Latest News From Ag Sustainability

It will be a combination of cover crops, reduced nitrogen rates or split nitrogen applications as well as nutrient reduction wetlands, bioreactors, and saturated buffers Iowa farmers will use to meet their goals.

Broader than carbon alone, ForGround aims to encompass regenerative agricultural practices and technologies and then connect those in-field decisions to downstream companies and their sustainability goals. 

John Phipps says he was aware that the West and especially the southern Plains had high average wind speeds, he didn't realize the Midwest was also a good place to site wind turbines, especially the newer, larger ones.

Dick Billings passed away several years ago, but his wife, their son and granddaughters have been able to build upon his vision for the family’s operation, thanks to a team of farmers and a forestry consultant.

Even though animal manure has been used as fertilizer as long as there have been animals, Phinite’s robotic drying system makes the product easier to store, transport, and eliminates any odor.

“Everything we do is conservation minded for water and soil erosion, and there is no incentive for that except the viability of our farm,” says Tracy Zink. “And if we don’t do that, then we won’t be here.”

Starting July 19, once a week for four weeks an online session will go live.

America’s Conservation Ag Movement is hosting a series of farmer-led, in-the-field agronomic events in five states this summer. 

“Now we're scrambling for batteries to get up to the 150,000 production rate next year,” said Ford Pro CEO Ted Cannis, “because the demand is overwhelming.”

The overall 40% of production being wasted seems a consensus number, but that is not for home waste but all waste. John Phipps digs up the true statistics when it comes to food waste.

Through a collaboration with Ford Pro, Ford Motor Company’s commercial division, Wilbur-Ellis will initially integrate 10 of the new Ford F-150 Lightning electric pickup trucks into its fleet in California.

Some farmers are concerned about the possibility of losing farmland to energy projects like wind and solar. John Phipps points out some major misconceptions about the placement of solar projects.

Cover crops, conservation tillage, irrigation optimization, fertilizers and pesticides all have a fit on Rondo Farms, but only when they're right for the land, the agronomy and the financials.

Adam Jones, a conservation agronomist at MFA Inc., came on The Scoop podcast to share how he helps farmers implement an entire system of soil health, conservation, and yield success on their farms.

In April, Truterra announced a springboard for its focus in soil health. A network of agronomists will facilitate implementation of agronomic practices alongside its retail agronomists and their farmer customers.

Opponents of wind energy may be encouraged by the financial difficulties of the industry, since wind generated electricity costs are now rising after years of being driven lower by new technology and competition.

CEO of ClearFlame says its modified diesel engines in trucks and farm machinery offer the same power and performance of traditional diesel engines but with lower fuel costs and fewer emissions. Look for them this summer.

Don't overlook planter applied nitrogen when thinking about nitrogen stabilizers.

“Drift can never be eliminated; however, it can be minimized if pesticides are applied under favorable weather conditions and by adopting proven drift reduction strategies,” says IFCA.

By investing in the welfare of our pigs and renewable energy through our biogas plant, we are doing what we can to protect the welfare of our planet---one step at a time.

Although the meaning of sustainability has been subjected to a variety of interpretations, Animal Agriculture Alliance points out it is critical to understand sustainability is a continuous journey, not a destination.

About 500 rural counties in the U.S. have too few or no veterinarians. The lack poses risks to farming livelihoods and, ultimately, the country's food supply.

The National Mall in Washington, D.C. will look different this week. AEM is hosting a Celebration of Modern Agriculture event to showcase the nation’s finest agricultural machinery.

The U.S. is the second or third top importer for each of the three major components of fertilizer. Top producers of the major components of fertilizer include China, Russia, Canada, Morocco and Belarus.

It is clear the current administration sees the USDA and its influence over domestic agriculture as critical to fight climate change. What is not so clear is the definition of a “climate-smart” commodity.

“Agriculture is one of the key solutions in a more carbon positive future,” says Mitchell Hora.

Aaron Krueger's conservation practices have created more resiliency on his land and reduced input use. He expects to gain additional rewards during his second phase of management and practice changes.

Producers turn to their peers for insights on new practices and technologies while balancing environmental stewardship with daily priorities such as labor availability and succession planning.

There are a range of efforts underway worldwide to curb methane production by cattle.

It's easy to knock something you know little or nothing about. Farmers who are working to adopt conservation practices on their operations face ridicule routinely. Yet their efforts now could help us all in the future.

Dairy farmers made progress on the U.S. Dairy Net Zero Initiative and the industry advanced multiple partnership projects on many fronts, including research into methane reduction and collaboration with food companies.

As you evaluate input options for next spring, here are five steps to size up whether a biological might be a good fit for your farm.

A USDA-National Resources Inventory report shows soil erosion rates on cropland decreased 35% from 1982 to 2017. Even so, some members of the agricultural community say rates are unsustainable for crop production.

Feed additives, metabolic pathways and methane-reducing gene traits all are part of new research efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from dairy cows.

In most scenarios, companies want to incentivize growers by paying them to use regenerative farming practices, especially no-till and cover crops, on ground where they haven’t used such practices previously.

“This is the perfect time to launch a truly renewable, electric powered tractor, which is repowered with solar energy,” says Mani Iyer.

Via this partnership, farmers are eligible for two payments. Bayer will pay its $3, $6, $9/acre incentives. CHS will offer financial incentives for its enhanced efficiency fertilizers: N-Edge, Trivar and Levesol. 

On Tuesday, the United States and the United Arab Emirates used COP26 climate talks to launch efforts to channel funding into making agriculture resilient to climate change, as well as to cut its emissions.

Nomination deadline for The Fertilizer Institute’s (TFI) 2022 4R Advocate Awards program is November 5. The program recognizes farmers and fertilizer retailers for their commitment to nutrient stewardship.

Sanborn Field is rooted in deep history. Started in 1888, it’s a historic landmark that’s far from a history museum as the research continues to reveal the keys to improving soil health.

Southwest Airlines announced the airline plans to replace 10% of its total jet fuel consumption with the sustainable aviation fuel by 2030. The push for sustainable aviation fuel could be a big demand boon for soybeans.

Allison Nepveux, Director of Sustainability at Bushel, details the intersection of technology and supply chains and how it’s opening opportunities for grain elevators and farmers in digitizing their business.

“This marks day one of the beginning for how we can measure how these practices are being used,” TFI CEO Corey Rosenbusch says.

Auga says its M1 tractor can replace a 400 horsepower diesel tractor and run for up to 12 hours thanks to larger, quick-change gas cartridges.

Trust In Beef™ is Drovers’ commitment to aid ranchers’ sustainability journey.

The cooperative and its partners are using sustainability as a starting point for conversations about dairies’ plans for business growth and the future of the industry.

The White House is accelerating its efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of the nation’s transportation system, and soybean growers could soon cash in on a new opportunity around low carbon fuel standards.

On Thursday, NCBA announced a plan to address beef sustainability and solidify their commitment to environmental, economic and social sustainability for the U.S. Cattle Industry.

Ongoing litigation contributed to the company's decision. However, farmers and retailers will continue to have access to glyphosate for weed control, company officials say.

Soil carbon sequestration can become an important mitigation strategy if there is agreed upon, credible, cost-effective and consistent measurement, reporting and verification behind the credits, according to researchers.