FTC Sues John Deere over Its Repair Monopoly
(404media.co)
The Biden administration and the states of Illinois and Minnesota sued tractor and agricultural manufacturer John Deere Wednesday, arguing that the company’s anti consumer repair practices have driven up prices for farmers and have made it difficult for them to get repairs during critical planting and harvesting seasons.
The Biden administration and the states of Illinois and Minnesota sued tractor and agricultural manufacturer John Deere Wednesday, arguing that the company’s anti consumer repair practices have driven up prices for farmers and have made it difficult for them to get repairs during critical planting and harvesting seasons.
Maintaining and sustaining soil health
(worldsensorium.com)
"OK. There are more living organisms in one tablespoon of soil than there are people living on the earth."
"OK. There are more living organisms in one tablespoon of soil than there are people living on the earth."
Grocery Prices Set to Rise as Soil Becomes 'Unproductive' – Newsweek
(newsweek.com)
Experts are warning of a looming increase in grocery prices as agricultural soil becomes increasingly unproductive.
Experts are warning of a looming increase in grocery prices as agricultural soil becomes increasingly unproductive.
Across southeastern US, weedy rice steals herbicide resistance from crop rice
(phys.org)
Weedy rice is a close relative of cultivated rice that infests rice fields worldwide and drastically reduces yields.
Weedy rice is a close relative of cultivated rice that infests rice fields worldwide and drastically reduces yields.
When the U.S. tried to replace migrant farmworkers with high schoolers (2018)
(npr.org)
In 1964, a program that brought migrant Mexican laborers to the U.S. ended. So the U.S. recruited American students to pick crops instead. When they saw their living conditions, strikes ensued.
In 1964, a program that brought migrant Mexican laborers to the U.S. ended. So the U.S. recruited American students to pick crops instead. When they saw their living conditions, strikes ensued.
Deere Goes Driverless Beyond Midwest Farms to Ease Labor Crunch
(bloomberg.com)
Deere & Co., which has already introduced driverless plows to farm fields in the Midwest, now wants to bring autonomous machines to orchards, quarries and grassy lawns to help ease a tight labor market.
Deere & Co., which has already introduced driverless plows to farm fields in the Midwest, now wants to bring autonomous machines to orchards, quarries and grassy lawns to help ease a tight labor market.
In Colorado, a marriage of solar energy and farming
(ksjd.org)
The fields surrounding Byron Kominek’s farm lay fallow. But on a sunny morning in mid-December, Kominek harvests the sun’s rays.
The fields surrounding Byron Kominek’s farm lay fallow. But on a sunny morning in mid-December, Kominek harvests the sun’s rays.
How saffron became an American cash crop
(nytimes.com)
It’s hard work to harvest, but a growing cadre of small farmers and home gardeners are cultivating the spice for profit, or simply pleasure.
It’s hard work to harvest, but a growing cadre of small farmers and home gardeners are cultivating the spice for profit, or simply pleasure.
Iowa is "in crisis" due to illegal manure discharges into waterways
(thenewlede.org)
Iowa regulators are failing to properly penalize Iowa factory farms for illegally contaminating state waterways with animal waste, according to an analysis released Monday by a public health advocacy group.
Iowa regulators are failing to properly penalize Iowa factory farms for illegally contaminating state waterways with animal waste, according to an analysis released Monday by a public health advocacy group.
'The dead zone is real': why US farmers are embracing wildflowers
(theguardian.com)
Between two corn fields in central Iowa, Lee Tesdell walks through a corridor of native prairie grasses and wildflowers. Crickets trill as dickcissels, small brown birds with yellow chests, pop out of the dewy ground cover.
Between two corn fields in central Iowa, Lee Tesdell walks through a corridor of native prairie grasses and wildflowers. Crickets trill as dickcissels, small brown birds with yellow chests, pop out of the dewy ground cover.
Three-quarters of the land is drying out, 'redefining life on Earth'
(grist.org)
As Earth grows warmer, its ground is becoming drier and saltier, with profound consequences for the planet’s 8 billion inhabitants — nearly a third of whom already live in places where water is increasingly scarce and the ability to raise crops and livestock is increasingly difficult.
As Earth grows warmer, its ground is becoming drier and saltier, with profound consequences for the planet’s 8 billion inhabitants — nearly a third of whom already live in places where water is increasingly scarce and the ability to raise crops and livestock is increasingly difficult.
America Lost Control of the Bird Flu, Setting the Stage for Another Pandemic
(kffhealthnews.org)
Nearly a year into the first outbreak of the bird flu among cattle, the virus shows no sign of slowing. The U.S. government failed to eliminate the virus on dairy farms when it was confined to a handful of states, by quickly identifying infected cows and taking measures to keep their infections from spreading. Now at least 875 herds across 16 states have tested positive.
Nearly a year into the first outbreak of the bird flu among cattle, the virus shows no sign of slowing. The U.S. government failed to eliminate the virus on dairy farms when it was confined to a handful of states, by quickly identifying infected cows and taking measures to keep their infections from spreading. Now at least 875 herds across 16 states have tested positive.
Sour Prospects for Florida and Oranges
(theguardian.com)
For decades it was the signature taste of Florida: orange juice from the state’s plentiful groves advertised to a thirsty nation as “your daily dose of sunshine”. But now another hyperactive hurricane season, paired with the dogged persistence of an untreatable tree disease known as greening, has left a once thriving citrus industry on life support.
For decades it was the signature taste of Florida: orange juice from the state’s plentiful groves advertised to a thirsty nation as “your daily dose of sunshine”. But now another hyperactive hurricane season, paired with the dogged persistence of an untreatable tree disease known as greening, has left a once thriving citrus industry on life support.
Grocery Prices Set to Rise Due to Soil Unproductivity
(newsweek.com)
Experts are warning of a looming increase in grocery prices as agricultural soil becomes increasingly unproductive.
Experts are warning of a looming increase in grocery prices as agricultural soil becomes increasingly unproductive.
Grocery Prices Set to Rise as Soil Becomes 'Unproductive'
(newsweek.com)
Experts are warning of a looming increase in grocery prices as agricultural soil becomes increasingly unproductive.
Experts are warning of a looming increase in grocery prices as agricultural soil becomes increasingly unproductive.
Two-inch long 'murder hornets' eradicated from US, agriculture department says
(theguardian.com)
The world’s largest hornet, an invasive breed nicknamed the “murder hornet” for its dangerous sting and ability to slaughter a hive of honeybees in as little as 90 minutes, has been declared eradicated in the US, five years after being spotted for the first time in Washington state near the Canadian border.
The world’s largest hornet, an invasive breed nicknamed the “murder hornet” for its dangerous sting and ability to slaughter a hive of honeybees in as little as 90 minutes, has been declared eradicated in the US, five years after being spotted for the first time in Washington state near the Canadian border.
US egg industry kills 350M chicks a year. New tech offers an alternative
(tampabay.com)
Every year the U.S. egg industry kills about 350 million male chicks because, while the fuzzy little animals are incredibly cute, they will never lay eggs, so have little monetary value.
Every year the U.S. egg industry kills about 350 million male chicks because, while the fuzzy little animals are incredibly cute, they will never lay eggs, so have little monetary value.
Cannabis pollen dispersal across the United States
(nature.com)
For the recently legalized US hemp industry (Cannabis sativa), cross-pollination between neighboring fields has become a significant challenge, leading to contaminated seeds, reduced oil yields, and in some cases, mandated crop destruction.
For the recently legalized US hemp industry (Cannabis sativa), cross-pollination between neighboring fields has become a significant challenge, leading to contaminated seeds, reduced oil yields, and in some cases, mandated crop destruction.
Factory Farming Is Better Than Organic Farming
(theness.com)
Some narratives are simply ubiquitous in our culture (every culture has its universal narratives). Sometimes these narratives emerge out of shared values, like liberty and freedom. Sometimes they emerge out of foundational beliefs (the US still has a puritanical bent). And sometimes they are the product of decades of marketing.
Some narratives are simply ubiquitous in our culture (every culture has its universal narratives). Sometimes these narratives emerge out of shared values, like liberty and freedom. Sometimes they emerge out of foundational beliefs (the US still has a puritanical bent). And sometimes they are the product of decades of marketing.
Chip Cities Rise in Japan's Fields of Dreams
(bloomberg.com)
Rice paddies that lay fallow for decades in some of Japan’s most far-flung regions are now its hottest properties. As prices surge, these areas are discovering the truth to the old adage: If you build it, they will come1.
Rice paddies that lay fallow for decades in some of Japan’s most far-flung regions are now its hottest properties. As prices surge, these areas are discovering the truth to the old adage: If you build it, they will come1.
Biodiversity loss due to agricultural trade three times higher than thought
(phys.org)
Exporting agricultural products from tropical regions to China, the U.S., the Middle East, and Europe is three times more harmful to biodiversity than previously assumed.
Exporting agricultural products from tropical regions to China, the U.S., the Middle East, and Europe is three times more harmful to biodiversity than previously assumed.
Canada's new Right-to-Repair laws "good news for farmers"
(farms.com)
Two federal bills received Royal Assent in November that will make it easier for consumers to fix and service the products they use on a daily basis. That includes phones and fridges and even tractors.
Two federal bills received Royal Assent in November that will make it easier for consumers to fix and service the products they use on a daily basis. That includes phones and fridges and even tractors.
How big data created the modern dairy cow
(worksinprogress.co)
What do cryogenics, butterfat tests, and genetic data have in common? They’re some of the reasons behind the world’s most productive dairy cows. Here’s how it all started.
What do cryogenics, butterfat tests, and genetic data have in common? They’re some of the reasons behind the world’s most productive dairy cows. Here’s how it all started.
With extreme heat during the day, farmers, fishers worldwide work overnight
(grist.org)
With extreme heat making it perilous to work during the day, farmers and fisherfolk worldwide are adopting overnight hours. That comes with new dangers.
With extreme heat making it perilous to work during the day, farmers and fisherfolk worldwide are adopting overnight hours. That comes with new dangers.
Xylella Fastidiosa: A crisis brewing in Europe's olive groves
(everymansci.com)
Across the sun-drenched landscapes of Southern Italy and other olive-growing regions in Europe, a deadly bacterium is wreaking havoc on olive trees, with devastating consequences for local economies and the global olive oil market.
Across the sun-drenched landscapes of Southern Italy and other olive-growing regions in Europe, a deadly bacterium is wreaking havoc on olive trees, with devastating consequences for local economies and the global olive oil market.
Bird flu has been detected in a pig in the US. Why does that matter?
(theconversation.com)
The United States Department of Agriculture last week reported that a pig on a backyard farm in Oregon was infected with bird flu.
The United States Department of Agriculture last week reported that a pig on a backyard farm in Oregon was infected with bird flu.
I bought an $4500 mini electric tractor off of Alibaba
(reddit.com)
I finally received my mini electric loader, and I will say: The experience of buying a 1,900 pound piece of farm equipment from China was an interesting one.
I finally received my mini electric loader, and I will say: The experience of buying a 1,900 pound piece of farm equipment from China was an interesting one.
Dutch tulip farmer is swapping gas for heat from Bitcoin mining
(euronews.com)
A greenhouse in the Netherlands is using the heat generated from cryptocurrency mining to partially heat its large premises, saving on its gas bill.
A greenhouse in the Netherlands is using the heat generated from cryptocurrency mining to partially heat its large premises, saving on its gas bill.