CropsSorghum scientists from 20 countries meet in Texas as drought splits the US crop
At the Global Sorghum Conference in Lubbock, growers' leaders said new funding and gene editing could speed breeding for drought, heat and water scarcity.
Source
Farm Progress
Reporting from this source, summarised, rewritten or translated and published under its name · 59 stories
Crops
EnvironmentMichigan puts nearly $2 million into research on PFAS in farm soil and water
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is funding five studies on how PFAS gets into fields, which crops take it up and how farmers can test for it cheaply.
LivestockHow an Indiana stocker picks healthy calves at the sale barn
Chad Baker buys freshly weaned or long-weaned calves, favours vaccinated animals, mixes breeds and avoids big frames when feed costs matter.
LivestockRabid heifer in Minnesota sends nine people for post-exposure shots
A Hereford heifer in Brown County, Minnesota, tested positive for rabies on 8 September after its owner and vets treated it without gloves; nine people were advised to get post-exposure prophylaxis and 13 cows were quarantined.
CropsTexas A&M tool helps US growers choose ARC or PLC before 11 December
US farmers must pick Agriculture Risk Coverage or Price Loss Coverage for 2026 by 11 December, and Texas A&M's Agricultural and Food Policy Center has updated its free online decision aid for the new rules.
AgrotechA rancher's AI platform tracks meat costs as Agco pushes farmer-first AI
HarvestPath, built by fourth-generation rancher Carrie Richards, tracks every cost between the pasture and the shelf, while Agco's Adrian Crawford argues farm AI must start from a farmer's real problem.
Agribusiness
Maryland's first new dry-mix fertilizer plant in 15 years triples loading speed
The Mill in White Hall opened a 2,000-ton facility with a computer-run blender, but dealers and analysts warn fertilizer prices are not coming down soon.
AgrotechNebraska farmers fly drones to find broken center pivots without walking the corn
Zoom-camera drones costing about $5,500 let farmers check fuel, flat tyres and broken drive shafts on irrigation pivots from the field edge, though some dealers say setup is still too slow.
Market ManagementCotton nears 90 cents a pound as global stocks fall to lowest since 2011-12
Cotton Incorporated's chief economist says production shortfalls in China, Australia, the US and Turkey, and strong mill demand, have lifted prices after years in the 65-68 cent range.
AgribusinessSeed brand shake-up: Doebler returns as LG and regional Corteva names fold
Pine Creek Seed Farm revives the Doebler name for 2027, Corteva folds its regional brands into Hoegemeyer, and GDM merges LG Seeds into AgriGold and Mustang, changing what US growers will find on seed lists.
EnvironmentUSDA's CEMA 216 pays farmers $520 to $770 to test soil health
A Natural Resources Conservation Service cost-share pays for basic or advanced soil health tests, and a University of Missouri specialist urges farmers to use it and to sample consistently.
Environment
Indiana's swinging weather calls for crop trials, not panic, experts say
Floods, a late-August dry spell and more intense storms marked Indiana's 2026 season; a regional climatologist sees more variability, and a Purdue specialist suggests testing short corn and earlier planting.
LivestockRising feed costs could trigger dairy margin payments this autumn, adviser says
A Land O'Lakes adviser expects Dairy Margin Coverage payouts from September to November as feed costs squeeze milk margins, and urges farmers to layer protection tools on known breakevens.