Author: staff

In the 1920s, two farm boys in northern Italy experimenting with high-compression engines explored the possibility of employing this new technology on a tractor. From their investigations, Francesco and Eugenio Cassani went on in 1927 to manufacture one of the earliest diesel tractors in the world — the 40-hp. Cassani 40CV. Spurred on by that tractor’s success, the brothers continued to experiment with high-speed diesel engines and fuel-injection systems for marine and aviation use. An accomplished engineer, Francesco earned numerous patents on many of his innovations. The Cassanis realized the impact diesels could have on their country. Acting on their…

DAILY Bites President Trump announced a 10% tariff on China-based imports starting February 1, alongside 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico. U.S. agricultural exports to China reached a record $36.4 billion in FY 2022, but tariffs risk disrupting key trade relationships and triggering retaliation. Domestic economic impacts include a potential $78 billion reduction in consumer spending and heightened risks for U.S. businesses operating in China. DAILY Discussion President Donald Trump announced plans to implement a 10 percent tariff on China-based imports starting February 1, as revealed during a White House press briefing Tuesday night. The announcement followed promises…

DeLaval has launched a new series of milking automation control systems designed to meet the evolving needs of dairy farmers milking in parlor systems. These systems are built to deliver connectivity, flexibility and performance, DeLaval Milking Automation can help producers optimize their operations with features such as real-time data insights, scalable functionality and cloud connectivity. Once the milking clusters are manually attached, Milking Automation takes charge, automating the process and enabling precision milking — from flow-adjusted stimulation to measuring milk yield and automatically detaching the clusters when milking is finished. “Milking Automation represents a significant step forward for dairy farmers…

If the yard looks like it’s developing craters, there are a few reasons why this happens — buried construction debris, rotted tree stumps, or dirt settling around the septic system. Sometimes a large boulder used to be in the spot, and even though it’s gone now, the depression remains.  1. Don’t Dig Before you start digging, Dial 811. A nationwide system is in place to help learn more about how to safely dig in your state. A quick call the local utilities to identify buried lines or request online and work directly with agents in your area. After you’ve had…

From new companies and long-time leaders, the fertilizer industry is developing lower-carbon options. The impact of those products may hinge on return on investment (ROI) at the farmgate, and inclusion in government programs. Ideas Taking Flight Last spring, the U.S. Treasury Department released guidance for the 40B Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Tax Credit, which included the creation of the USDA Climate Smart Agriculture Pilot Program. The program enabled corn farmers practicing no-till, growing cover crops, and using enhanced efficiency nitrogen fertilizer (EENF) to boast a lower carbon intensity (CI) score for their corn.  The agriculture and biofuel industries largely saw…

At the World Economic Forum taking place today in Switzerland, Syngenta Group CEO Jeff Rowe presented what he sees as five key trends in artificial intelligence that will define agriculture in 2025. During a panel discussion at Bloomberg House on the topic From Soil to Silicon: How Advanced Technologies are Cultivating the Future of Sustainable Ag, he outlined how 2025 will mark the first year AI truly revolutionizes agriculture — from lab to field. “AI and digital tools are revolutionizing farming and sustainable practices,” he explaind. “Advanced monitoring systems integrate satellite imagery, drones, and soil maps to enable precise crop…

Bloomberg’s Josh Wingrove and Hadriana Lowenkron reported Tuesday that “President Donald Trump widened his tariff threats to include China and the European Union on his second day back in office after day one saw Canada and Mexico in his sights.” “‘We’re talking about a tariff of 10% on China, based on the fact that they’re sending fentanyl to Mexico and Canada,’ Trump said during an event at the White House on Tuesday, specifying Feb. 1 as a possible date,” Wingrove and Lowenkron reported. “‘Other countries are big abusers also, you know it’s not just China,’ Trump said. ‘We have a…

Shortly after the 8:30 a.m. CT open, March corn was up 1¾¢. March soybeans were up 2¢. March wheat contracts were also higher. CBOT wheat was up 7½¢. KC wheat was up 9½¢. Minneapolis wheat was up 5¾¢. Naomi Blohm, senior market advisor at Total Farm Marketing, said funds are buying soybeans on the “lack of immediate trade war” under the new presidential administration and warm weather in Argentina. She said they are also buying wheat “because it is cheap and now maybe the market is starting to trade the reality of tight global wheat ending stocks.” Earlier this morning,…

The Certified Naturally Grown label could be more accessible for farmers, but can it actually land with consumers? PRAIRIE DU ROCHER, Ill. — On a cold winter day in Illinois, three little pigs are resting in a three-sided shed. They have plenty of space to trot around, as they do when Jennifer Duensing approaches. Those footsteps mean it’s feeding time. They squeal impatiently, waiting for their usual diet of organic feed, which sometimes includes vegetables like squash grown here on the farm. The farm, Illinois Country Harvest, had been in Duensing’s family for generations when she took it over in…

You may be able to get more bang for your buck than you bargained for with your sheep. When sheep are sheared every spring, wool has to go somewhere – you might as well try to sell it. There are plenty of wool crafters and fiber manufacturers looking for good-quality fleece. Spin a profit from wool production by following these five tips for selling wool. Clean It Up USDA The best wool is clean wool. You want to keep as much vegetable matter like hay, straw, and grass out of the fibers as possible. Trim off any fleece that’s stained…