Pivotal Issues Blog

By: Mike Wilson Around the turn of the last century German chemists Fritz Haber and Carl Bosch advanced a moonshot idea that likely saved mankind: converting atmospheric nitrogen in to ammonia fertilizer. That unleashed the age of synthetic fertilizer leading to higher crop yields and bountiful food supplies for a growing world population. Now, over a […]

By: Kansas Farmer I approached an intersection where a new stop sign was installed and had no trouble spotting it. The octagon shape was outlined in tiny red flashing lights. I noticed a small solar collector behind the sign, powering the lights. Whoever invented these simple solar cells might have been inspired by watching corn […]

By: Delta Farm Press Tired of seeing invasive species invading your field, woodlot or lake? There are several educational events planned during the 20th annual National Invasive Species Awareness Week for you to learn about ridding your property of the alien invaders. “Invasive species are found in every imaginable habitat – from lakes, streams and […]

By: Eric Prostko You ever wondered what is happening during an herbicide application. The interaction of herbicides (and all pesticides) with the environment is very complex, but understanding this interaction is crucial to improving stewardship and effectiveness. Given the ever-increasing scrutiny of non-agriculturists, it is more important now for those of us in the pesticide application […]

By: Southeast FarmPress Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists have transferred a biochemical pathway found in sorghum, which produces a weed-killing compound, into rice plants. The compound, sorgoleone, secreted by sorghum, helps the plant combat weeds. It works so well that some other crops struggle to grow in fields where sorghum has been raised, causing problems […]

By: Tyler Husa and Brett Melton, Kansas State University Research and Extension After a rough winter many producers are dealing with the rough aftermath. Trampled pastures, fields, waterways, and erosion issues are plaguing many of our producers in the River Valley Extension District and across Kansas as well. These unfavorable conditions will need to be addressed […]

By: Successful Farming Staff When Clarence Breker was a boy early in the last century, he’d ride his pony up to the top of a hill near Havana in southeastern North Dakota. He’d breathe in the seemingly endless prairie down below, with golden native grasses and blooming flowers simultaneously waving in a silent concert. Years later, […]

By: Successful Farming Staff Grain storage is vital to the success of marketing and selling quality products. Over the past few years, low commodity prices have caused some farmers to store more grain than in years past. When you’re storing grain for longer periods of time, knowing proper storage options is key to keeping grain in […]

By: Tharran Gaines Farmers are stuck in a precarious position ahead of planting this spring. It seems like a lot of advice lately is to “hurry up and wait.” Wait for waters to recede, wait to assess field conditions, wait for financial assistance. While patience is a virtue, how can you make the most of […]

By: Mike McGinnis DES MOINES, Iowa — “Chapters in books and entire books will be written about this (Midwest March flood) tragedy,” says Keith Glewen, an educator at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. In Nebraska, the state’s governor has estimated the losses to the agricultural sector alone at $1 billion. The damage covers states such as Nebraska, […]