Agriculture

Iowa corn beginning to silk, soybeans blooming ahead of normal

Across the state of Iowa, approximately 2% of planted corn acres are beginning to silk, and 13% of soybean acres are blooming, which is five days ahead of the five-year average, according to the crop progress and condition report. 

Farm Bureau report: Iowa consumers worry about government-caused increases in food costs

The Iowa Farm Bureau’s latest food and farm index found that among concerns of the high cost of groceries, the overwhelming majority of Iowa grocery shoppers surveyed are concerned about increases to food prices caused by government regulations.  The annual survey, conducted by the Harris Poll, also found that more consumers are seeking locally grown […]

Nearly half of Iowa corn acres planted

Despite another week of rainy conditions, which left an average of just over three days suitable for field work, Iowa farmers have more corn and soybeans in the ground than this time last year.  Corn planted in the state reached 49%, which is three days ahead of 2024 planting but two days behind the average.  […]

Mango farms where? Climate change is scrambling where the world's food is grown.

Grist details how farmers from Italy to California are embracing mango crops as the world warms.

A secret weapon in agriculture's climate fight: Ants

Grist explores the possibility of ants to replace pesticides as crops are threatened by climate change.

How Solar Power Saves Family Farms

(NewsUSA) - Many small, family-owned farms in America are struggling to make ends meet. But some farmers like Byron Kominek are discovering how renewable energy can help them keep their land and …

Making sex deadly for insects could control pests that carry disease and harm crops

Mosquitoes cause around a million deaths per year. So, scientists are coming up with genetic engineering techniques that could lower their numbers.

A farmer harvests corn near McIntire, Iowa, on Oct. 31, 2023.

The USDA oversees food production and much more. However, it has little direct power to reduce food prices – a centerpiece of President Trump’s campaign.
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For all the attention on flashy new artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT, the challenges of regulating AI, and doomsday scenarios of superintelligent machines, AI is a useful tool in many fields. In fact, it has enormous potential to benefit humanity. …
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(BPT) - With millions of kids attending camp each summer in the U.S., parents are gearing up for the return of swim days, tie-dye crafts, and nature hikes. Whether it's their first camp or their …
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Half of Americans experience financial 'FOMO'
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High School Students Can Get a Head Start on College this Summer — For Free
(BPT) - Summer is the perfect time for high school students to start exploring college-level learning and make progress on general education requirements. Now there's an easier and more affordable …