Author: staff

This Sunday, a little football game called the Super Bowl will be played for the 59th time. If it weren’t for farmers and ranchers, millions of people would have to find another way to spend their Sunday evening. How does agriculture impact Super Bowl LIX, which will crown either the Kansas City Chiefs or the Philadelphia Eagles? Money changes hands, whether in the purchase of game tickets (average price $9,720), food, or the loss of a bet. Did you know 75% of that dollar bill you just used to tip the pizza delivery guy is made of cotton? According to…

On Feb. 9, the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles will play in the 59th edition of the National Football League’s (NFL) Super Bowl in New Orleans. Across the country and beyond, people will have watch parties filled with food and friends.  Normally one of the biggest food consumption days of the year, it’s no surprise that food prices and food expenditure are part of the story every Super Bowl weekend. In 2024, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, American consumers spent around $17.3 billion on Super Bowl weekend — and 80% of that expenditure went toward food and…

These hacks and tips will help control grease and oil in your shop and when you’re working on your equipment. These ideas are shared from farmers in Successful Farming’s All Around the Farm. 1. Less-Mess Oil Changes When I drain the oil from my tractors, I put a 5-gallon bucket in a small plastic kiddie pool and place it under the oil pan. If any oil spills or splatters, the pool prevents the mess from getting onto the shop floor. -Mark Schnell, New Lothrop, Michigan 2. Oil Caddy To build a useful oil caddy for the shop, I removed the…

Slow cookers are the heroes of busy days. Pop the ingredients for these hot sandwiches in, and go about your day. If your family is eating at home, the sandwiches will be ready to assemble when you are. Take them to the field by putting the hot meat mixtures in an insulated container and pack the bread and cheese separately. Don’t forget to use a slow-cooker liner to make clean-up super easy and fast. Slow-Cooker French Dip 4 pounds boneless beef round rump roast or boneless beef chuck pot roast1 12 ounce can or bottle beer1 10.5 ounce can condensed…

After a colder-than-expected January, milder weather is expected for much of the country as February continues, weather experts say.  This comes after the annual tradition of Groundhog Day on Sunday, Feb. 2 when Puxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, predicting an additional six weeks of winter for the 2024-2025 winter season.  Paul Pastelok, the lead long-range forecaster at AccuWeather, said that a long winter isn’t expected for some regions of the United States. In fact, he said “the transition to springlike weather and warmer air is happening earlier than the historical average from the southern Plains to the Gulf Coast.” While…

4-H members looking for a creative way to express themselves can now do so through pottery painting, thanks to the new 4-H Collection available at My Pottery Place studios starting in March 2025. This collection features a variety of pottery pieces designed to celebrate the values and traditions of 4-H, offering participants an engaging way to showcase their artistic talents while supporting the organization. Bisque has curated a 4-H Collection of pottery pieces that will be sold in Paint Your Own Pottery Studios across the country. The 4-H Collection includes pieces such as mugs, plates, and decorative items adorned with 4-H…

Minimal snowfall this winter has nearly 60% of South Dakota in a D1 moderate drought, while the remainder of the state’s drought conditions are D2 severe or greater, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor data. U.S. Drought Monitor Faulkton, South Dakota Although drought conditions continue to impact the state, Troy Hadrick, a fifth generation cow/calf producer in Faulkton, South Dakota, said he doesn’t complain much about drought in the winter months. A dry winter helps stretch feed supplies on his operation, Hadrick said. When it comes to feed supplies, Hadrick said he had two good cuttings of hay last…

On Thursday, U.S. Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) introduced the Dairy Business Innovation Act of 2025, bipartisan legislation that they say would strengthen the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives to help more American dairy farmers and processors add value to their businesses. This includes creating new products, expanding markets, and modernizing production facilities. To date, the Baldwin-backed program has supported over 250 dairy farmers and processors in the Midwest, including 109 in Wisconsin. “My Dairy Business Innovation Initiative has helped Wisconsin dairy farmers, producers, and cheesemakers grow their operations, tap into new markets, and innovate new products,” said…

For students who are looking to pursue a highly specialized course of study — or those who simply don’t want to pursue a long-term degree path — agriculture graduate certificates are a important option to consider. Many universities offer online graduate certificate programs in agriculture, which may be the perfect fit for someone eager to enter into the ag industry or build upon their current knowledge base. A graduate certificate can be awarded in as little as two semesters and is more affordable than a traditional degree. Certificates often teach highly specific skills or hone topics within larger fields —…

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services is once again hosting the “I Protect Pigs” photo contest, inviting pig owners and farm enthusiasts to showcase their commitment to biosecurity practices. The contest aims to promote the importance of safeguarding against African swine fever, a devastating disease for pigs, by highlighting the proactive measures that can prevent its spread. ASF is a highly contagious disease that threatens the health and wellbeing of pigs, and prevention is the only cure. By participating in this photo contest, individuals can demonstrate their best biosecurity practices and encourage others to adopt…