The agricultural industry will undergo exciting changes as it looks to overcome developing challenges in the decades ahead. Technology will continue to play a pivotal role in the agricultural sector, making agriculture an evolving and exciting career path for young professionals.
The concept of sustainability varies by industry. Within the agricultural industry, sustainability is a multifaceted concept that has become increasingly popular in recent decades.
According to the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, sustainable agriculture seeks to increase profitable farm income, promote environmental stewardship, enhance quality of life for farm families and communities, and increase production for human food and fiber needs. In an attempt to reach those goals, farmers who embrace sustainable agriculture may look to various practices.
The drought that plagued the Mississippi River basin since 2022 and resulted in ag shipment delays and higher transportation costs is officially over.
“I’m happy to report there are no draft restrictions on the Mississippi River for the third week and we do not have dredges operating for low water,” Brigadier General Kimberly Peeples, commanding general of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mississippi Valley Division, said last month. “The Dredges POTTER, HURLEY and JADWIN have completed dredging operations and are on a 72-hour response if needed.”
Modern agriculture looks little like the early days of farming. All aspects of farming have been modified by the access farmers now have to technologies to meet the demands of their work and the pressure a growing population places on farmers to produce quality food.
Fall Cover Crop Mixtures
With spring weather pushing growth, our cover crops are also taking off as well. I had some early fall planted spring oats, crimson clover, and rapeseed (25/6/2 lb/A, respectively) in a few areas including some planted after potato harvest last year. The oats winter killed as expected, however, the rapeseed and crimson clover have about 8-10 inches of growth now. This area is rotated with potatoes and cover crops; half the area was just plowed for planting with the cover remaining for the season on the other side. I will probably interseed some other cover crops as this mixture starts to peak for some extended cover over the season.
Tractor accidents, grain entrapment and injuries from ornery livestock are just some of the dangers agricultural workers face every day. In fact, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health says agriculture is one of the most hazardous industries in the United States.
In 2016, the agricultural industry had a rate of 21.4 deaths per 100,000 workers, and each day agricultural workers experienced 100 non-fatal, lost-work-time injuries.
The First Congregational Church of Beardstown, 119 W. Third Street, will hold Easter Sunday services at 11 a.m. Sunday, March 31. ****** The Clayton Christian Church 202 East Main, Clayton, will have Maundy Thursday Service at 7 p.m. on Thursday; Good Friday Service Friday at 7p.m. and Easter Service at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday.
The public is invited to enjoy worship, special music and spiritual revival with Evangelist Glenn Stevenson and family on March 17-22 at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 28334 Oakford Rd., Chandlerville. The event will be held 9:30 a.m. and at 6:00 p.m. Sunday and at 7 p.m. Monday-Friday.
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Beardstown Fall Fun Festival Committee will hold a Fish Fry Fundraiser beginning at 11 a.m. Friday, March 22 at the Beardstown VFW, 610 East 4th Street. The meal will be served until they run out. Menu includes fish, baked beans, potato salad, bread and butter. Dine-in, pick-up or delivery. To place orders, call 217-323-3271.
The public is invited to enjoy worship, special music, and spiritual revival with Evangelist Glenn Stevenson and family on March 17-22 at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 28334 Oakford Rd, Chandlerville. The event will be held 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and and 6 p.m. Sunday and at 7 p.m. Monday - Friday.
1.) Bacon and Cabbage
This dish consists of sliced back bacon boiled with cabbage and potatoes with some of the boiling juices added on top. The bacon is sometimes smoked instead of boiled and occasionally is served with a white sauce, which consists of flour, butter and milk, with an added flavoring of parsley or other herbs.
This dish is most traditionally associated with the working class of Ireland. Since most farmers grew their own vegetables and raised their own hogs, the ingredients were cheap and easy to come by.
2.) Barmbrack
Barmbrack is a bread made with fruit, raisins and spices. The most common fruit used is sultanas, which is a white or pale green seedless grape that is usually soaked in tea or whiskey overnight before being added to the bread.