New county-level data shows U.S. irrigated farmland grew by more than 3 million acres between 1997 and 2022—but the national number hides a much more interesting story playing out county by county.
Soils that are exposed to prolonged drought often develop desiccation cracks, which impact soil properties and exacerbate moisture loss through evapotranspiration. A new study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign examines the evolution of soil cracking and how cracks interact wit…
The Irrigation Water Management Lab at the West Central Research, Extension and Education Center is helping western Nebraska farmers make more informed irrigation decisions through on-farm testing of emerging technology.
Beef cattle experts discuss how genetics, health and management decisions shape a heifer's lifetime productivity
“The goal is to develop an alternative way to produce competitive sterile males without the cost and liabilities of gamma irradiation.”
An Iowa State University team from animal science and veterinary diagnostic production animal medicine is starting a two-year research project on late-term feedlot death loss, thanks to a grant funded by the Iowa State Beef Checkoff.
It’s time to scout for summer pests in South Dakota crops.
With the transition to warm spring weather, protecting the quality of stored grain is essential. Keeping grain consistently within safe storage temperature and moisture parameters is key to preventing spoilage and protecting the value of farmers’ crops.
One of the realities of beef production in the Midwest is dealing with significant fly populations. The Oklahoma beef cattle industry loses millions of dollars each year due to external parasites. Blood loss, irritation and annoyance lead to reduced levels of performance due to flies. Horn f…
Imagine buying a dozen eggs at a grocery store, but when you get home and open the carton, there’s only a half dozen inside because you weren’t buying a dozen eggs. You were buying approximately 12 eggs, plus or minus six.
Researchers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service are helping poultry farmers protect their flocks and their employees, while improving poultry production. USDA Agricultural Research Service researchers recently developed an indoor air scrubber that purifies…
On cold spring mornings in the Nebraska Sandhills, calving season can test even the most experienced ranchers.
Beef demand remains strong, but consumers expect great eating quality, convenient buying options, clear nutritional value, and reassurance about animal care.
Most spray solutions are more than 95 percent water, yet water quality is rarely considered when herbicide performance comes up short. The pH of that water and the minerals dissolved in it can directly influence how well an herbicide works once it is sprayed. Certain dissolved cations, such …
Bull sales are prevalent this time of year, and current sale averages are setting records. Taking care of that bull investment from the time of purchase until he is turned in on pasture for the breeding season is critical. Forage plays an important role in that transition period.
What do producers do when their own crops strike back?
Pollinators play a critical role in food production. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farmers.gov website, more than 80 percent of the world’s flowering plants need a pollinator to reproduce. Because most food comes from flowering plants, humans need pollinators too. Pollina…
Developing high-yielding, nutritious and climate-resilient crops is vital to safeguard the future of global food production. To meet the challenges ahead, Iowa State University scientists are working with crop breeders to look for approaches that can efficiently speed up crop improvement programs.
Cattle experts discuss liver flukes and the importance of being prepared for the worst.
In 2025, the effect of commercial fungicides on foliar diseases of corn were evaluated at six Iowa State University Research and Demonstration Farms.
Planting winter wheat on ground in Bureau County represented a notable departure from the long-standing corn-soybean rotation that has traditionally defined much of north-central Illinois agriculture. Incorporating wheat into that system was not something that was initially expected to be wi…
The frozen ground cracks. Snow melts. And farmers across the Midwest walk their fields with a familiar knot in their stomachs, wondering if their alfalfa survived another brutal winter.
When grazing cornstalks, we want to use about 15% of the residue. This 15% includes any remaining corn and 50% of the husk and leaf.
While several factors can play into a herd’s reproductive success, management is usually the key.
OMAHA, Neb. – The U.S. agricultural land market is shifting after years of steady growth. Although land values are still high historically, current signs indicate a more complex situation driven by local and regional factors rather than nationwide trends.
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