For the past fifteen years, discussions around indirect land-use change (ILUC) have shaped how ethanol is judged in carbon markets. The idea originated from the belief that rising biofuel demand could lead to additional cropland being developed somewhere else in the world, cancelling out the environmental benefits of renewable fuel. While the concept sounds logical, … Read more
Farmers across the country are facing high input costs, and this pressure is especially noticeable during harvest season. As producers store grain or deliver it to elevators, they also evaluate the year’s performance and begin shaping their management plans for the next growing cycle. With crop prices under pressure and expenses rising, many are rethinking … Read more
In my first full year working in my new position at Iowa State University, one challenge has stood out above all others: waterhemp control is the No. 1 priority in soybean weed management. As the harvest season closes, this is the ideal moment to plan ahead for next year and decide how to effectively tackle … Read more
Every holiday season, my father used to stop by our small hometown tavern for his yearly bottle of brandy—not because he enjoyed drinking, but because he believed that every guest who visited our farm deserved a little Christmas cheer. One local farmer once teased him with, “Ya gettin’ a bottle, Rich-ud?”My father, always modest, replied, … Read more
As farmers prepare for the 2026 growing season, the focus is shifting strongly toward operational efficiency, cost-effective passes, and making the most of every field application. One opportunity gaining significant attention is the sidedress window — a stage traditionally used for nutrient delivery but now recognized as an ideal moment to pair fertilizer with a … Read more
Mississippi’s sweet potato industry is bracing for a challenging year as growers confront reduced yields, financial pressure, and unpredictable weather. With expectations of a below-average sweet potato crop, industry leaders warn that many farmers are facing one of their hardest seasons in recent memory. Growers Under Pressure as Yields Drop Leadership Perspective Caleb Englert, who … Read more
Many farmers are discovering that composting, combined with cover cropping and regenerative agriculture practices, can dramatically boost soil health, reduce input costs, and improve long-term productivity. One of the most effective — and often overlooked — materials for composting is rice hulls, a carbon-rich byproduct available across the Delta region at no cost. Arkansas farmer … Read more
Modern soybean growers aiming to push their fields toward higher yields understand that true productivity comes from maintaining a balanced nutrient program. While traditional focus has always centered on nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, today’s research shows that secondary nutrients—especially calcium—play a much larger role than previously believed. Once treated as a minor component, calcium is … Read more
Growing a successful wheat crop begins long before seeds enter the soil. Farmers invest significant effort in variety selection, soil preparation, and nutrient management long ahead of planting. Even after seedlings emerge, the work certainly does not stop. Modern wheat farming demands strategic planning, timely interventions, and the right tools to help plants withstand a … Read more
Fourth-generation Texas farmer Eric Smith is rethinking how his family’s operation should move forward. Instead of sticking to traditional practices, he focuses on what makes financial sense today. Increasingly, that means expanding stocker cattle numbers and reducing reliance on row crops like cotton, especially as drought, shrinking irrigation, rising input costs, and weak commodity prices … Read more