Pivotal Issues Blog

By: Farm Progress, Nebraska Farmer Balancing risks and rewards when evaluating seed options is more important than ever in times of economic uncertainty and lower commodity prices. Maximizing profitability requires choosing a corn hybrid with traits and disease tolerance packages that match the needs of your field history and environmental conditions. “Choosing the right seed […]

By: Farm Progress, Michigan Farmer Farmers’ Almanac, in partnership with the American Farm Bureau Federation, announces its search for three farmers or ranchers to be recognized as “Farmers’ Almanac Farmer of the Year.” The contest, announced in the special 200th Collector’s Edition of the 2017 Farmers’ Almanac, seeks to recognize and share the dedication, hard […]

By: Kristin M. Gunsolus Farmers, as well as other business owners, have various options when it comes to choosing a form of business organization. Choosing the correct form depends on many considerations, including income tax implications, flexibility, ease and expense of recordkeeping, exit strategy and liability protection. I will focus on using an entity for liability […]

By: Jim Patrico If you plan on buying farm equipment soon, also plan on an in-depth discussion with your lender. That’s the gist of what Jerry Lehnertz, senior vice president of AgriBank Farm Credit in St. Paul, Minnesota, told DTN/The Progressive Farmer recently. During a recent market outlook session, in which experts also discussed emerging […]

By: Farm Progress, The Farmer Nitrogen, an essential nutrient for optimum corn production, can be supplied from soil organic matter, a previous legume crop, livestock manure and commercial fertilizers. However, N management in soils is challenging. Improper use can cause environmental implications. Too often, when these events surface, farmers’ land use practices are questioned by the […]

By: Janet Kubat Willette Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack looked ahead and backward in a Wednesday press conference where he announced an additional investment in beginning farmers. Vilsack, who has served as agriculture secretary during the entire Obama administration, said USDA has set up a framework to invite new people into the business of farming. It’s important […]

By: Farm Progress, Western Farmer-Stockman Noxious weeds are simply trouble, sometimes breaking the lifecycle of native grassland areas by crowding out important plants vital to a local ecosystem. Dalmation toadflax is an escaped ornamental weed that has found its way into Colorado pastures, meadows, roadsides and rangland. This is an aggressive plant, producing up to […]

By: Farm Progress, Western Farmer-Stockman The wind can whip at 60 miles per hour across the Klein family farm near Pavillion, Wyo., and their sandy loam soil goes with it. Because of this, Garrett Klein, and his dad, Richard, and their respective families, decided to minimum till their malt barley and sugar beet fields, and […]

By: Farm Progress, Western Farmer-Stockman The life of a plant is more complicated than many originally thought, as researchers delve into a range of factors that can influence growth and development. Scientists at the Weed Science Society of America notes that plants can sense and communicate in ways that may surprise you. Originally, it was […]

By: John Hart Very few Georgia farmers use advanced irrigation scheduling techniques to manage irrigation on their farms because they often find it overwhelming or too costly to implement. “The people that use advanced irrigation techniques are usually consultants in Georgia. There is a lot of data and you have to interpret that data and […]