Agriculture

Agriculture

Liberal use of antimicrobial drugs on farms - including those that produce fruit rather than meat - can result in pathogens becoming impervious to these essential medications. These drug-resistant organisms can cause infections in farm workers that are difficult to treat and can spread to other people. This situation has raised concerns among workers' rights groups and scientists studying the rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Up to 50,000 seasonal workers migrate to the remote Little Rann of Kutch region for about eight months, living on the salt flats without electricity, healthcare or permanent shelter. A tanker delivers water for drinking and washing only once every 25 days. Summer temperatures there routinely exceed 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit) and can climb to 47-48C (117-118F).

A farmer in west Mayo who has had 14 sheep stolen from him has said that livestock thefts are being underreported for fear of being penalised by the Department of Agriculture.

Spring seeding is underway, and as farmers spend long hours in the tractor planting crops, they're facing hefty increases to the cost of diesel and fertilizer. They're also already concerned about the 2027 crop year, since many will be making large fuel and fertilizer purchases in the months ahead. Fighting in the Middle East has sent commodity prices soaring. As the conflict stretches into its third month, nitrogen-fertilizer prices remain sky-high, while the cost of diesel fuel for tractors and other farm machinery continues to cut into the profits farmers hope to make on their summer crops.

I've got Matt Makins on to talk spring weather and into summer. Peter Weepy Johnson is going to talk about weed control and of course that all important chill injury. Should we be worried about the corn and bee seeds that went in? We've also got Lara Razuli with FMC joining me for our product Spotlight. All of that and more coming up right on reelag radio on rural radio channel 147, SiriusXM or of course, wherever you get your audio.

Cool to cold soil may delay emergence, it's true, however true chill injury from imbibing cold water after planting is only a risk in the first 12 to 24 hours, Johnson says.

Simply tear the aluminum foil into strips and hang them around your vegetable patch. You can tie them to fences, trellises, plant supports, or even wrap them loosely around the stems of your crops. You can even attach the foil to stakes positioned around particularly vulnerable plants. Alternatively, roll the foil into small balls and use string to hang them near your veggies.

Three consecutive seasons of failed rains have doubled Somalia's malnutrition rate. Maryam, 46, is among more than 300,000 Somalis forced to leave their homes since January alone. Several international organisations have stopped operations in the Kismayo camp for internally displaced people (IDPs), largely due to aid cuts ordered by United States President Donald Trump last year.

Like the trucking industry, agriculture relies heavily on diesel to run machinery, as diesel-powered engines are more fuel efficient than gasoline-powered ones. Worst of all, the price increase is taking place during the spring planting season. These rising costs are hitting us at the wrong time here in the north country in New York.

On trailing EPS of $17.73 against a $6.48 dividend, Deere is paying out roughly a third of profits. Cash flow confirms the same picture: in FY2025 the company generated $7.459 billion in operating cash flow and paid $1.720 billion in common dividends, leaving plenty of cushion.

Rising commodity prices caused by these shocks will increase inflation and dampen growth worldwide. The projection indicates that 70% of commodity importers and more than 60% of commodity exporters worldwide could see weaker growth than was projected in January.

Calhoun emphasizes the importance of on-farm testing, stating that with hundreds of companies investing in biologicals, not every product will deliver the same results across all environments.

In high heat, plants get stressed and pollen within the tomato flowers doesn't dislodge. So, instead of setting fruit, the plant drops its flowers.

Tomatoes are considered heavy feeders, which means that they require a steady, consistent supply of nutrients from the start. Choosing the right type of fertilizer for each stage of growth can maximize fruit yield and reduce the risk of problems such as pests, diseases, nutrient deficiencies, and stunted growth.

Transferring ownership of a farm may trigger estate taxes if the property value exceeds certain thresholds, depending on local laws and regulations.

The legislation authorizes several critical USDA telecommunications programs, including the ReConnect Program, that have played a pivotal role in helping community-based providers connect rural residents.