Author: Dave Alexander

Lindsay Corporation (NYSE: LNN), a leading global manufacturer and distributor of irrigation and infrastructure equipment and technology, has announced plans to invest more than $50 million over the next two years in its largest global manufacturing facility located in Lindsay, Neb.

Plans for the modernization of the facility include implementing Industry 4.0 technologies, including data connectivity, analytics, artificial intelligence and the additions of automation and robotics. The facility will house new equipment and the latest advancements in galvanizing, a core process for manufacturing pivot irrigation systems and road safety products. Lindsay will also expand the facility footprint by 40,000 square feet to allow for increased capacity and capabilities in metal forming.

This investment is the largest in Lindsay’s history. The company expects to begin capital spending in the second quarter of fiscal 2024 and complete the facility modernization by the end of 2025.

At its heart, sustainable agriculture is simple. In practice, it’s much more complicated. Farmers and ranchers who value sustainability embrace three common goals for a successful production system:

• Profit over the long term
• Stewardship of our nation’s land, air and water
• Quality of life for farmers, ranchers, farm employees and communities

SARE’s newly revised What is Sustainable Agriculture? publication provides a primer to practices that can help farmers and ranchers improve the sustainability of any operation. For example:

• Biological Diversity: Crop rotation and integrated crop and livestock systems are proven approaches for managing water quality, cycling nutrients and interrupting the life cycles of pests.
• Health and Wellbeing of People: Safe and humane working conditions and fair compensation for producers and farmworkers are essential components of a sustainable production system.
• Soil Health: Healthy soil provides a strong foundation for the vitality of any crop or forage. Cover crops, conservation tillage and effective compost and pasture management can help producers improve soil quality.
• Ecological Pest Management: Understanding insect, weed and disease pests can help producers improve control through scouting, reduced applications, biodiversity and other tools.

Available for free in print and online.

Order, download or read online now

The latest report from the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer indicates that U.S. farmers’ inflation expectations have subsided while overall producer sentiment changed little. 

The December barometer recorded a reading of 114, just one point lower than in November. Both subindices of the barometer, the Index of Current Conditions and the Index of Future Expectations, mirrored this slight decline, settling one point below their respective November figures at 112 and 115. Notably, farmers’ inflation expectations for the upcoming year were markedly lower than those reported a year ago for 2023. This month’s Ag Economy Barometer survey was conducted from Dec. 4-8.

Farmers reported another improvement in their farms’ financial performance during the month of December. The Farm Financial Performance Index saw a 2-point increase compared to the previous month, marking a continued positive trend. Since late summer, the index has climbed 11 points, and at year-end, it was 21 points above the low point for 2023, which occurred in May.

“The shift in farmers’ perception of financial performance during the fall quarter corresponds with USDA’s (U.S. Department of Agriculture’s) more optimistic 2023 farm income outlook released in late November, which was $10 billion higher than their previous forecast,” said James Mintert, the barometer’s principal investigator and director of Purdue University’s Center for Commercial Agriculture.

READ MORE

SOURCE: PURDUE UNIVERSITY

Acres, the data-driven land research platform designed by the team at AcreTrader to modernize the rural land buying experience, makes information-rich land data accessible via the small screen with the debut of Acres+ for Android and Apple. The Acres+ app puts land insights and rural property data directly in the hands of buyers and sellers nationwide.

In just a few taps, Acres+ empowers individuals to rapidly access rich, interactive insights that span well beyond the visible landscape to evaluate potential risks, check property lines, and find out who owns neighboring properties in real-time.

With the ability to easily save and share properties, Acres+ helps buyers ask smart questions and avoid hidden risks when looking for a property that fits their budget and goals.

The Acres+ app is available in the Apple and Android app stores. This subscription includes access to historical satellite imagery, flood zone data, elevation, property tax data, soil reports, listings, and additional insights, with more planned data and features to roll out in the future.

Agricultural producers’ sentiment increased for the second consecutive month, as the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer index rose 5 points to a reading of 115, a 12% increase compared to the previous year. The sentiment growth is largely attributed to farmers’ improved perceptions of their farms’ financial conditions and prospects. This month’s Ag Economy Barometer survey was conducted from Nov. 13-17.

The Index of Current Conditions rose 12 points to 113 while the Index of Future Expectations improved by 2 points to 116. The Farm Financial Performance Index also rose in November to a reading of 95, which is up 3 points from October. The financial index reached its low point back in the spring. The November reading was 25% higher than in May and 10% higher than at the start of fall harvest in September.

“Farmers’ expectations regarding financial performance have improved, with fewer producers’ expecting worse performance than a year ago,” said James Mintert, the barometer’s principal investigator and director of Purdue University’s Center for Commercial Agriculture.

READ MORE

SOURCE: PURDUE UNIVERSITY

Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) introduced bipartisan legislation on November 14 to help farmers fight through trade barriers and sell more fruits, vegetables and other specialty crops in foreign markets. The bill is cosponsored by Sens. Angus King (I-Maine), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), and Susan Collins (R-Maine). On the other side of Capitol Hill, Reps. Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.), David Valadao (R-Calif.), and Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) introduced the House companion legislation.

According to the sponsors, the Specialty Crops Reporting on Opportunities and Promotion Act (Specialty CROP Act) responds to continued high tariffs, burdensome labeling requirements and other trade barriers that restrict U.S. products from accessing foreign markets, threatening rural communities and agricultural producers who depend on customers overseas.

The legislation will help farmers by making key improvements to the annual U.S. Specialty Crops Trade Issues Report, in order to more effectively identify and combat unreasonable trade barriers, including to:

• Explicitly require participation and engagement from the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR);
• Highlight specific trade barriers that limit the export competitiveness of specialty crops in specific markets, including tariff and non-tariff barriers;
• Include an assessment of whether each trade barrier is subject to a U.S. FTA or international agreement;
• Include specific information with respect to actions taken, or expected to be taken, by the U.S. government to address or resolve each trade barrier;
• Require a request for comment from both the public and the Agricultural Trade Advisory Committee (ATAC) for Trade in Fruits and Vegetables;
• Require the report to be made public, while allowing for a classified annex in order to protect U.S. national security and economic strategy; and,
• Continue to define “specialty crop” as “fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture.”

SOURCE: NATIONAL POTATO COUNCIL (NPC)

Bayer has partnered with Dollar General to help increase the access that families have to fresh fruits and vegetables. The program provides students in K-12 school districts around the country with coupons for fresh produce, redeemable at local Dollar General stores that now offer fresh fruit and vegetables.

Through the program, Bayer hopes to promote the importance of fresh produce in overall nutrition and health, while also helping growers maintain and build markets for their products.

READ MORE

Three major businesses and organizations have signed on as sponsor partners for a benchmarking study into the use of agricultural biologicals by farmers and growers. The study: “Biologicals: Specialty Crop Growers’ Perceptions, Values, and Potential,” is set to provide a robust depth of understanding around grower-centric sentiments about the use, benefits and future for biological inputs when applied to specialty crops such as fruits, vegetables, leafy greens, stone fruits and nuts.

This comprehensive market research project is centered on the perspectives and needs of farmers, and it has now garnered the robust support of major agribusiness leaders, complementing existing participation from industry associations and biological service providers.

Cam Camfield, Founder and CEO of Stratovation Group, said the initial collaboration of sponsors includes Redox Bio-Nutrients, Certis Biologicals, and BPIA (the Biological Products Industry Alliance). The study also will be undertaken with support and ongoing strategic counsel from renowned biologicals specialist Dr. Pam Marrone.

For those interested in participating, visit StratovationGroup.com/biologicals to connect with Cam Camfield (Cam@StratovationGroup.com).

AgAmerica’s Like a Farmer podcast partners with Ross Chastain to amplify the voices of Rural America and give back to the community that keeps us fed with 2024 NASCAR season tickets.

Like a Farmer, a podcast and video series that spotlights and celebrates Rural America, recently announced the launch of the Ag to Asphalt campaign in partnership with NASCAR Cup Series driver Ross Chastain.

In a country where farming represents a mere two percent of the population, with 98 percent of these operations being family-owned and operated, the Ag to Asphalt campaign is on a mission to narrow the gap between consumers and farmers. This endeavor aims to honor and assist these essential family-run farms by treating them to the excitement of the racetrack and celebrating all that they do to sustain this nation by sharing their stories across social media.

Ross Chastain, an eighth-generation watermelon farmer, also knows the sacrifice it takes to keep a multigenerational farm operation going while keeping up with the pressures of the industry. In the upcoming episode of “Like a Farmer” on October 26, Ross shares why returning to the farm and using his platform to highlight farmers holds deep personal importance.

Joining Like a Farmer and Ross Chastain are Trackhouse Racing partners Kubota Tractor Corporation as well as Bayer Seminis, all of which are part of the fabric of the agriculture community. The support of this campaign further illustrates the importance of farmers and the larger agricultural industry across the country.

How To Register:
Spots are limited. All farmers are encouraged to sign up for a chance to be selected for the opportunity to attend a 2024 NASCAR Cup Series race and be featured in the Ag to Asphalt campaign. To participate, complete the form on www.agtoasphalt.com by November 30, 2023.