Explore

Corteva Agriscience Advises Against Cutting Crop Protection Costs in 2027 Amid Rising Pest and Disease Pressures

Corteva Agriscience Advises Against Cutting Crop Protection Costs in 2027 Amid Rising Pest and Disease Pressures

Corteva Agriscience Advises Against Cutting Crop Protection Costs in 2027 Amid Rising Pest and Disease Pressures

Ethical Review Questions Justification of Electric Shock Devices on U.S. Farms

Ethical Review Questions Justification of Electric Shock Devices on U.S. Farms

A welfare and ethics review has concluded that most electric shock devices used on U.S. farms are difficult to justify due to the pain they inflict on animals. The review examined various devices, including electric fencing, cow trainers, electric prods, electrified barn wires, electrified milking gates, robotic milkers with 'ticklers,' and virtual fencing collars. The authors argue that deliberately hurting animals requires strong justification, specifically that the device must provide clear welfare benefits that cannot be achieved by other practical means. Based on this criterion, cow trainers, electric prods, and electrified barn wires and milking gates are deemed unlikely to be justifiable. Electric fencing may be justifiable in some situations with careful management, while robotic milker ticklers and virtual fencing collars require further welfare assessment.

EU Agricultural Output Reaches Record €558.7 Billion in 2025, Driven by Animal Product Growth

EU Agricultural Output Reaches Record €558.7 Billion in 2025, Driven by Animal Product Growth

EU Agricultural Output Reaches Record €558.7 Billion in 2025, Driven by Animal Product Growth

Domini Impact Investments Highlights Slow Pace of Regenerative Agriculture Adoption in Food Systems

Domini Impact Investments Highlights Slow Pace of Regenerative Agriculture Adoption in Food Systems

Domini Impact Investments Highlights Slow Pace of Regenerative Agriculture Adoption in Food Systems

Thy Neighbors Farm Expands Regenerative Agriculture and Community Service with UConn Extension Support

Thy Neighbors Farm Expands Regenerative Agriculture and Community Service with UConn Extension Support

Steven Thompson, owner of Thy Neighbors Farm in Torrington, Connecticut, has significantly expanded his veteran-owned farming operation with extensive support from UConn Extension. What began as a backyard garden to address food insecurity during the pandemic has evolved into a diversified regenerative farm spanning 1.5 acres of vegetable production and a flock of approximately 120 Katahdin breeding ewes. The farm utilizes no-till practices, hydroponics, and solar grazing, a partnership with renewable energy installations. Thompson has participated in numerous UConn Extension programs, including the Climate Smart Adaptation Strategies Certificate Course, the Solid Ground Tool and Equipment Stipend funded by USDA pandemic assistance, and the Farm to School Ready to Sell Cohort. These programs have enabled him to acquire specialized equipment, implement innovative farming techniques, and establish farm-to-school deliveries of hydroponically grown lettuce. Community service remains central to the farm's missi...

Eruvaka Technologies Highlights Predictability as Next Competitive Advantage in Shrimp Farming

Eruvaka Technologies Highlights Predictability as Next Competitive Advantage in Shrimp Farming

Eruvaka Technologies Highlights Predictability as Next Competitive Advantage in Shrimp Farming

Craig Litwin Launches Farming Club Coalition to Promote Community-Based Agriculture

Craig Litwin Launches Farming Club Coalition to Promote Community-Based Agriculture

Craig Litwin Launches Farming Club Coalition to Promote Community-Based Agriculture

Bezos Earth Fund Partners with Yield Lab Institute to Advance Global Cattle Innovation Program

Bezos Earth Fund Partners with Yield Lab Institute to Advance Global Cattle Innovation Program

Bezos Earth Fund Partners with Yield Lab Institute to Advance Global Cattle Innovation Program

U.S. Turkey Industry Shows Recovery Amidst Disease Challenges and Economic Shifts

U.S. Turkey Industry Shows Recovery Amidst Disease Challenges and Economic Shifts

The U.S. turkey industry is experiencing a recovery, marked by an increase in turkeys raised and overall production. This marks the first time the industry has seen such growth since significant losses due to disease outbreaks previously reduced supplies. According to American Farm Bureau Economist Bernt Nelson, several factors are contributing to this positive trend, including stronger domestic consumption, a rise in exports, and reduced cold storage inventories, all of which have led to improved returns for turkey growers. Despite this recovery, disease continues to pose a significant challenge, impacting flock performance and necessitating stringent biosecurity measures. Additionally, growers are facing potential headwinds in 2027 due to higher feed costs and the expansion of turkey production, which could affect future profitability. The industry's rebound is a notable development after a period of contraction caused by health-related issues within flocks.

National Agricultural Statistics Service Provides Comprehensive U.S. Agricultural Data

National Agricultural Statistics Service Provides Comprehensive U.S. Agricultural Data

The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), the official statistical agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), provides objective and comprehensive statistics on American agricultural production, economics, and land stewardship. Operating within the USDA’s Research, Education, and Economics (REE) mission area, NASS serves as the federal authority for empirical farm data. Its holdings include recurring probability sample surveys and the quinquennial Census of Agriculture, which is conducted every five years for years ending in '2' and '7'. This census is the only uniform source of agricultural data for every U.S. county, and response is mandatory for any operator receiving a form under Title 7 of the United States Code (7 U.S.C. § 2204g). NASS also issues approximately 500 annual reports covering crops, livestock, economics & prices, and environmental data. All data is accessible via the NASS Quick Stats database and a REST API, with individual operational data protected under t...

Major Food Corporations Invest in Sustainable Farming to Meet Climate Commitments

Major Food Corporations Invest in Sustainable Farming to Meet Climate Commitments

Major Food Corporations Invest in Sustainable Farming to Meet Climate Commitments

Animal Manure Offers Economic and Environmental Benefits for U.S. Agriculture

Animal Manure Offers Economic and Environmental Benefits for U.S. Agriculture

U.S. agricultural practices are increasingly recognizing the economic and environmental advantages of using animal manure as a substitute for synthetic fertilizers. Manufacturing chemical fertilizers is an energy-intensive process heavily reliant on natural gas. By recycling livestock manure, farms can localize the nutrient loop, significantly reducing input costs and lowering the overall carbon footprint of agricultural production. Manure is not merely a waste byproduct; it is a valuable resource that enhances soil health by enriching its chemical nutrient profile, fortifying its physical structure against erosion, and boosting its biological microbiome. This approach helps address soil degradation, a critical challenge for agriculture facing the dual demands of feeding a growing population and combating environmental issues like nutrient runoff and climate change. Proper management of manure application is crucial to maximize its benefits and prevent environmental hazards.