News & Events

A New Kind Of Agriculture Replaces Intuition With Precision

Published May. 17, 2013

The key is precision farming: the convergence of digital technology that allows farmers to apply just the right amount of fertilizer and water on their fields. Humans have practiced a rather crude form of agriculture for millennia: we douse fields to give them as much water and fertilizer as we think they need. Yet field conditions may differ drastically within a few feet.

Agriculture Close To Avoiding Furloughs

Published May. 22, 2013

Senate appropriators have approved the department’s request to shift funds within the Rural Development division to avoid furloughing about 4,800 employees because of sequestration, according to an aide. House lawmakers have not yet responded but a decision could come as early as today or Wednesday, J

Agriculture is expected to remain strong in the coming decade

Published May. 14, 2013

Overall, this report indicates an optimistic future that includes some bumps along the way. A couple of these bumps include the short-term softening of commodity prices which are affected by increased production encouraged by high prices from the drought induced short crops of 2012 and increasing crude oil prices.

Agriculture Phrases that Frustrate Me

Published May. 16, 2013

Why are we getting so stuck on terminology, and who is “better” than the “other”. And, why are we so worried about everyone who does things differently? If we look at differences under the same narrow focus, does that mean that corn farmers cannot get along with peanut farmers? What about fruit and vegetable farmers? They are different…why are they not arguing over methods of raising produce?

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Unveils Vision for U.S. Organic Agriculture

Published May. 15, 2013

Vilsack announced a number of changes and new initiatives to support the continued growth of organic agriculture, including that the USDA's Risk Management Agency's (RMA) federal crop insurance program will increase coverage options for organic producers this year and provide even more options in 2014, including a contract price addendum as well as new premium price elections for organic crops.

American Farm Bureau Opens Annual Photo Contest

Published May. 21, 2013

The contest runs May 20 to Oct. 15. All submissions must portray agriculture and safe practices of farmers and ranchers.

Are your farm acres covered?

Published May. 13, 2013

The Muskingum and Guernsey conservation districts will have a cover crop informational meeting from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. May 30. The meeting will be at the Guernsey-Muskingum Electric Co-Op meeting room, 17 S. Liberty St., New Concord.

As you’re planting, remember FSA deadlines

Published May. 17, 2013

You’ve only got until June 3 to enroll in Acre for this year. You catch a break with DCP and have until Aug. 2 to enroll in DCP (and yes, that’s after the deadline for reporting your crops).

BASF Plans First Agriculture Product Site in Asia on Food Demand

Published May. 23, 2013

BASF, which spends 430 million euros ($554 million) on research and development at its herbicide and fungicide unit, will invest an average of 300 million euros annually on additional production sites, it said today. The chemical maker is counting on Asia to be one of the main growth drivers to help it achieve a goal of 110 billion euros in revenue by the end of the decade.

Bowman v. Monsanto: U.S. Supreme Court sides with Monsanto in biotech ag seed pa

Published May. 14, 2013

A federal court in Indiana ruled in favor of Monsanto and awarded damages to Monsanto of $84,456. The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit upheld the case, before the Supreme Court agreed to hear the matter. (Read the Supreme Court’s opinion in Bowman v. Monsanto.)