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Virginia Corn Growers Face Spreading Tar Spot Disease, Urged to Increase Vigilance

Virginia Corn Growers Face Spreading Tar Spot Disease, Urged to Increase Vigilance

Corn growers in Virginia are being advised to remain vigilant against tar spot, an emerging fungal disease caused by Phyllachora maydis. First detected in the U.S. in 2015, the disease was confirmed in Virginia in 2022 and has since spread to Augusta, Culpeper, Rockingham, and Shenandoah counties, with photographic evidence also in Page and Madison counties. Tar spot manifests as raised black spots on corn leaves and can be spread through spores and storms. Rosemary Life, Rockingham County agriculture and natural resources Extension agent, noted that traditional disease protection methods, such as crop rotation and fungicide application, may not be fully effective against tar spot due to its airborne spread. Early detection is crucial for control, and growers are encouraged to regularly scout their fields and consider planting corn hybrids with lower susceptibility to the disease. Ideal conditions for the disease include moderate temperatures, high humidity, extended overnight leaf wetness, and frequent fo...

Canadian Farm Groups Advocate for National Plant Breeding Strategy

Canadian Farm Groups Advocate for National Plant Breeding Strategy

Agricultural organizations across Canada are calling for the establishment of a national plant breeding strategy to ensure predictable funding and advance crop development. Grain Farmers of Ontario, along with several other producer and industry groups, have released a joint vision titled 'A National Plant Breeding Strategy Must Work for Every Crop.' This initiative seeks to address the diverse needs of various crops, regions, and farmers. The groups emphasize that plant breeding is crucial for Canadian agriculture, as new crop varieties can take over a decade to develop from research to commercial production. These breeding programs are vital for creating varieties with improved pest and disease resistance, greater tolerance to changing weather conditions, enhanced productivity and quality, and the ability to meet evolving market demands. Public investment is deemed particularly important for crops where private investment may be limited due to market size or royalty returns, such as oats, food-grade soyb...

Agricultural Leaders Emphasize Technology and Soil Health for Future Farming Resilience

Agricultural Leaders Emphasize Technology and Soil Health for Future Farming Resilience

Agricultural leaders are increasingly focusing on integrating technology, sound agronomic practices, and strong leadership to navigate the evolving challenges in farming. Edgar Gutierrez, an agricultural leadership shaper, highlights the importance of balancing productivity with precision, especially given changing weather patterns, labor needs, and resource costs. Modern farming is adopting new technologies like on-site weather stations, soil moisture sensors, precision irrigation systems, dendrometers, and sap flow meters to make more informed decisions. There is also a growing emphasis on long-term soil health, including improving soil structure, increasing organic matter, and enhancing water-holding capacity to create more resilient farming systems. The industry is experiencing a significant transformation, with artificial intelligence, automation, biotechnology, precision agriculture, and data analytics changing crop cultivation and farm management.

USDA-Funded Program Explores Agritourism for Farm Diversification

USDA-Funded Program Explores Agritourism for Farm Diversification

USDA-Funded Program Explores Agritourism for Farm Diversification

Canadian Farm Groups Advocate for National Plant Breeding Strategy to Secure Agricultural Future

Canadian Farm Groups Advocate for National Plant Breeding Strategy to Secure Agricultural Future

Canadian agricultural organizations, including Grain Farmers of Ontario and several producer and industry groups, are urging the government to establish a national plant breeding strategy. They are seeking predictable, multi-year federal funding to maintain breeding capacity and advance crop development across Canada. The groups have released a joint vision titled 'A National Plant Breeding Strategy Must Work for Every Crop,' which has garnered support from various regional and crop-specific organizations. Plant breeding is considered fundamental to Canadian agriculture, as new crop varieties can take over a decade to develop from research to commercial production. These breeding programs are crucial for developing varieties with improved resistance to pests and diseases, greater tolerance to changing weather conditions, enhanced productivity and quality, and the ability to meet evolving market demands. The organizations emphasize the importance of public investment, particularly for crops with limited mar...

Young Wisconsin Farmer Emphasizes Importance of Voting for Agriculture's Future

Young Wisconsin Farmer Emphasizes Importance of Voting for Agriculture's Future

Brooke Beardsley, a 21-year-old UW-River Falls Collegiate Farm Bureau President and fifth-generation farmer, has penned an op-ed highlighting the critical role of voting in shaping the future of agriculture in Wisconsin. Beardsley expresses concerns about the viability of continuing family farms, citing challenges such as land access, affordability, and healthcare. She notes that the U.S. is losing nearly 15,000 farms annually, prompting her to advocate for policies that support the next generation of farmers. Key issues she identifies include the rapid growth of data centers and large-scale transmission projects in Wisconsin, which create tensions over land use and the preservation of productive farmland. Beardsley stresses the need for policymakers who understand these complexities, as prime agricultural soil, once developed, cannot be replaced. Additionally, she points out the often-overlooked issue of healthcare and affordable insurance for farm families, whose variable incomes make finding suitable co...

New Yam Planting Technology Aims to Revolutionize Farming and Boost Food Security

New Yam Planting Technology Aims to Revolutionize Farming and Boost Food Security

A new yam propagation technology, known as single-node vine-cutting, is poised to significantly increase planting material availability and enhance food security. Charles Webster, a plant protection officer in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, introduced this innovation during the 20th Caribbean Week of Agriculture conference. The technology allows for the multiplication of planting material up to 300-fold from a single plant by utilizing leaf nodes, which are typically discarded. This method contrasts with traditional systems that use the yam tuber and head for planting, thereby limiting the amount available for consumption. The single-node vine-cutting technique is particularly beneficial for sweet yam, which has faced challenges due to disease and a shortage of quality planting material. Researchers have successfully produced grade one tubers using this technology, although further research and field demonstrations are necessary to fully implement it across various yam varieties.

Denmark Strengthens Livestock Cooperation with Vietnam, Focusing on Modernization and Sustainability

Denmark Strengthens Livestock Cooperation with Vietnam, Focusing on Modernization and Sustainability

Danish agribusinesses are enhancing their cooperation with Vietnam's livestock sector, aiming to support the country's transition to modern and sustainable farming practices. This initiative was highlighted at a workshop in Ho Chi Minh City titled 'Smart Production, Sustainable Future: Danish Agricultural and Food Technology for Vietnam,' where eight Danish companies engaged with nearly 100 Vietnamese delegates. Vietnam's livestock industry faces increasing pressure to improve productivity, animal welfare, and sustainability amidst rapid urbanization and restructuring. Key priorities for Vietnam include biosafety, disease prevention, product quality control, and environmental protection. Danish firms showcased integrated feed systems, precision feeding, and data-driven management tools designed to improve feed efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance animal welfare for pig and dairy producers. Biological innovations, cold chain technology, and clean energy sources were also presented to strengthen Vietnam’s l...

Welcome back, pandas! When can you see new arrivals at Zoo Atlanta?

Welcome back, pandas! When can you see new arrivals at Zoo Atlanta?

Two pandas, Ping Ping and Fu Shuang, arrived in Atlanta on Sept. 27 and will be the newest members of Zoo Atlanta. When can locals pay them a visit?

University of Maryland's Terp Farm Advocates Fall Planting for Food Security Amid Recalls and Rising Costs

University of Maryland's Terp Farm Advocates Fall Planting for Food Security Amid Recalls and Rising Costs

Amidst a summer marked by food recalls and increasing grocery costs, Guy Kilpatric, farm manager at the University of Maryland's Terp Farm, is encouraging individuals to engage in fall planting. Terp Farm, which supplies vegetables to student cafeterias and the campus food bank, is currently planting cold-adapted crops such as broccoli, collard greens, beets, radishes, and Swiss chard. These crops are designed to be harvested throughout the remainder of the semester. Kilpatric highlights Swiss chard as a particularly nutritious and easy-to-grow leafy green that tolerates cool weather and can provide harvests for months. Additionally, he emphasizes garlic as one of the easiest crops to grow, with the ideal planting time being now for a harvest by next summer. The initiative aims to empower individuals to take more control over their food supply and enjoy the benefits of home gardening.

USDA Designates Wyoming County as Primary Natural Disaster Area Due to Drought, Enabling Emergency Loans for Farmers

USDA Designates Wyoming County as Primary Natural Disaster Area Due to Drought, Enabling Emergency Loans for Farmers

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Sheridan County, Wyoming, as a primary natural disaster area. This designation is a direct response to severe drought conditions that have impacted the region. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, the affected counties experienced either D2 Drought-Severe conditions for eight or more consecutive weeks or D3 Drought-Extreme or D4 Drought-Exceptional levels during the growing season. This declaration allows the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) to provide emergency credit to agricultural producers in Sheridan County and contiguous counties, including Big Horn, Campbell, and Johnson in Wyoming, as well as Big Horn and Powder River in Montana. The emergency loans are designed to help farmers recover from losses, replace essential items like equipment or livestock, reorganize farming operations, or refinance certain debts. The application deadline for these emergency loans is May 17, 2027.

Tractor Supply Company Expands Support for Over 1,000 U.S. State and County Fairs

Tractor Supply Company Expands Support for Over 1,000 U.S. State and County Fairs

Tractor Supply Company Expands Support for Over 1,000 U.S. State and County Fairs