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Biomass Energy
Biomass is organic plant and animal waste that can be used as a source of energy. Taking a relatively small amount of time to produce, rather than million of years for the formation of fossil fuels, biomass is a renewable energy source, the only renewable energy source that can be turned in liquid biofuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel fuel. -
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Export
From 2000-2009, the average annual value of agricultural exports totaled $71.6 billion/year or 4% of total exports. From 2010-2017, the average annual value of agricultural exports totaled $140 billion/year. -
Farmer's Market
"Direct marketing of farm products through farmers markets continues to be an important sales outlet for agricultural producers nationwide. Farmers markets, now an integral part in the urban/farm linkage, have continued to rise in popularity, mostly due to the growing consumer interest in obtaining fresh products directly from the farm. -
Farm Security and Rural Investment Act
The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, signed by President George W. Bush, was passed to address water and other environmental issues. Programs included the Conservation Security Program, which created a reward system for eco-conscientious farmers, and it increases funding for conservation programs by 80% over 10 years. -
World Food Price Crisis
In a study conducted by the International Food Policy Research Institute in 2010, major factors of the global food crisis of 2007-08 included: increased demand for biofuels, which drove up the price of corn and soybeans; higher oil prices; poor weather that decreased wheat production in Ukraine, Australia, and Argentina; bans on various exports and panic buying, especially for rice exports which experienced global price increases from $350 to $1,000; and the falling value of the US dollar. -
From Chicken Feathers to Flower Pots
Chicken is the number one protein consumed in the United States. Domesticated in Egypt around 3000 BC, more than 300 breeds of chickens exist today, but only a few are used for meat production. Wild turkeys, on the other hand, have roamed North and South America for millions of years, but the domesticated ones are those that primarily end up on our dinner tables. The $5.18 billion poultry industry created or supported as many as 18,776 jobs in 2016, providing an average annual salary of $68,604. -
First Self-Driving Tractor
Created by Terry Anderson, founder of the Autonomous Tractor Corporation, the first self-driving, autonomous tractor was unveiled at the Big Iron Farm Show in West Fargo, North Dakota. Anderson came out of retirement to design an automated tractor after hearing complaints from farmers about labor issues, increased tractor prices, and design problems. The 25,000-pound tractor, named The Spirit, is able to travel in a straight line, turn corners, prepare the soil for planting, destroy weeds. -
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GMO POTATOES
Approved in 2014, the first GMO potatoes became available commercially for farmers to grow. These potatoes are non-browning, have reduced bruising and black spot, are blight resistant, and contain low acrylamide levels. Late blight continues to be a major problem for potato growers around the world, particularly in wet climates, and was responsible for the potato famine in Ireland in the mid-1840s. -
Everything But the Moo
Based on 2016 statistics, did you know that each person consumes approximately 62 pounds of beef. Beef consumption is not just about eating steak and hamburger, but using their by-products , as well. The following is a partial list of beef by-products that consumers use on a daily basis: fats (hand soap, dish soap, insecticides, shaving cream, paint)
bones (bandage strips, toothbrushes, dice, shampoo and conditioner, combs)
hides (leather footwear, luggage, sports balls, ointment base) -
The Use of Drones in Agriculture is on the Rise
The first is the growing population which is projected to be at 9 billion people by 2050, this means that agricultural consumption could increase nearly 70% within this same time frame. The second challenge that could be remedied by the use of drones is extreme weather events which create obstacles to productivity. Great strides in the integration of drones into agriculture could be made with the collaboration of stakeholders including governments, technology leaders, and industry. -
Renewable Fuels
World Food Price Crisis
