Marketing and market prices seem to be the big issue this fall as everyone realizes we have lots of bushels seeking a home. Livestock numbers are up while export numbers appear erratic and headed downwards. Ethanol numbers remain static, but with only one new plant built in the Midwest in the last three years there […]
Consultant Bob Streit: No input is immune from “saving” $100 per acre in 2016 Read More »
On Dec. 5, World Soil Day, two charitable foundations launched a $20 million new “Soil Health Institute” dedicated to” “serve as the primary resource for soil health information, working to set soil-health standards and measurement, build knowledge about the economics of soil health, offer educational programs, and coordinate research in all aspects of soil and
“Soil Health Institute” announced — to break new ground on soil biology Read More »
This winter’s crop production seminar offered by BRT Ag&Turf introduces a whole new dimension: A morning session devoted to safe, pure and abundant water for your family, your farm and future generations. That will be the focus of presenters from the Blue Planet Groupe, a dedicated core of innovators who realize that water is fast
Dec. 10-11: Free seminar focusing on profitable “Farming for Future Generations” Read More »
We’ve long hoped for a robotic, GPS-controlled laser “cultivator” that would whack weeds out of crops. Scanning leaf shapes would be one way for the system to tell weeds from corn or beans. But a more practical way is already under development: Seed treating crops with a marking compound which causes the growing crop’s leaves to
Big step toward robotic weed control: Crops that emit a special frequency Read More »
Independent scientists across the European Union are warning the European Food Standards Agency (EFSA) to look at the full range of health impact data before re-registering glyphosate herbicide. The Deutsche Welle news agency has a revealing look at this controversy at this link. The World Health Organization has listed glyphosate as a “probable human carcinogen,” while the EFSA
European Parliament debates scientific basis for renewing glyphosate registration Read More »
A non-profit international group encouraging ag biodiversity published a detailed report at this link on Dec. 1, revealing that the Argentine public has stepped up opposition against GMO crops and related chemicals. It could be a preview of coming distractions here in the Midwestern USA. Almost certainly, any meaningful opposition to biotech in America will arise
Grassroots biotech battle in Argentina heats up as health issues become more clear Read More »
In-furrow fertility offers one of the most consistently favorable cost-return ratios. And it’s easy to trickle nutrients, biological inoculants, and WakeUP in-furrow behind the seed with your planter. The per-acre volume isn’t high, so you don’t slow down the planter much at all. It’s also one of the easiest techniques to test and refine. You can typically see
How in-furrow fertility triggers crops into a vigorous start Read More »
Here are three of the most curious contradictions of the climate conference opening in Paris this week: 1. Although “climate change” hardly registers as a concern of the average U.S. or E.U. citizen (for good reasons), Western politicians persist in promoting a UN pact as one of the greatest urgencies to save the planet. Britain has already
Paris: What the politicians are trying to control is you, not the climate Read More »
A “Congress of Physicians” in Argentina, representing regions heavily sprayed with ag pesticides, today released a new declaration demanding immediate curbs on ag pesticides which they see as responsible for worsening health in their population. To fully understand the facts and their determination, here’s the link to the Declaration of the third national congress of physicians
Argentine doctors call for sharp restrictions on crop pesticides — especially glyphosate Read More »
Some localities in California’s Central Valley are sinking as much as 2 inches a month as farmers pump massive volumes of irrigation water during this extended regional drought. A feature in The Guardian newspaper by Suzanne Goldenberg details the dilemma. California’s drought is one of the “poster stories” propelling emotions at the upcoming COP21 climate conference in
Farmers in California’s Central Valley struggle while the ground under them sinks Read More »