Solar and Crop Production Research Shows ‘Multi-Solving’ Climate Benefits

By Pam Knox

Here’s a story from back in December that discusses the advantages of combining solar farms with agriculture, which could include either crops or livestock, to produce multiple benefits, including shading and cooler temperatures for the livestock and cooler soils for the crops. Even though there is some shading, there is still plenty of light for the crops to grow, and the cooler temperatures help reduce the evaporation. This preserves soil moisture needed for the crops.  

Higher diesel and fertilizer prices are squeezing farm profit margins ahead of the midterm elections. Farmers in Iowa and Kansas discuss rising harvest costs, the war in Iran and whether those pressures will change their votes.