Agriculture

Feeding America says rising prices is impacting the supplies at food banks.   Chief Government Relations Officer Vince Hall says they’ve asked Congress for financial support to meet the rising demand for food assistance. “Rising food costs can stem from rising prices for agriculture inputs like fuel, fertilizer and seed and the cost of transportation affects farmers and ranchers just as much as local food banks.” He says food banks […]

An extension entomologist is concerned about how blustery spring conditions could affect insect pressure this growing season. Erin Hodgson with Iowa State University says many pests are migratory and easily travel within a field or even between fields. “But these really high winds can even further push an insect beyond what they might be able to fly on their own, so you might just have more erratic infestations in places […]

The CEO of the nation’s largest agricultural cooperative says the company is adjusting to supply chain challenges. Jay Debertin with CHS tells Brownfield they’re working closely with local coops and producers. “Upsets and slowdowns and issues around transportation (and other) ways to get to port, but we’re navigating it. It’s what we do (and) who we are, and I think things will sort out okay.” He says CHS wants to […]

Planting is off to a slow start in Indiana because of cool and wet conditions. Jordan Arndell is a DEKALB Asgrow technical agronomist based in southern Indiana. “We have next to nothing planted,” he says. “The maps that show planting updates are still near 0 percent, maybe 1 percent, for southern Indiana and Kentucky.” Arndell tells Brownfield the forecast for higher temperatures and wind is good news for growers. ...

Finding common ground on drought relief continues to evade the two chambers of the Minnesota Legislature. Representative Samantha Vang is vice chair of the House Agriculture Committee and tells Brownfield the House is ready to meet with members of the Senate as soon as possible. “Some of the biggest differences would be the funding amounts for farmers and producers.” She says the House bill evenly distributes drought relief funds while […]

Today is Earth Day, but to the countless farmers growing a safe and sustainable food supply, every day is Earth Day. The American Farm Bureau Federation, the nation’s largest general farm organization, says that data from the Environmental Protection Agency continue to show that U.S. farmers and ranchers are leading the way in caring for land, air, and water. Healthy Living: Click here for more information. ...

The US Cotton Trust Protocol says Earth Day is the perfect time to highlight the increased sustainability of US cotton production. David Blakemore is a board member and a cotton ginner from Missouri.  “We’re holding the soil, we’re using cover crops, we’re using legumes to help fix nitrogen,” he says.  “The tillage radishes that are being used to help take the fertilizer down and hold it, and then release it […]