massive flooding after unrelenting rains inundated states in the central and southeast. Storms dropped 8-16 inches of rain over the Tennessee, Ohio, and Mississippi river basins across a four-day stretch. While rain has left the forecast, communities are still threatened by major flooding from overtopped rivers in …

Flooding Kicks Off Planting Season in Midwest and Southeast U.S. Read More »

At a time when the U.S. beer industry is facing the lowest consumer demand in over 40 years, “Athletic Brewing” has plans to double its annual capacity in 2025. The company is the 20th largest brewery in the U.S. overall but it’s giving even the most well-entrenched brands a run for their money. Athletic Brewing’s …

How “Athletic Brewing” Succeeded in a Market No One Wanted to Touch Read More »

Every year, the Crop Protection Network compiles disease loss reports for major row crops. The organization works with various groups to estimate the impact of major diseases on production based on data pulled from a wide range of sources, including statewide disease surveys, feedback from university Extension, industry, and farmer representatives, and specialized experience with …

How Much Yield Was Lost to Disease Pressure in 2024? Read More »