The chorus of voices that want to bring radical change to the way American farmers farm seems to be growing louder as they seek to sway sympathetic ears in Washington. Campaigns against pesticide use in particular threaten not only U.S. agricultural output but vital Farm Bill programs that support the ag economy. Pesticides are …
What the Loss of Glyphosate Would Cost American Farmers Read More »
The US rural population continues to grow, according to USDA’s 2024 edition of “Rural America at a Glance.” Population gains between 2020 to 2023 occurred in almost all county types regardless of degree of rurality. In total, around 46 million people lived in rural counties in 2023, comprising about 14% of the U.S. population. The …
Rural America at a Glance 2024 Edition: Population Rebound Continues Read More »
Minnesota is known as the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” because it literally has over 14,000 bodies of fresh water within its borders. The northernmost contiguous state in the union is also an agricultural powerhouse, ranking sixth in the nation in the value of products sold. A large producer of corn and soybeans, Minnesota claims to …
As most are likely aware, the 2018 Farm Bill expired last year and was given a one-year extension to September 30, 2024, followed by another extension coming up on December 31. While farm and ag industry leaders are pressuring the lame-duck Congress to get a new Farm Bill across the finish line before the end …
Where Things Stand on Farm Economy Relief in Washington Read More »
As part of California Governor Gavin Newsom’s efforts to lower the state’s absurdly high gas prices, state officials are taking steps to adopt the use of E15 fuel, which contains a 15% blend of ethanol in gasoline. The majority of gasoline sold in California contains a 10% of ethanol, and they now stand alone in …
Researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) have developed an “artificial nose” that can detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with impressive accuracy. The breakthrough could revolutionize how we identify a host of hazards, including spoiled food, early disease, dangerous gases, air pollution, and more. Professor Michael Cheffena of NTNU says the key …
“Artificial Nose” Can Sniff Out Spoiled and Contaminated Food Read More »
The Grand Canyon State has a rich agricultural economy thanks to its year-round sunshine and a surprisingly diverse climate. Nearly a third of Arizona farms and ranches raise cattle, with a total around 1 million head in the state. The state is also well known for its milk, cotton, and alfalfa production. Not surprisingly, all …
Scientists have found a way to bypass the biological photosynthesis process that powers plant life by using electricity, and not to power lightbulbs. According to the researchers, their “electro-agriculture” method directly converts CO₂ into a nutrient-rich organic molecule that plants could “consume” as food. The researchers’ method uses a two-step “electrocatalytic” process to convert carbon …
Researchers Find a Way to Grow Food Without Sunshine… And Not By Using Lights! Read More »
Avian Influenza has killed millions of poultry birds in the U.S., giving rise to repeated outbreaks every year that wax and wane, depending on the season. The risk to humans has always been touted as “low” despite some infections in poultry workers over the years. Then in March of this year, the H5N1 strain of …
Why Bird Flu Migrating to Pigs is Worrying Scientists Read More »
Farmers contend with a long list of potential crop hazards every growing season, from droughts and floods, to disease and pests. But multiple farmer surveys done at the many conferences and workshops held this summer and fall reveal that the top challenge on the mind of farmers is labor. The American Farm Bureau Federation estimates …
The H-2B Visa Program Isn’t Keeping Up With Seasonal Immigrant Worker Demand Read More »
