The Trend-Adjusted Actual Production History (TA-APH) allows farmers to increase yields used in calculating guarantees for plans within the COMBO product. For the same guarantee level, farmer-paid premiums will almost always be the same or lower using the TA-APH yield endorsement than without the endorsement....More
A new Issue Paper from CAST, Herbicide-resistant Weeds Threaten Soil Conservation Gains: Finding a Balance for Soil and Farm Sustainability, examines the impact of certain weed management practices on soil conservation objectives and addresses ways to mitigate negative effects....More
Who invents a game called crow ping-pong anyhow? Next time someone claims that America has cornered the global market on the unusual, the Germans should step up and at least claim responsibility for Crowbusters — a group of Bavarian bird hunters waiting for the apocalypse....More
One of the most fun new digital “toys” on the market is the new Apple iPhone 4S cell phone. Television commercials on Apple’s latest telephone innovation tout asking any question by clicking on the phone’s microphone button with answers delivered in mere seconds via Apple.
Siri is the voice which verbally answers the answers…or tries too. In reality, many of Siri’s answers – no matter the question – are designed to help iPhone users find restaurant and grocery store locations. That’s good for agriculture....More
In an effort to gauge current and potential labor shortages resulting from enactment of the state’s immigration law, the Alabama Agribusiness Council (AAC) is asking farmers, producers and agribusinesses to complete a Web-based survey by Feb. 13. ...More
So far, an emerging fly parasite has only been found in honey bee hives in California and South Dakota. The possibility that it is an emerging parasite underlines the danger that could threaten honey bee colonies throughout North America, especially given the number of states that commercial hives cross and are deployed in....More
North Texas has enjoyed exceptionally mild weather so far in this New Year. The thermometer pushed past 70 yesterday and is headed in that direction again today. My trusty iPhone weather app indicates a high of 64 today and then moving into the balmy range of 70, 74, and 71 for the rest of the week before it plunges to a chilly 66 by next Monday....More
Self-made billionaire, software magnate and philanthropist Bill Gates may not know everything about agriculture, but when it comes to addressing the problem of world hunger, he understands the meaning of making sound investments in the future....More
Landowners trying to deal with feral hog populations may find that between now and spring green-up may be the best time to reduce those numbers....More
