Going green in California Monday, January 2, 2012 California is the first American state to try to regulate greenhouse gas emissions and the nation is watching. California's dairy operators have a chance to make money and get an exemption from greenhouse gas emission limits by limiting the amount of methane they produce. Trouble is, they likely can't afford to do it. A system to capture methane costs about US$8 million, according to The Fresno Bee. Fewer than 20 of 1,600 large dairy operations have such systems. They capture biogas and turn it into electricity or use the gas to run converted tractors. One farmer who built such a system in 2005 says it would cost five times as much now. The major expense, ironically, is from environmental regulations. The only way that it would be economical is to legislate that utilities buy biogas-derived power from farm digesters at a fixed rate. Doesn't that sound like a page out of Ontario's Green Energy Act? BF More recession fallout for Pilgrim's Pride Don't try to feed the world
Inside the Collapse of Monette Farms and What It Signals for Big Agriculture Thursday, April 30, 2026 The restructuring of Monette Farms is raising hard questions about how large is too large in modern agriculture—and whether today’s risk tools are keeping up. (Read the article: Monette Farms Seeks Court Protection as Mega-Farm Restructures Amid Financial Pressures) For years, Monette... Read this article online
Soybean Cyst Nematode Is in almost every soybean producing state and province Wednesday, April 29, 2026 Understanding Detection, Prevention, and Management of Soybeans’ Most Costly Pest Soybean cyst nematode (SCN), , remains the most damaging pathogen affecting soybeans in North America, costing U.S. farmers more than one billion dollars in lost yield annually. Updated national surveys... Read this article online
Farmland Rents Lag Land Values Wednesday, April 29, 2026 Farm Credit Canada (FCC) has released a new economic analysis highlighting a growing gap between farmland values and rental rates across the country, a trend that will likelyreshapeexpansion decisions for Canadian producers. According to the analysis, Canada’s average farmland... Read this article online
Ontario Funds for New Grain Innovation Projects Wednesday, April 29, 2026 Grain Farmers of Ontario has announced the successful applicants for its 2026 Grains Innovation Fund. The fund supports projects that increase the use, value, and demand for grains grown across Ontario. These efforts help build stronger domestic markets while encouraging innovation in... Read this article online
Drone Seeding Offers Hope for Ontario Wheat Farmers Wednesday, April 29, 2026 Farmers in parts of Ontario often struggle to plant winter wheat at the right time. The ideal planting period usually comes before soybeans are harvested, which can delay wheat seeding and reduce yields. This timing conflict makes it difficult for farmers tomaintainproper crop rotation and... Read this article online