USDA announced funding provided by the Inflation Reduction Act for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) for fiscal year 2025. NRCS accepts applications year-round for ACEP Agricultural Land Easements (ACEP-ALE) and Wetland Reserve Easements (ACEP-WRE). Interested producers, landowners, and partners should apply by the next two ranking dates, Oct. 4, 2024, or Dec. 20, 2024, at their local NRCS office, to be considered for these two state-led funding cycles. In addition, any application submitted to NRCS that was unfunded in fiscal year 2024 will be automatically re-considered during the October 4 funding cycle.
From the stage of the Africa Food Systems Forum in Rwanda, the World Food Prize Foundation announced Dr. Dennis Beesigamukama, a Postdoctoral Fellow at the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) in Nairobi, Kenya, as the 2024 Recipient of the Norman E. Borlaug Award for Field Research and Application, Endowed by The Rockefeller Foundation. The announcement was made by 2021 World Food Prize Laureate Shakuntala Haraksingh Thilsted on behalf of the Foundation.
As the agricultural industry faces increasing demands for efficiency and sustainability, AgroLiquid is intensifying its collaborations with industry leaders to tackle some of the most pressing challenges in crop nutrition. By partnering with experts across various sectors, AgroLiquid is at the forefront of testing and developing innovative solutions that help farmers optimize their fertilizer use while addressing the real-world struggles they encounter in the field.
U.S. sales of 4-wheel-drive tractors increased 4.8 percent in August 2024 compared to the year before according to new data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. U.S. sales also increased 5.2 percent year-to-date. Total U.S. Ag tractor sales decreased 19.4 percent compared to 2023, while combine sales dropped 19.6 percent.
The 2024 Nebraska Water Conference will be held in Lincoln, Nebraska, on October 9 and 10. This year’s conference theme is Collaboration and Innovation in Nebraska Water. The conference will highlight successful collaborations and innovations in Nebraska water and discuss future opportunities in water research and management. Held at the Nebraska Innovation Campus conference center, this two-day event will feature discussions on emerging contaminants, drought preparedness, nutrient management, climate smart practices, nitrate research, water policy, climate water resilience, and modeling. Experts from the state and region will share their work and lead discussions on future opportunities for innovative partnerships.
Kubota Corporation, Osaka, Japan, through its North American subsidiary, Kubota North America Corporation, has acquired Bloomfield Robotics, Inc., a Pittsburgh-based company. Bloomfield provides a service that monitors the health and performance of specialty crops, one plant at a time, using advanced imaging and artificial intelligence (AI) to growers across seven countries and three continents.
The economic importance of hemp is increasing both globally and in the United States. However, because federal laws restricted hemp growth and research until recently, commercial hemp production lacks best practices for cultivation, including effective and safe pest and disease management. The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research`’s (FFAR) Hemp Research Consortium is providing a $210,000 grant to Cornell University to identify biologically derived crop protection products – biopesticides – to control hemp’s major pest and disease threats. BioWorks and the University of Kentucky (UK) are participating in the research, and BioWorks is providing matching funds for a total $420,000 investment.
Reinke Manufacturing, a global leader in irrigation systems and technology, today announced a $12 million investment in the modernization and automation of their manufacturing facilities to produce irrigation systems. Demonstrating its deep commitment to advanced technology, innovation, and excellence, the latest investment includes implementing advanced robotic technologies and expansion projects to increase production capacity and efficiency at its Deshler facility. Reinke is showcasing its new robotic manufacturing systems in addition to its precision irrigation technologies at Husker Harvest Days in Grand Island, NE through September 12, 2024.
Vermeer has forged an alliance with G.T. Bunning & Sons Ltd, a UK-based leader in manure spreader manufacturing. This partnership integrates Bunning spreaders into the comprehensive Vermeer lineup serving North American hay, forage and livestock producers.
Rivulis Pte. Ltd., a global leader in advanced irrigation and climate solutions, today announced the opening of the largest micro irrigation production facility in North America to increase production capacity as the demand for resource-conscious irrigation solutions climbs. The addition of this new site exemplifies Rivulis’ commitment to deliver products and grower support to the expanding market while adhering to quality and sustainability measures across its supply chain.
The 3rd FIRA USA, co organized by GOFAR association, Western Growers and the University of California, will be held October 22-24 in Woodland, CA. The Yolo County Fair in Woodland will host an extended demo area, round tables addressing specific industry needs for automation, autonomous irrigation and perennial crops highlights, and always new robotics solutions to be showcased. Passes for FIRA USA are free of charge for growers.
