October 12 is National Farmer’s Day

Oct 12, 2016

Social media buzzing with gratitude

By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content
Farms.com

October 12 is recognized as National Farmer’s Day, and people are taking time to thank farmers for their hard work in producing the food enjoyed around the world.

According to the 2011 Canadian Census of Agriculture:

There were 205,730 farms in Canada.
Most farm operators worked more than 40 hours per week.
Gross farm receipts accounted for C$51.1 billion in 2010.
With 19.4 million acres, canola replaced spring wheat as Canada’s number one field crop.
Between 2006 and 2011, the average size of a Canadian farm grew from 728 to 778 acres.

According to the 2012 American Census of Agriculture:

There were 2,109,303 farms in the United States.
The average size of a farm was 434 acres.
There was 914,527,657 acres of farmland.
Farms averaged US$187,097 in total sales.
The average market value of all machinery and equipment on farms was US$115,706.

Video: Dr. Emerson Nafziger: Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates for Corn

The Crop Science Podcast Show, Dr. Emerson Nafziger from the University of Illinois breaks down decades of nitrogen research. From the evolution of N rate guidelines to how soil health and hybrid genetics influence nitrogen use efficiency, this conversation unpacks the science behind smarter fertilization. Improving how we set nitrogen fertilizer rates for rainfed corn is a key focus. Discover why the MRTN model matters more than ever, and how shifting mindsets and better data can boost yields and environmental outcomes. Tune in now on all major platforms!

"The nitrogen that comes from soil mineralization is the first nitrogen the plant sees, and its role is underestimated."

Meet the guest:

Dr. Emerson Nafziger is Professor Emeritus of Crop Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, with degrees in agronomy from Ohio State, Purdue, and Illinois. His research has focused on nitrogen rate strategies and crop productivity. He co-developed the Maximum Return to Nitrogen (MRTN) model, which is widely used across the Midwest. His research spans N response trials, hybrid interactions, crop rotation effects, and yield stability.