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USDA Launches National Proving Grounds Network to Boost Farm Profitability

USDA Launches National Proving Grounds Network to Boost Farm Profitability

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the creation of the USDA National Proving Grounds Network for AgTech (NPG-Ag), aimed at enhancing farm and ranch profitability through rigorous evaluation of agricultural technologies. This initiative, led by USDA's Research, Education, and Economics Under Secretary Dr. Scott Hutchins, seeks to validate new and emerging technologies under real-world farming conditions. The network will provide farmers with reliable performance data to make informed technology investment decisions, focusing on digital and AI-driven innovations. The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) will spearhead the initiative, collaborating with land-grant universities and Grand Farm, an AgTech ecosystem in North Dakota. The NPG-Ag is expected to accelerate the adoption of technologies that improve efficiency, reduce costs, and strengthen the resilience of American agriculture.
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Cal-Maine Foods Diversifies Amid Plunging Egg Prices

Cal-Maine Foods Diversifies Amid Plunging Egg Prices

Cal-Maine Foods Diversifies Amid Plunging Egg Prices
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USDA Survey Reveals 79% of U.S. Rented Farmland Owned by Non-Farmers

USDA Survey Reveals 79% of U.S. Rented Farmland Owned by Non-Farmers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service has released findings from the 2024 Tenure, Ownership, and Transition of Agricultural Land (TOTAL) survey, indicating a significant shift in farmland ownership in the United States. The survey reveals that 79% of rented farmland is owned by non-operating landlords, who do not actively farm the land themselves. This group includes private individuals, trusts, family entities, and non-family organizations. The survey highlights that over 2.0 million landowners rent out approximately 348 million acres of farmland, with the land and associated buildings valued at over $1.6 trillion. In 2024, landlords generated $34.1 billion in rental income while incurring $12.0 billion in operating expenses. The survey also notes a potential transition in land ownership, with 43 million acres expected to change hands in the next five years, though market availability remains limited.
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NFL Draft 2026 preview: Seahawks safety options at every draft range

NFL Draft 2026 preview: Seahawks safety options at every draft range

Jalon Kilgore and AJ Haulcy have notably met with the Seahawks in top 30 visits.
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USDA Launches National Initiative to Evaluate Agricultural Technologies

USDA Launches National Initiative to Evaluate Agricultural Technologies

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the launch of the National Proving Grounds Network for AgTech (NPG-Ag), a new initiative aimed at evaluating agricultural technologies under real-world conditions. Spearheaded by the USDA's Agricultural Research Service, the initiative will focus on validating new and emerging technologies, particularly digital and AI-driven solutions, to ensure that farmers and ranchers have access to reliable performance data. The program will be managed by Grand Farm, an AgTech ecosystem based in North Dakota, in collaboration with land-grant universities across the country.
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Wayne-Sanderson Farms Promotes Executives to Strengthen Leadership

Wayne-Sanderson Farms Promotes Executives to Strengthen Leadership

Wayne-Sanderson Farms Promotes Executives to Strengthen Leadership
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US-Iran Conflict Disrupts Global Fertilizer Markets, Impacting Prices

US-Iran Conflict Disrupts Global Fertilizer Markets, Impacting Prices

The ongoing conflict between the US and Iran has significantly disrupted global fertilizer markets, leading to volatile prices and supply chain challenges. The conflict has removed substantial volumes of urea, sulfur, and related feedstock products from international markets, forcing buyers to seek alternative supplies at higher costs. The disruption around the Strait of Hormuz has been a central shock, affecting supply chains and leading to production curbs linked to gas constraints. The US-Israel war with Iran could also impact India's fertilizer supply, crucial for the upcoming kharif season. Despite government assurances, delayed shipments and reliance on Qatar for urea plant gas have prompted India to consider additional measures.
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Wayne-Sanderson Farms Promotes Executives to Drive Growth

Wayne-Sanderson Farms Promotes Executives to Drive Growth

Wayne-Sanderson Farms Promotes Executives to Drive Growth
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Senator Klobuchar Addresses Rising Fertilizer Costs with Minnesota Farmers

Senator Klobuchar Addresses Rising Fertilizer Costs with Minnesota Farmers

Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar met with farmers in Cannon Falls, Minnesota, to discuss the challenges they face due to rising fertilizer costs. The meeting focused on the impact of tariffs and increasing fuel prices, which have contributed to the uncertainty in the agricultural sector. Klobuchar has introduced bipartisan federal bills aimed at reducing fertilizer costs to alleviate the financial burden on farmers. The discussion highlighted the need for legislative action to support the agricultural community in Minnesota.
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Gato persa: cómo ha cambiado esta raza a lo largo del tiempo

Gato persa: cómo ha cambiado esta raza a lo largo del tiempo

The traditional Persian cat is one of the oldest and most recognized cat breeds in the world. Originating in Persia, now Iran, this cat has been...
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Mütter Museum Exhibit Highlights Revolutionary Botany's Role in American Pharmacy

Mütter Museum Exhibit Highlights Revolutionary Botany's Role in American Pharmacy

The Mütter Museum in Philadelphia is showcasing an exhibit titled 'Revolutionary Botany' as part of the United States' 250th anniversary celebrations. This exhibit explores the origins of American pharmacy, focusing on how early settlers and physicians utilized botanical gardens and medicinal plants for disease treatment. The College of Physicians of Philadelphia, founded in 1787, played a pivotal role in shaping American medicine by learning from Native Americans about plant species and their uses. The exhibit highlights the creation of the Pharmacopoeia in 1820, an encyclopedia of healing plants that became the first collection of recommended medicines. The exhibit also features a medical plant garden, reflecting historical plant groupings and their uses, such as garlic for heart support and sage for colds.
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Tops Friendly Markets Expands SNAP Benefits to Include DoorDash Delivery, Enhancing Food Access

Tops Friendly Markets Expands SNAP Benefits to Include DoorDash Delivery, Enhancing Food Access

Tops Friendly Markets has announced a new initiative allowing customers to use Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for grocery delivery through DoorDash. This development aims to facilitate easier access to affordable food for families without the need to visit a physical store. Tops, which operates 151 stores across New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont, joins a growing list of national and regional retailers offering this option, including ALDI, Dollar General, Safeway, Walgreens, Wegmans, and 7-Eleven. SNAP, the largest food assistance program in the U.S., supports approximately 40 million Americans by providing monthly benefits via electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards. These benefits can be used to purchase essential groceries at participating retailers both in-store and online. The new service allows SNAP recipients to shop for eligible grocery items from Tops locations directly on the DoorDash platform, enabling them to browse products, fill a virtual cart, and pay for qualifyi...