Author: staff

DAILY Bites Tokyo University of Science developed a multi-camera system to track dairy cows, improving health monitoring and farm management. The system uses location-based tracking for higher accuracy and less stress on cows than wearable devices. Tests showed 90% accuracy, with plans to automate setup and enhance disease detection. DAILY Discussion Researchers develop a method to track dairy cows across a barn with multi-camera systems, improving accuracy High-quality milk remains in high demand, but managing the health of dairy cows is becoming increasingly challenging. To tackle this, researchers from Tokyo University of Science have developed an innovative location information-based technique…

Health and Human Services nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. came off a day during which he was hammered for more than three hours by members of the Senate Finance Committee. Today — testifying before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions — marked Day 2 in hearings on his path toward a confirmation vote, during which Kennedy said he will work to make sure farmers are full partners in any health approaches he implements. The HHS Cabinet position includes leadership over the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, both of which carry…

Kubota has revealed its newest track loader: the SVL97-3. This model brings refined and upgraded performance, comfort and serviceability features.  “The SVL97-3 is a more refined construction machine, pure and simple. It excels at moving dirt and utilizing a wide range of high flow attachments to get work done quickly,” said Jerry Corder, Kubota product manager. “The further development of the SVL97-3 includes many of the engineering updates of the SVL75-3 launched in 2023, and overall, we have received overwhelmingly positive feedback. For example, the swing-out radiator in the engine compartment is a small thing that will pay big dividends…

Farmers are being forced to adapt to the effects of climate disruptions on their crops’ valuable water resources. The recent millennia of climate stability are rapidly eroding, and farmers who rely on the hydrological cycle to nourish their crops are poised to feel a disproportionate impact from increasing climate disruptions. For decades, the gap between agricultural water use and the annual supply of water resources has been widening, with Food and Agriculture Organization data showing that about 70 percent of freshwater consumption around the world happens in the agricultural sector. Experts are recognizing that this shift is causing less reliable…

By Ryan Hanrahan Reuters’ Diego Oré reported that “Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Wednesday she does not believe the United States will impose tariffs on Saturday as President Donald Trump has pledged, but said her administration has its own response plan in place if needed.” “‘We don’t think it’s going to happen,’ Sheinbaum said at her regular morning press conference. ‘And if it does happen, we also have our plan,’” Oré reported. “In what Mexico sees as the unlikely event that the U.S. does implement tariffs against its largest trading partner on Feb. 1, Mexico is prepared to impose…

Attorney and politician Lee Zeldin was confirmed as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for Trump’s second term in a 56-42 vote on Wednesday. Agricultural industry groups, including several biofuels advocates, released statements reacting to the news and expressing their priorities for the newest cabinet member. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is the largest association of cattle producers and “works to create new markets and increase demand for beef.” Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane congratulated Zeldin saying the organization looks “forward to working with him to protect the clean water and healthy soil…

After the recent Arctic blast, the Midwest will see above-average temperatures and chances for precipitation going into the start of February. Multiple rounds of rainfall are expected in the Southwest United States and move through the Midwest followed by more seasonal, cold temperatures and a chance for a Midwest snowstorm.  David Tolleris, meteorologist and owner of WxRisk.com, said a shift in the weather pattern is coming. Recently, the East Coast and Deep South has seen unprecedented amounts of snow and cold temperatures. According to a report by AccuWeather, New Orleans and Pensacola have seen more snow this winter than cities…

During one of the country’s biggest pork conferences, a number of new products were revealed, from new production equipment to a new alert system for pork farmers, at the Iowa Pork Congress Jan. 22-23 in Des Moines. These are a few products that you’ll want to consider for your operation. Agri-Alert Alarm System Grain and protein technologies company Automated Production (AP) unveiled an update to its Agri-Alert Alarm Systems.  The new system has the capability of using a cellular network or already-existing farm wifi network to monitor up to eight locations in a barn — all that can be monitored…

by Cami Koons Poultry producers who have previously had flocks infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza would have to pass a biosecurity audit to be eligible for future indemnity payments under a new rule from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service amended the conditions to ensure commercial poultry producers are making necessary biosecurity changes to minimize reinfection.  According to the rule, the current outbreak, starting in 2022, has cost $1.25 billion in indemnity and compensation payments to producers. A total of $227 million of those payments have gone to facilities that have had multiple…

On Jan. 24, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit upheld a verdict that AGCO did not infringe on John Deere U.S. patents 8,813,663 and 9,699,955, both for high-speed planting systems.  Deere alleged that Precision Planting’s SpeedTube and vSet2 products were similar to their ExactEmerge technology and therefore in violation of patent infringement. Precision Planting is a subsidiary of AGCO and part of PTx, AGCO’s precision technology company. However, the district court jury upheld an earlier ruling stating that no infringement was present.  “This means farmers will have an option when it comes to high speed planters,” said…