Tractor and combine sales are starting to dip below the five-year average, according to data from the Agriculture Marketing Resource Center (AMRC). What does this mean for farmers and farmers in training? How can these individuals adapt to the changing market? This article will answer those questions and more! Expected Reasons For many years, farmers … Read more
Farmers across the United States are adopting free-range farming methods, which allow their livestock to roam freely on open pastures, as opposed to traditional factory farming practices that keep the animals contained in cramped spaces. While some consumers view free-range methods as more humane and healthier, a new study warns that allowing animals to roam … Read more
In the six months since they ended their Freedom to Farm program, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has paid twice as much in subsidies to American farmers than it did during the same period last year, according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG). In September, Congress passed the Freedom to Farm Act, which ended decades … Read more
Every farmer in Texas has been feeling the effect of the drought this year. While some have experienced milder effects than others, it’s safe to say that most farmers will suffer as a result of the drought this year, no matter how well they managed their resources. That said, many farmers are still in shock … Read more
Cargill has purchased Delacon, a Dutch company that specializes in phytogenic feed additives. Phytogenic feed additives are developed from plant extracts, and can be used as natural alternatives to antibiotics in livestock feed for poultry, swine, ruminants, and aquaculture animals. For example, plants such as fenugreek can be used as an alternative to tetracycline in … Read more
Pesticides are the number one threat to pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and bats, according to the U.S. USDA’s short list. To help reverse this effect, President Obama signed the Pollinator Health Protection Act in May 2016 to create a pollinator conservation center in Connecticut. The next step in this initiative will be to find … Read more
Farming can be one of the most lucrative career paths, but only if you’re able to remain competitive with what you produce. That’s why many farmers are now looking to expand their business beyond U.S. borders, with Russia and China as top targets, according to a recent report by Bloomberg Businessweek. Why this decision … Read more
Shrimp farming might not be the most well-known aspect of the aquaculture industry, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t one of the most important. For those of you unfamiliar with shrimp farming, here’s how it works: producers build an enclosure on the water where they raise juvenile shrimp (typically Penaeus vannamei or Litopenaeus vannamei). After … Read more
In order to successfully raise fish for food, it’s important to have the right equipment and a solid understanding of the fundamentals of fish farming. Fortunately, there are several straightforward steps you can take that will give you everything you need to know about raising fish for food, from planning your project to maintaining optimal … Read more
Milking cows are far from the docile animals most people envision when they think of dairy farms, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some things you might not know about how to milk cows properly. Here are five surprising facts about milking cows on dairy farms. #1 Milk production can be unpredictable 1) Milk … Read more