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Innovations advancing real Christmas tree popularity
Artificial Christmas trees have risen in popularity over the years but innovations in the real Christmas tree industry in the last decade have provided a surge in popularity for the real deal. Christmas tree grower John Tillman of Washington state says recent advancements have provided producers with a more diverse product and given consumers a greater choice for the holidays. Tilman says traceability of seedlings has given tree farms more confidence in their future fully grown trees. Tilman...
July rains benefitting most major crop areas
The United States primary growing regions for corn and soybeans have been receiving beneficial rainfall during the crucial stretch of the growing season. For corn and soybean production areas of the United States, USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says drought levels are...
Ag history and modern technology on display at the Smithsonian
When you think of museums, you may think of old artifacts and history, but museum curators are also watching modern-day technology and how it tells the story of changing times. Abeer Saha, curator of the Smithsonian American History Museum in Washington, D.C., said...
Grassley says farmers fed up with no new farm bill
Farmers are fed up with Congress’ failure to produce a new farm bill and will likely feel the economic impact. That’s according to United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA). Grassley (R-IA) was hopeful early in 2024 that a new farm bill would be agreed to in the new...
Modernizing the Federal Milk Marketing Orders
In early July, the USDA released its recommendations for modernizing the Federal Milk Marketing Orders. Stephen Cain, senior director of economic research and analysis for the National Milk Producers Federation, shared his initial reaction to the proposal. The...
ISU studying benefits of grass-to-gas energy production for farmers
We’re proud of our ability to produce corn and soybeans at a high level in the state of Iowa, but one of the unintended consequences of growing those dominant row crops is the effect they have on the soil. Erosion, fertilizer runoff, and greenhouse gas emissions are...
Majority of beef cattle farms have small herds
The United States has numerous beef cow-calf farms that raise beef calves at least through weaning. However, USDA data says while there are a large number of farms, most are relatively small. Data from the 2022 Census of Agriculture indicated that 55 percent of...
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Biologicals provide most benefit for producers with a supplemental approach
The biological market has expanded very quickly in recent years and biological companies are striving to demonstrate their value to producers as part of a supplemental crop plan. Brent Lackey is the head of biologicals product marketing with Syngenta and he says that...
Recent rains soaking deep into the soil profile
After one of the driest starts in recorded history for October, the end of the month brought plenty of rain. At this point, the weather is now continuing with a wetter pattern. Justin Glisan, state climatologist for Iowa, gave an update on the latest conditions. Since...
Adding value to the U.S. pork industry through innovation
Research-backed innovation uses technology, consumer trends and cuts to add value to the product. Kevin Sheehan, director of processor engagement at the National Pork Board, said innovation has been very beneficial to the packer side of the industry. Sheehan said...
Tractor manufacturers slow production as demand declines
As farmers struggle with low crop prices, relatively high interest rates and increased input costs, fewer are making big-ticket purchases like tractors, combines and farm implements, resulting in a backlog of inventory across the globe. Machinery manufacturer AGCO has...
What would a major animal disease response look like?
We talk at length about the diseases that affect the livestock industry, whether it is H5N1, PRRS, or BRD. One of the things we have been blessed to not discuss, though, is African Swine Fever (ASF) or any other foreign animal disease (FAD) of that caliber. We know...
