USDA Research Identifies Moths that Slow the Spread of Invasive Fern

Dan This Land of Ours

Using a moth to slow the spread of an invasive plant. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The invasive Old World Climbing Fern was introduced to Florida’s ecosystem from southeast Asia around 1965. It soon dominated the state’s native vegetation, infesting more than 100,000 acres in a short amount of time. The fern spreads quickly and has destroyed …

Report Reflects Continued Stress on U.S. Honeybee Colonies

Dan Agri-Business, Environment, Pollinators, This Land of Ours

Honeybee losses continue in the U.S. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. A new USDA report on U.S. honeybee colonies shows continued high losses of those colonies. USDA’s Gary Crawford reports. It seems the nation’s honeybee colonies continue to be under siege. The latest USDA report shows the number of colonies is down from a year ago and the …

Fuel Prices Surge as Heat Hits Refinery Output

Dan Biofuels/Energy, This Land of Ours

Gas prices are rising once again. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The nation’s average gasoline price soared 16.5 cents in the last week to $3.72 per gallon, according to GasBuddy. The national average diesel price jumped 15.5 cents last week, reaching $3.99 per gallon. GasBuddy’s Patrick De Haan says, “Prices suddenly soared over the last week due …

Seal of Cotton Turns 50

Dan Cotton, This Land of Ours

A familiar trademark is turning fifty. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Seal of Cotton trademark from Cotton Incorporated is turning 50 this year. It was created back in 1973 to show that a product contained cotton. Within the first year, about 18 percent of Americans could identify the trademark. By the 1980’s that number was up …

Biotechnology Organization Lists Farm Bill Priorities

Dan Agri-Business, Biotechnology, Farm Bill, Legislative, This Land of Ours

Farm Bill priorities for the biotech industry. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) says the next Farm Bill offers opportunities to invest in long-term food security, climate resiliency, and growing the national bio-economy. The group has submitted recommendations to the agriculture committees in both chambers of Congress as they work on writing the …

Cotton Growers Asked to Complete Survey

Dan Cotton, This Land of Ours

There’s a request for information from cotton growers around the U.S. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Cotton Incorporated is asking all U.S. cotton producers to take the 2023 Natural Resource Survey. This survey will guide Cotton Incorporated’s future research priorities and help document U.S. cotton production improvements. The online survey should take 25 to 35 minutes to …

Manure Recycling on the Farm

Dan Beef, Biofuels/Energy, Cattle, Dairy, Environment, Equine, Livestock, Pasture, Pork, Poultry, Sheep-Goats, This Land of Ours

It’s another type of recycling on the farm. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Farmers who utilize manure as a fertilizer mostly get the aromatic livestock byproduct from their own operations. New data from USDA’s Economic Research Service shows most manure applied to U.S. cropland, 78 percent, comes from animals raised on the same operation. Meanwhile, 14 percent …

USDA Investing in Urban Agriculture

Dan Agri-Business, Funding, This Land of Ours

The USDA is investing in urban agriculture. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. USDA announced a series of investments that will increase market access and revenue streams for producers while strengthening the food system. The investments will also give consumers better access to locally-grown foods and healthier choices. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack and Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small …