The amount of corn necessary to make a gallon of ethanol is less than previously believed according to a new U.S. Department of Agriculture report. In this month’s World Agricultural Supply and Demand Report (WASDE), corn use for ethanol production was projected 50 million bushels lower based on the new Grain Crushings and Co-Products Production report recently released by the … Read More
USDA Helping Farmers Prepare for Climate Change
Many in the agricultural community may not be aware that USDA has an office which is charged with helping farmers prepare for climate change. Climate Change Program Office director Bill Hohenstein (pictured left) talked some of their work during the Bayer CropScience Ag Issues Forum last week in Phoenix. “We’re concerned about climate change,” he said during an interview with … Read More
CTIC Talks Soil Health at #Classic15
Good crops start from healthy soils, so it only makes sense that the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC), a national, public-private partnership that promotes environmentally beneficial soil practices, was a part of this year’s Commodity Classic in Phoenix, Arizona. Cindy caught up with Karen Scanlon, CTIC executive director, who said her organization is celebrating 2015 as the International Year of … Read More
Vilsack Announces Base Acres Extension at #Classic15
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack spoke to over 7000 agricultural producers and industry members during his 6th appearance at Commodity Classic on Friday. Sec. Vilsack began by stating that he “was in the presence of greatness” and went on to thank farmers for all that they do on a daily basis. He also thanked farmers for their work on the … Read More
Public Comments Open on USDA Conservation Easements
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has opened up the public comment period for proposed rules designed to help producers protect working agricultural lands and wetlands. This agency news release says USDA is now accepting comments on its interim final rule for the new Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), a consolidation of three previous conservation easement programs into one to make … Read More
Productivity, Environment Focus of International Conference
There’s a lot of different ideas on how agriculture can be done sustainably. That’s why our friends at Farm Foundation are teaming up with Global Harvest Initiative (GHI) and USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) to hold an international conference on productivity and the environment, March 11-12, 2015, in Washington, D.C. It has long been recognized that technology-based tools that help … Read More
USDA Announces $37 Mil to Reduce Wildfire Threats
The Natural Resources Conservation Service and Forest Service are partnering to reduce wildfire threats. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced nearly $37 million in investments designed to improve the health and resiliency of forest ecosystems where public and private lands meet. Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Robert Bonnie unveiled the 15 Chiefs’ Joint Landscape Restoration Partnership projects … Read More
USDA Finds More Than One Way to Skin a Tomato
To turn a phrase, there might be more than one way to skin a tomato. Scientists with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have found that infrared heating can simplify the removal of the tomatoes’ tight-fitting peels, better than other peeling technologies. The researchers have demonstrated, for example, that infrared-based peeling is mostly waterless. That’s a benefit for canneries in … Read More
USDA Studies Phosphorus Loss Through Tiles
New information from the U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) shows that while surface runoff is a big contributor to phosphorus in watersheds, there is a significant amount coming from tiles. This article from the USDA says scientists in two studies for the agency found the runoff from farm fields into the Lake Erie Basin is a major contributor to algal … Read More
USDA Finds Cover Crops Can be Grazed
A new study shows that allowing cattle to graze on cover crops does no damage to the soil. This article from the U.S. Department of Agriculture says the Agricultural Research Service study could encourage more producers to put down the crops that help reduce soil erosion, boost organic matter, keep more moisture in soil and sequester carbon in the soil. … Read More