Agriculture

When Patrick Montgomery returned to civilian life after serving as a U.S. Army Ranger, he was determined to become veterinarian. Instead, Montgomery ended up becoming a first generation rancher and making the “Best Hot Dog in the World” from the premium Wagyu beef produced by his Kansas City Cattle Co. Using the momentum of his …

Former Army Ranger-Turned-Rancher Supports U.S. Military Vets with “Valor Provisions” Read More »

Did you know that about a third of U.S. sorghum production is used to make ethanol? It’s a significant market for sorghum and one that could benefit as policymakers try to navigate the “food over fuel” crop use debate. According to the United Sorghum Checkoff Program, ethanol has for decades been one of the most …

Sorghum is Used to Make a Surprising Amount of Ethanol Read More »

One key reason bird flu, aka avian influenza, is so hard to control is due to its main form of transmission – wild birds. Preventing contact between wild birds and poultry is biosecurity 101, although in practice, it’s a lot easier said than done.  As the industry grows more desperate for a solution, some are …

How Farmers Are Using Lasers to Keep Wild Birds Away Read More »

As we move deeper into Spring, and seeing less of a chance for a late freeze, more folks are spending time getting their gardens in order. From vegetables to herbs to flowers, I’m seeing a little bit of everything already peeking out of the ground around here. For all the gardening enthusiasts out there, I …

Creative Tips, Tricks, and Projects For The Garden Read More »

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 »