A look at how farmers are using cover crops. That’s coming up on This land of Ours. A new USDA survey says cover crops are more popular than first thought. Growers who responded to the survey say they’re using cover crops on 40 percent of their cropland in 2022. Successful Farming says that hints at a sizable increase from the …
Genetically Engineered Crop Acreage Grows
A look at genetically engineered crops. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. USDA’s Economic Research Service says genetically engineered seeds were commercially introduced in the U.S. for major field crops in 1996, and adoption rates increased rapidly. By 2008, more than 50 percent of U.S. corn, cotton, and soybean acres were planted with genetically engineered seeds. The total …
Mississippi River Water Levels Remain at Near-Record Low
Low water levels continue to lead to shipping problems. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Mississippi River has 27 U.S. Geological Survey streamflow gages reporting levels below the low water threshold category as of Thursday. A new record-low level was reported in Memphis, Tennessee, beating the previous record set in 1988. The low water levels are a …
Pumpkin Season in Full Swing
It’s pumpkin season around the nation, and they’re as popular as ever. That’s coming up on This Land of ours. It seems pumpkins are everywhere this time of year and most of those pumpkins make quite the trip to get to those stores, patches, and porches. The USDA’s Economic Research Service says about 40 percent of pumpkin acres are harvested …
Report Shows Rise in Plant-Based Meat Market, Some Health Concerns
A new report shows a rise in the plant-based meat market. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Allied Market Research published a report on the plant-based meat market that found the rise in the vegetarian population & flexitarian diet and the ability of plant-based meat products to imitate animal-based meat products drive the growth of the global plant-based meat market. …
New Report Shows Decade of Trends in School Meals
Tracking ten years of changes to produce in school lunches. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. One USDA department tracked changes in school lunches for the last ten years and found that a 2012 change in school meal nutrition standards drove changes in the type of foods schools purchased. USDA’s Economic Research Service found that following the change …
New Zealand Plans to Tax Cow Methane
New Zealand is the Latest Country to Tax Cow Burps. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. New Zealand farmers recently gathered in towns and cities across the country to protest against the government’s plan to tax “agricultural emissions.” Reuters says the government confirmed plans to price agricultural gases and biogenic methane, which it says come from cow and …
Microwavable Food More Popular
Easy prep meals return to the spotlight. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. A new market report shows consumers are using more microwavable meals these days. The analysis shows a year-over-year growth of nearly five percent for 2021 with 33 percent of that growth coming from North America. In terms of money, the microwavable foods market share is expected …
New Study on Health Benefits of Pistachios
Another study supports the antioxidant benefits of a particular food. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Antioxidant-rich foods are regularly encouraged as part of a healthy lifestyle, and research suggests that a diet high in antioxidants may even help to reduce the risk of death. While certain fruits and vegetables are often thought of as high-antioxidant foods, a …
Hurricane Ian’s Impact on Honey Bees
Bees are vital to agriculture, and a recent major weather event had an impact on colonies. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Hurricane Ian was devastating in many ways, including the loss of human life and destruction, and now we’re learning more about its effect on honey bees. According to a report by the University of Florida, it’s not …