Diverse Crop Rotations Reduce Risk of Crop Loss Under Poor Growing Conditions

Researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) are responding to the increasingly uncertain climate. The warmer and more unpredictable weather has been a source of instability on U.S. farms. ARS agroecologists turned to history for a solution to this challenge, which inspired them to better understand the benefits of crop rotations.

Growing a sequence of different crops in rotation has been practiced for millennia. Crop rotations can rebuild soil health, fight pests and diseases, and spread-out risk of various pests and crop disease... 

Explosion Affects Operations of House of Raeford’s Biggest Feed Mill

A feed facility in Rose Hill, North Carolina belonging to poultry integrator House of Raeford Farms suffered an explosion earlier this week. Local broadcaster WCTI reported the incident resulted in no injuries.

The plant is now unable to grind corn as a result of the damage to its hammer mills. A spokesperson for the company said that it is too early to say when the hammer mills will be back online, as it is awaiting assessment of the damage by a structural engineer.

In normal times, the facility produces... 

Cargill Surpasses 50 Percent Completion Milestone for Regina Canola Processing Facility

Cargill, a global leader in oilseed processing, today announced it has surpassed the 50 percent completion milestone in the construction of its new canola facility located at the Global Transportation Hub in West Regina, Sask. Cargill broke ground on the facility in July 2022 and anticipates opening in 2025. The new facility will have the capacity to process 1 million metric tons of canola per year, producing crude canola oil for food and biofuel markets and canola meal for animal feed...

ADM Animal Nutrition Further Expands Recall of Feed Products

Archer Daniels Midland's animal feed unit expanded Monday a previously announced recall of products to include 67 new lots.

ADM Animal Nutrition's recall was announced on March 30 and expanded on April 11, and covered chicken, swine and rabbit feed products. The latest expansion includes feed products for horses, lambs, goats, cattle and llamas.

The lots may contain elevated levels of magnesium, sodium, calcium, chloride and/or phosphorus and may harm cattle, chickens, swine, goats, and other animals, the company said. ADM said no illnesses have been reported to date...

Colombian Government Considers $5 Mln Investment in Agricultural Bio-Inputs Plant

The Colombian government is studying a potential USD $5 million investment to construct a public agricultural bio-inputs plant, based on information disclosed by the Ministry of Agriculture to Blu Radio.

This initiative forms part of Colombia's broader strategy to enhance its agricultural infrastructure and comes amidst escalating costs for key agricultural inputs such as urea, which have seen historical price surges due to global market fluctuations influenced by the Ukraine conflict.

The proposed plant aims to develop a range of products essential for local agricultural operations...

Brazilian Feed and Animal Protein Industries Face Disruptions Amid RS Worst Flood in History

Recent catastrophic rainfall across Rio Grande do Sul (RS), has caused what some are referring to as the worst floods in the history of Brazils most southern state. The city of Porto Alegre recorded alarming numbers where in just three days, 260 mm accumulated, equivalent to more than two months of precipitation.

Approximately 534,000 homes and businesses are without electricity, according to the Ministry of Mines and Energy. The National Municipalities Confederation noted financial damages surpassing R$ 559.8 million (Approximately $110 million)​​...