Author: staff

U.S. Department of Agriculture scientists have uncovered evidence that shows long-term no-till continuous cropping systems can reduce GHG emissions while sustaining crop yields, compared to conventional till crop-fallow systems common in America’s semi-arid regions. As the demand for agricultural production increases, it is becoming more important to mitigate GHG emissions from croplands. Certain cropping systems, management practices, and use of nitrogen-based fertilizers add to the total emissions of N2O (nitrous oxide) and CH4 (methane) that contribute to the approximate 10 percent of the total GHG emissions coming from the agricultural sector. Implementing innovative agricultural strategies that can maintain or increase…

My morning routine includes sitting on the porch — hair hopelessly tangled, caffeine in-hand — scrolling through recent findings in science. Call it a desperate attempt to jumpstart my brain early in the day. It usually takes a little while for my neurons to fire up. But, a couple of weeks ago, when I read that red meat consumption is associated with type 2 diabetes, based on an analysis of 1.97 million people? I sat up, bolt-straight. You see, it’s not just that I’m an avid meat-eater — I’m also a scientist … and that’s one hell of a clinical…

The U.S. Dairy Export Council and National Milk Producers Federation have expressed strong disappointment following Colombia’s preliminary ruling to impose tariffs on U.S. dairy products. The ruling claims U.S. milk powder exports were unfairly subsidized, a charge both organizations reject as baseless. USDEC and NMPF are calling on U.S. trade officials to take swift action to challenge Colombia’s decision and protect American dairy farmers and exporters. Colombia’s government has proposed an additional 4.86 percent tariff on U.S. milk powder exports. USDEC and NMPF, along with their allies in Colombia, have worked to prove that U.S. milk powder exports are not…

The Colvin Scholarship Fund, dedicated to fostering the next generation of leaders in agriculture, achieved a milestone in 2024 by awarding a record-breaking $100,000 in scholarships to 26 students. With increased scholarships presented, more students than ever are being empowered to pursue careers that advance the beef industry. Scholarship recipients are each actively pursuing a career in production agriculture, industry research or other agricultural endeavors. With their aspirations for success in the beef business, they are continuing the legacy of Certified Angus Beef’s co-founder and long-time executive director, Louis “Mick” Colvin. Since its inception 25 years ago, the Colvin Scholarship…

The labor group known as the National Council of Agricultural Employers said it has joined others in filing a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky to challenge the U.S. Department of Labor’s final rule titled, Improving Protections for Workers in Temporary Agricultural Employment in the United States. The rule is intended to target vulnerability and abuses experienced by workers under the H-2A program that undermine fair labor standards for all farmworkers in the U.S. The NCAE, which said other associations and individual farmers have signed onto the suit, argues that the rule is unlawful…

Merck Animal Health recently awarded $90,000 in scholarships to nine aspiring bovine veterinarians in collaboration with the American Association of Bovine Practitioners Foundation. The recipients of the Merck Animal Health Bovine Veterinary Student Recognition Award were selected based on their academic performance, career aspirations, work experience, and passion for veterinary medicine. Each student received a $10,000 scholarship during the 2024 AABP Annual Conference, held in Columbus, Ohio, from September 12-14. 2024 recipients of the Merck Animal Health Bovine Veterinary Student Recognition scholarships awarded by Merck Animal Health and the American Association of Bovine Practitioners Foundation (Image courtesy of Merck) The…

From now until Sept. 26, farmers across North America can enter their unique farm equipment in the SuperTractors competition, a virtual event that aims to encourage farmers to showcase their impressive tractors. The event is put on by Shell Rotella and is now in its fourth year, with the timing coming just ahead of National Farmer’s Day on Oct. 12. The winning entry will get $250, a custom Shell Rotella-branded Carhartt jacket, and 10,000 MyMilesMatter points, which is Shell Rotella’s rewards program for going the distance with certain products. Farmers who want to enter can visit this site until 5…

FFA parade floats are a staple of fall celebrations, showcasing the creativity and pride of local FFA chapters. During autumn, many communities host parades to celebrate harvest season, fairs, or homecoming events, and FFA members often take part by building themed floats that represent agriculture and rural life. These floats typically feature hay bales, tractors, livestock, and crops, while students proudly display their chapter’s name and the values of leadership, hard work, and community service. The fall atmosphere, with its crisp air and changing leaves, creates the perfect backdrop for FFA members to celebrate the farming heritage and the important…

The National Pork Industry Foundation is now accepting applications for the Neil Dierks Scholarship. This scholarship honors Neil Dierks, the National Pork Producers Council’s former longtime CEO, and his remarkable contributions to the industry. The $5,000 scholarship is awarded annually to a graduate student enrolled in a land-grant university pursuing a field of study that directly supports the pork industry. “We are honored to continue this scholarship in recognition of Neil’s exceptional legacy,” said Dwight Mogler, an Iowa pork producer and NPPC representative on the NPIF board. “Neil’s unwavering commitment to mentoring the next generation of pork industry leaders was…

Leaders from the Kansas Corn Growers Association and National Corn Growers are frustrated with a recommendation by the U.S. Department of Commerce to impose preliminary countervailing duty rates on imports of the herbicide 2,4-D. Kansas Corn leaders said input costs are high enough without government tariffs to push them even higher. KCGA President J.D. Hanna, Silver Lake, said the action would hurt farmers. KCGA is working with NCGA to resolve the issue. “In a perfect world, U.S. farmers wouldn’t have to rely on imported inputs like 2,4-D. But in reality, imported generic 2,4-D along with other herbicides are important to…