Pivotal Issues Blog

By: Terri Queck-Matzie Cover crops are plants planted on cropland in the off-season to help protect the soil from erosion. In addition, they improve soil and water quality, and in some cases, provide grazing for livestock. They can provide weed control, reducing the need for chemical inputs, and improve wildlife habitat. Cover crops are becoming more […]

By: Tharran Gaines If you were to mention The Nature Conservancy to a gathering of farmers, you’d probably find a few who envision the nonprofit as an environmental group that would prefer to see cornfields turned into wetlands and wildlife habitat. While that has been the case in a few critical locations, The Nature Conservancy, in […]

By: Sonja Begemann Many farmers are chomping at the bit as rain and flooding keeps them out of fields. If you’re one of many waiting to get out with a planter, there are a few ways you can get yourself as ready as possible in the shop. Farm Journal columnist Dan Anderson says you shouldn’t let […]

By: Megan Vollstedt If you noticed what looks like spots of tar on your corn leaves last year, you weren’t alone. Known as tar spot, the fungus has continued to infiltrate the Midwest since it was first identified in the U.S. in 2015. As wet, moderate weather persists this spring, farmers should be on the lookout […]

By: Kylene Scott Kansas is the nation’s top sorghum producing state. And sorghum farmers in Kansas and across the Sorghum Belt are starting to get a leg up. The farmer leaders of the Kansas Grain Sorghum Commission, Kansas State University and the United Sorghum Checkoff Program worked together to form the Collaborative Sorghum Investment Program, or […]

By: Industry Voice by Norwood Sales Jerry Overton, farms just north of Minot, ND and is close to the Canadian bounder. “This far north, I’m a wheat, canola and flax guy. I love flax. Lots of soybeans up here too but I don’t raise any. Flax is my choice. I make 30+ bushel flax. Market hasn’t […]

By: Wisconsin Agriculturist In this new video, see how Jeff Frey began planting cover crops and how he partnered with a Penn State professor on a Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education project to share the benefits of cover crops. Frey sees the soil as his livelihood, so he does what he can to protect and […]

By: Willie Vogt The world of crop fungicides has exploded in the past 13 years. And the market continues to rise as farmers find that crop diseases are the latest yield-robbers in their fields. In a media event that offered a little tongue-in-cheek mystery, BASF unveiled a new tool that farmers will get access to for […]

By: Gary Stone Early Detection and Rapid Response is a concept to identify potential invasive species before or just as the establishment of the invasive species is taking place. An integrated pest management plan can be developed to manage, contain and eradicate the invasive species before it can spread further, avoiding costly, long-term control efforts. A […]

By: Tyler Harris At the peak of the flood events in March, more than 75% of Nebraska counties had declared an emergency because of flooding. After the floodwaters receded, they revealed damaged bridges and roads, and sand and silt deposited on fields. But what about equipment? Ron McClain, director of appraisals, pricing and sales support at […]