THOUGHT PIECES

Brent Lawson, AFM, Root Agricultural Advisory, Boise, ID has been awarded the Accredited Farm Manager (AFM) designation from the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers® (ASFMRA®).

DENVER (AP) — On Colorado’s northeastern plains, where the pencil-straight horizon divides golden fields and blue sky, a farmer named Danny Wood scrambles to plant and harvest proso millet, dryland corn and winter wheat in short, seasonal windows. That is until his high-tech Steiger 370 tractor conks out. The tractor’s manufacturer doesn’t allow Wood to… 11 states consider ‘right to repair’ for farming equipment

IDAHO FALLS – The outcome of an irrigation lawsuit could determine whether hundreds of Idaho farmers continue to have access to the state’s water supply. The dispute, which revolves around distribution of water in the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer, is between participating members of the Surface Water Coalition in Magic Valley and Idaho Ground Water… Irrigators fear water will be cut off in eastern Idaho amid looming legal battle

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Armchair farming may not be here yet, but it’s getting closer. “Autonomy in agriculture isn’t as far away as you think,” says Kent Shannon, University of Missouri Extension agricultural engineering specialist. Agriculture is rapidly shifting to technology that can increase land efficiency, reduce labor shortages and streamline food production, says Shannon. Imagine… Armchair farming edges closer as industry shifts to autonomous technology

Much attention has been given to how to increase fruit and vegetable consumption. It’s not a new problem but a recurring issue, despite the efforts of many. Produce prescriptions Considered a matter of national urgency, the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health was held in September to create a framework for ending hunger… Looking Ahead to 2023: Increasing consumption

Following last month’s move by Washington state officials urging the Biden administration to help remove or reduce tariffs on American apples imported to India–how are Washington apple growers and shippers feeling about it? “I applaud the effort. However, it is most likely too late to make a major or immediate impact in the volume shipping… Industry reacts to Washington asking to remove tariffs on apples to India