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USDA to survey soybean producers

USDA to survey soybean producers

More than 4,000 farmers will be asked about fertilizer and pesticide application

By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com

Some American soybean producers can expect to hear from the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) next month.

USDA staff will begin contacting more than 4,000 soybean farmers in October to collect information for the Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS).

The survey, which the USDA conducts three times per year, “collects production practices and cost of production data on selected commodities.”

Officials will use the data to create a report that gives a clear picture of some farm input costs.

“The information gathered will give producers the opportunity to explain how they use agricultural chemicals and manage pests responsibly,” Greg Bussler, state agriculture statistician for Wisconsin, said in a statement. “The results will also help agricultural leaders and decision-makers better understand how producers cope with risks and make decisions about chemical use, new technologies and other aspects of farming.”

In addition to Wisconsin, farmers in Iowa, Illinois and other soybean-producing states can expect to be contacted by the USDA.

The collected data also helps lawmakers and industry groups understand what contributes to increasing input costs.

U.S. farmers, for example, spent $15.5 billion on crop protection products in 2019 and have spent at least $15 billion every year since 2016, the USDA reports. In 2015, producers spent $14.6 billion on crop protection goods.

The October survey is the second ARMS of the year. The first took place between May and July. The third survey is scheduled to take place between February and April 2021.

Farms.com has reached out to industry groups for comment.


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The FCDC and AgSmart Bring Plant Breeding to a Wider Audience

Video: The FCDC and AgSmart Bring Plant Breeding to a Wider Audience

In the vast prairies of Alberta, Olds College’s Field Crop Development Centre (FCDC) stands as a beacon of innovation and research in the agricultural world. The institution has become a key player in advancing agricultural technologies and practices. The FCDC’s commitment to applied research has driven them to seek effective means of disseminating their findings and creating a positive impact on the farming community.

One such avenue that aligns with their mission is AgSmart, an event dedicated to showcasing cutting-edge agricultural technologies. The coming together of the FCDC’s annual Field Day and Ag Smart has proved to be a natural fit, fostering a synergy that benefits both parties and propels the agriculture industry forward. The FCDC Field Day took part in conjunction with AgSmart for the first time this week on Aug. 1-2 in Olds, Alta. FCDC Program Director Kofi Agblor and Olds College VP of Development Todd Ormann sat down for an interview with Marc Zienkiewicz to discuss the significance of the two events taking part together and what the future holds.

The Intersection of Research and Technology The essence of the FCDC lies in its dedication to plant breeding and new seed varieties, particularly barley and triticale. While conducting research is essential, it becomes meaningful when its benefits are shared with the wider community. This is where AgSmart steps in, providing a key venue for the FCDC to showcase their research. This union between research and technology creates a holistic and enriching experience for farmers, ranchers, and industry professionals, the pair said.

Seeds as Technology For the FCDC, the partnership with AgSmart goes beyond mere event collaboration. It is about creating an environment that bridges the gap between seeds and smart technology, Ormann said. The college believes that for technology to truly revolutionize agriculture, it must begin with a strong foundation — high-quality seeds. As the saying goes, “it all starts with a seed.” To demonstrate this critical aspect, the collaboration aims to showcase the seed value chain as an integral part of the smartphone.

The Birth of a Powerful Alliance The idea of joining forces emerged when staff realized the potential synergy between AgSmart and the FCDC Field Day. With just a few days separating the two events, a proposal was put forward to merge them. The marketing and communications teams from both sides worked seamlessly to ensure the essence of both events remained intact, creating a powerful alliance that leverages the strengths of each, Agblor said.

Driving Advancements in Breeding For Agblor, the partnership with AgSmart has tremendous potential to drive advancements in breeding and other technology. With technologies like drones and imaging becoming integral to phenotyping, breeding is no longer confined to vast fields to assess thousands of plants manually. Instead, it benefits from the data-rich insights brought about by smart technologies. These advancements make breeding more efficient, precise, and instrumental in shaping the future of agriculture.

Overcoming Challenges Together While the partnership between Olds College and Ag Smart has been a resounding success, there are challenges on the horizon. Securing stable funding for long-term breeding initiatives is crucial to sustain progress. The college is committed to navigating these challenges and investing in agriculture’s future sustainably, Agblor said.

 

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