Around Farm Progress

California produces 80% of the world’s almonds, which may be a surprise to many. Maintaining that market position on a global basis takes legwork, and more. Todd Fitchette with Western Farm Press got a glimpse of that work in his conversation with Clay Hamilton, associate administrator of USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service.

In their discussion, Hamilton outlines trade work the organization does to support the almond industry, which helps the U.S. maintain it’s No. 1 position.

The growing attention to programs to cut greenhouse gas emissions, engage in climate-smart farming and maximize resources is converging on a process that’s been around for centuries – bio-based gas. Anaerobic digesters have been put to use on poultry, swine and dairy operations for years putting that gas to work powering electric generators, but now buyers just want the gas. And the Inflation Reduction Act is turning up the heat on the whole idea.

Todd Taylor, an attorney with the Minneapolis firm Avisen, is involved with new businesses, and innovations in a range of industries and he has his eye on renewable natural gas. In this episode of Around Farm Progress, he discusses the opportunities ahead and shares why it matters to farmers. A key is that renewable natural gas production is now on the same footing as solar and wind power in the eyes of financial incentive programs focused on renewable energy.

Ever consider who the major players in digital agriculture are? There’s one you may not be aware of – Syngenta. The crop protection firm, in its various forms in the past, has been digging into digital farming for more than 25 years. What started as a cotton-focused tool has expanded considerably over time.

And in 2023, farmers will be hearing more about a product called CropWise. This isn’t an ad for the service, but a discussion about how digital farming is changing and what it can mean for most farmers, including those just figuring out how best to use the information they have on hand. Rod Cowman, head of digital agriculture solutions at Syngenta, discussed the challenge of turning data into knowledge, and offers some insight into the future use of these tools.

While there wasn’t a big red wave during the mid-term elections earlier this month, change happens. The 118th Congress will be split as the Republicans take back the house in 2023. But what might that mean to the next farm bill?

Curt Covington, senior director of Institution Credit, AgAmerica Lending, has long followed the ag economy and the policies that shape the industry. He discussed the next farm bill and what may be ahead for the new Congress. And the conversation veered farther than just discussing the mid-terms.

What’s on your bucket list? Thinking of skydiving or perhaps bungie jumping? Or maybe trying a unique fundraiser is more your speed. That’s the story behind this week’s Around Farm Progress podcast.

Curt Arens with Nebraska Farmer share the story of a trip taken by Dick and Carolee Ourada from Imperial, Neb., to Fairbanks, Alaska. The Ouradas made the trip by tractor, specifically an International Harvester 574, traveling at the top speed of 20 mph.

Bring up the word “sustainability” in a meeting and you can almost hear the eyes roll, but this issue isn’t going away. Is there a way farmers can demonstrate their sustainability, build on it and perhaps grow profit? It’s possible.

Liz Hunt, head, Sustainable and Responsible Business, Syngenta, explored the concept in the latest episode of Around Farm Progress. While that word, sustainability, has many definitions, Hunt helps narrow the scope and discusses practices farmers may already be doing that can help.

Reporting on agriculture to help keep farmers informed is no small task. The challenges of providing useful insights to farmers to help boost farm profitability is a big chore. Two new writers have joined the Farm Progress team.

Betty Haynes lives on an Illinois diversified farm that includes corn, soybeans and cattle. She's the new associate editor for Prairie Farmer.

Whitney Haigwood lives on a diversified operation in Arkansas raising rice and other crops. She's the new writer for Delta Farm Press.

Both women share their insights, why they want to write about agriculture. It's a chance to get to know our the writers who provide information for our audience.

Farmers may have heard the terms artificial intelligence and machine learning more often lately as new technologies using these tools come to market. It’s a growing opportunity for changing the way a wide range of industries work and agriculture is already seeing some benefits.

An artificial intelligence system is essentially a thinking computer, and the University of Florida is working to bring this technology to a wider range of industries. Scott Angle, senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, is part of that effort.

Angle explores the significance of this work for the university and for society.

Farmers are often looking for new crops that bring more profit, or perhaps serve other purposes. In this episode, we explore the potential for raising sesame in North Carolina as an alternative crop. Then we turn our attention to the idea of planting a milpa garden and we explain what that is and it's value on the farm.

Rethinking the crops raised on the farm can bring more profit, or improve ways farmers can engage with the local community. These are two examples from Farm Progress editors John Hart from Southeast Farm Press and Jennifer M. Latzke with Kansas Farmer.

Is the Mississippi River drying up? That’s unlikely, but for 2022 this stalwart part of a vibrant transportation infrastructure has been challenged by the continuing Midwest drought. Recently, barge traffic was halted on the river, and when it resumed there were limits imposed on how barges.

Ginger Rowsey, Delta Farm Press, has been following this ongoing river issue and she discusses what she’s learned so far. And she shares what she learned talking with Tug Captain, Eric Badeaux, a 40-plus year river veteran. He discussed what’s been happening to him on the river. Rowsey also points out that while grain flows are limited which is weakening basis at river terminals, there is another challenge – moving fertilizer for the 2023 crop.