Viewers of Episode 1 of Faces of Food Season 3 watched as Illinois corn and soybean producer Doug Martin emphasized the importance of “trying different things” to improve soil health and grain quality. “We’re trying to make that soil healthier by introducing more beneficial fungi, bacteria, things like that,” he says. In addition to using…
It’s no secret that the process of passing the new farm bill is moving at a snail’s pace. Congress was supposed to renew this large and complex piece of legislation in 2023 to replace the 2018 Farm Bill but extended it one year into 2024. Now, the 2024 planting season is behind us and crops…
As the US farm economy grapples with unprecedented challenges, producers find themselves at a crossroads, with dwindling options and growing uncertainty. Producers and economists alike are concerned about the outlook for the US farm economy. The recent downturn in commodity prices, coupled with stubbornly high input costs, has left many operators struggling to break even.…
One big question in 2019 is trade: Will the U.S. and China reach an agreement? Will Congress approve the pact with Canada and Mexico? While export markets are important, there are other market drivers to consider: South American weather, African swine fever, and U.S. corn-soybean acreage swings, to name just a few. Because so much…
