Cutting cattle methane emissions through feed studied
02/12/2021
In a large-scale trial, Royal DSM saw emissions fall by as much as 80%. By: Willie Vogt When discussing greenhouse gases, a critical measure is methane. The gas has greater impact than carbon dioxide on climate science, and often livestock are considered the key culprit. A Dutch company may have found the answer for cattle …
Survey suggests U.S. producers to plant 11.5 million acres of cotton
02/12/2021
U.S. cotton producers intend to plant 11.5 million cotton acres this spring, down 5.2% according to the NCC planting intentions survey. By: Delta Farm Press According to the National Cotton Council’s 40th Annual Early Season Planting Intentions Survey, U.S. cotton producers intend to plant 11.5 million cotton acres this spring, down 5.2% from USDA’s estimated …
Western Growers to lead global push to automate fruit harvests
02/12/2021
Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission makes a $200,000 donation toward the effort. By: Tim Hearden A West Coast produce organization wants to teach the specialty-crop world how to automate its harvests, and a tree fruit group in Washington state has pledged $200,000 toward the effort. The Irvine, Calif.-based Western Growers on Feb. 11 launched an …
Antimicrobial stewardship: Vital element of livestock operations
02/12/2021
Antimicrobial stewardship can help maximize disease-prevention and ensure proper use of antimicrobials. By: Donald Stotts Every livestock producer’s to-do list for February should include an in-depth review of his or her operation’s antimicrobial stewardship program, according to Oklahoma State University Extension recommendations. Since the introduction of antimicrobials in the 1940s, illness and deaths in both …
Agriculture Makes Gains in Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions
02/12/2021
New analysis of EPA data highlights agricultural emissions reductions and the importance of developing new research and technologies to capture more carbon in cropland and pastureland. The American Farm Bureau Federation’s latest Market Intel also reviews trends in U.S. carbon sequestration as climate-smart farming practices increase. The report reveals that U.S. carbon sinks offset 12% of U.S. …
Prepare Livestock for Cold Weather
01/25/2021
With cold days ahead, producers should ensure their animals are safe. January 22, 2021, 2:25 pm | Allyson Beninga, Grant Dewell, Chris Rademacher AMES, Iowa – The colder temperatures of the winter season are on the way and livestock producers should make sure their animals are well cared for. Access to clean water, ample feed …
Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll Shows Farmers’ Beliefs on Climate Change Are Shifting
01/22/2021
Annual survey finds more than 80% of farmers believe climate change is occurring. AMES, Iowa – Climate change is impacting Iowa agriculture and negative impacts are expected to increasingly threaten agricultural productivity in the state. There are many ways, however, that farmers and landowners can increase the resiliency of production systems, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and even capture …
FDA, USDA still at odds regarding livestock gene-editing
01/14/2021
In public comments earlier this week, the current Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn says he would refuse to sign the memorandum of understanding between the FDA and USDA addressing gene-edited livestock shifting oversight to USDA. The statement again reveals the ongoing turf war between the two agencies and likely continued discussion as …
Can corn’s winning streak continue?
01/05/2021
While the world suffered through pandemic and recession in 2020, the past 12 months weren’t bad at all for prices of many assets. That includes values of major crops. Though energy, livestock and the standing of the U.S. dollar suffered last year, other contracts posted double digit gains. Grains, stocks, metals and financials all ended …
IFES 2020-Grain Farm Incomes in 2020 and 2021
01/01/2021
This is a presentation summary from the 2020 virtual Illinois Farm Economics Summit (IFES). A video of the webinar and PowerPoint Slides (PDF) are available here. Expectations of net incomes on Illinois grain farms changed over 2020. Above trend yields in 2020 combined with higher corn and soybean prices will lead to higher 2020 crop revenue …