Agriculture
This 12-foot grass could help farmers earn some extra revenue — and keep their soil healthy
Giant miscanthus is a perennial grass that can be used for energy, building materials and animal bedding. Researchers say it can be planted alongside corn and soybeans and harvested in the winter, offering farmers a way to diversify their income.
A Farm Bill needs rural and urban support. That bipartisan coalition is on shaky footing
Food and farm programs historically persist through the farm bill. Packaging multiple cross-party issues into one bill ensures rural and urban legislators come together to pass it. But that coalition has been fracturing over past farm bill cycles, creating uncertainty on the farm and in grocery stores.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign hosts first of its kind summit on a perennial grass
Miscanthus is a perennial grass plant that can be used for energy and building materials. Researchers hope it will be widely adapted by farmers and the bioenergy and bioproduct sectors.
This U of I environmental scientist hopes his research will help promote sustainable farming practices
Kaiyu Guan uses satellite sensing data, mathematical modeling and artificial intelligence to measure plant growth. He’s one of 20 MacArthur Fellows who will receive $800,000 over the next five years to help fund their research.
Aging farmers and the government want to save farms, but for many the cost is too high
A federal program promises to pay for farmland preservation. Few landowners are taking advantage.
American hay growers face triple whammy of drought, pests and high fuel costs
Farmers are cutting less hay this year due to persistent drought, the soaring price of fuel and a new pest. That’s driving up the cost for livestock producers, who often rely on hay to feed their animals during the winter.
Hunting and foraging classes gain popularity, as more people want to connect with nature
People have harvested wild foods for millennia, but learning how to do it today is harder, because fewer people have those skills. These groups are teaching people to eat “field to fork” again.
Scientists tracked cotton’s origin. They say wild cotton could make the crop better
Researchers recently traced the birthplace of the world’s dominant cotton species to the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. Their sleuthing also uncovered a treasure trove of genetic diversity in wild populations, which could eventually make the crop more resilient.
Natural American cheese? A Midwest company has revamped the ooey gooey classic
Sargento has developed a natural American cheese, hoping to give consumers classic melt without added ingredients.
This grain could be an answer to drought-prone fields – if more Americans eat it
More farmers are showing interest in sorghum, a drought-tolerant grain. The crop is poised to expand in the U.S. – especially if Americans start consuming it.
Railroads are charging more to ship grain. U.S. farmers may have to pick up the tab
Harvest season is nearing for many farmers. But the railroads that transport their harvested grain have raised their shipping costs with record-high diesel prices. That could mean lower grain prices for growers.
Cattle groups say ICE activity ripples through supply chain
Cattle industry groups in Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas say U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity is resulting in delays and workforce disruptions.