Author: staff

On Thursday, Sept. 26, Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida as a devastating Category 4 hurricane before making its way through Georgia in the early hours of the morning on Sept. 27 and downgrading to a tropical storm affecting South Carolina, North Carolina, Kentucky, and Tennessee — with deep, disastrous impacts across agricultural sectors. In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, communities across the Southeast, from Florida to Georgia, through the Carolinas to Virginia and Tennessee, are picking up the pieces. The devastation in rural and farm communities has been widespread, and it will be weeks — possibly months — before…

Dairy farmers have a new tool that will help them enhance efficiency and sustainability while accommodating changing regulations that affect their operations. Launched today and available for customer registration, the Milk Sustainability Center from John Deere and DeLaval is an innovative digital ecosystem that integrates agronomic and animal performance into one unified platform. Dairy farmers can use the Milk Sustainability Center to monitor nutrient use efficiency (NUE) and carbon dioxide equivalent across their farm, herd, and fields. The center collects animal and agronomic data, providing insights to help farmers manage nutrient utilization effectively and reduce the need for manual data…

On October 1, 2024, dockworkers from the East and Gulf Coasts began their first large-scale strike since 1977 following the breakdown of labor talks between the International Longshoremen’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance. The ILA, representing around 45,000 workers, called for the strike after negotiations failed to resolve issues concerning wages and job protections related to automation. “We are prepared to fight as long as necessary, to stay out on strike for whatever period of time it takes, to get the wages and protections against automation our ILA members deserve,” said Harold Dagget, leader of the ILA, signaling…

Arthur Schubarth, an 81-year-old rancher from Vaughn, Montana, was sentenced to six months in federal prison for orchestrating a nearly decade-long wildlife trafficking scheme. Schubarth illegally bred hybrid sheep using tissue from protected species to sell at premium prices to game preserves, primarily in Texas. His actions, which violated both federal law and international treaties, have drawn attention due to their potential harm to native wildlife populations. Schubarth’s scheme involved using tissue from the Marco Polo argali sheep, a species native to Central Asia, protected under the Endangered Species Act. These animals are banned in Montana to prevent disease and…

Land O’Lakes, the butter giant, stole the spotlight during Fall/Winter Fashion Week with its ‘Farmcore’ campaign, celebrating the importance of rural farmers in America. Through an innovative showcase in Paris, Wisconsin, the brand engaged consumers and highlighted the local impact of its farmer-owners. “We believe in shining a light on the incredible impact Land O’Lakes farmers make — they are at the heart of everything we do,” said Elizabeth Nelson, Director of Brand Marketing at Land O’Lakes. The event, produced in collaboration with the creative agency Battery, featured a “Farmcore-to-Table” runway, where models donned authentic Farmcore attire sourced from the…

Agricultural mechanics is a vital sector within the farming industry, focused on the repair, maintenance, and development of the machinery and equipment essential for modern agriculture. As farms grow more technologically advanced, the demand for skilled mechanics continues to rise. From tractors to irrigation systems, ag mechanics ensure that farmers can maximize efficiency, minimize downtime, and keep operations running smoothly. Here are the top 10 jobs in agricultural mechanics that are shaping the future of farming. 1. Farm Equipment Technician Farm equipment technicians are the backbone of ag mechanics. These professionals specialize in maintaining and repairing essential farm machinery such…

On July 31, farmers who had been discriminated against from U.S. Department of Agriculture loans prior to January 2021 received justice. More than 43,000 payments were made to farmers across the United States, including Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia, totaling $2 billion through the Inflation Reduction Act’s Financial Assistance Programs. The forms of discrimination being addressed in the application for reparation included race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and religion. Black farmers were also included in these reparations. “Given the severe discrimination Black farmers have faced — as made evident by the nearly $326 billion dollars…

Smithfield Foods, in partnership with the Oklahoma Pork Council, capped off Hunger Action Month by donating 33,000 pounds of pork to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. The donation will provide an estimated 132,000 servings of protein to families in need throughout 53 counties across central and western Oklahoma. Cathy Vaughan, safety manager at Smithfield and board member of the Oklahoma Pork Council, highlighted the importance of their community contributions. “We take the honor of feeding our neighbors very seriously,” she said. “With hog production operations in Laverne, Oklahoma, we continually look for ways to give back locally, and it’s…

U.S. Sens. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and John Boozman (R-Ark.), Co-Chairs of the Senate 4-H Caucus, recently celebrated the adoption of their resolution designating October 7 through October 12 as National 4-H Week. This annual celebration highlights the vital role 4-H plays in youth development across the country. Boozman, a longtime supporter of 4-H, emphasized the personal impact the organization had on his family, noting that all three of his daughters were active participants and state record book winners. He stated, “4-H has been a positive influence on generations of young people, which is why I am proud to join Chairwoman…

As the holiday season approaches, 4-H will continue its partnership with Tractor Supply Company, with several key initiatives lined up for the end of 2024. Starting October 7 (which is the kickoff of National 4-H Wee), limited-edition collectible 4-H holiday ornaments will be available in Tractor Supply stores nationwide. All proceeds from the ornament sales will directly benefit 4-H, supporting its programs and youth development efforts across the country. The limited-edition 4-H holiday ornaments for 2024 will feature three charming designs: a Highlander, a Yorkshire pig, and a goat. Each of these adorable animals is dressed for the season with…