Spring Planting Special Section

Farm sunset

The challenges climate change poses to agriculture

Climate change poses an array of challenges. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration notes that the impacts of climate change on various sectors of society are interrelated, a connection that mirrors the ripple effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The human health crisis that arose during the pandemic affected all aspects of life, as illnesses limited worker productivity, thus affecting the global supply chain, including the availability of food.

Young Farmer picking apples

How to get more young people involved in agriculture

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.

Planting

Common sustainable agriculture practices

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.

A container vessel traverses the Mississippi River near New Orleans. Water levels on the Mighty Mississippi recovered in recent weeks, which triggered the removal of draft restrictions. Photo by Daniel Grant

Mississippi River drought over, but situation still shaky

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.”

Technology on Farms

Understanding smart farm automation

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.

Commercial fruit and vegetable growers – Fall to spring cover crop update

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.

Tips for safer farming practices

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.