Feeling a little bit damp and cool? Is there a chill running through your bones? Young corn plants trying to grow in many parts of the Corn Belt feel the same way right now. Delving more deeply into why the first crop condition report issued by USDA shows only 74 percent of the crop in good or excellent condition, one …
Reflections on the Earth
By Nick Goeser, Ph.D. As we wind down this week’s celebrations of Earth Day, my mind focuses on the pressing issues facing our planet. Global population growth, food security, water quantity and quality, air quality, increasing numbers of extreme weather events – and the list can go on. Looking across the list, a common thread emerges in an area of …
Monday’s Maize Mutant
Brought to you by the National Corn Growers Association and the Maize Genetics and Genomics Database One thing we have learned from the National Corn Yield Contest is that plant populations are increasing. But as plant populations increase, how do we keep plants from crowding or shading each other? The answer is to change the plant’s architecture, specifically the angle …
If Farming Were Easy…
This little saying was in this week’s newsletter from Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN) - “If farming were easy Congressmen would do it.” Truly, if farming were easy, everyone would do it - and most of us either can’t or don’t want to. The same could be said for many professions, but most of them don’t have everyone from the president …
Putting Agriculture in the Political Spotlight
Nine potential Republican presidential candidates were asked their opinions on various agricultural issues at the Iowa Ag Summit in Des Moines on Saturday. Comments made by at the event by former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, former New York Gov. George Pataki, …
How Do I Love Soil? Let Me Count the Ways
By Nick Goeser As Valentine’s Day approaches in this International Year of Soils, I found it fitting to stream a little Elizabeth Barrett Browning and think about how we show our love for soil. Two of the best ways we can show our love for soil are to appreciate the important role it plays in our lives and to think …
Pope Francis Considers Farming a Vocation
“There is no humanity without the cultivation of the land; there is no good life without the food it produces for the men and women of every continent.” Pope Francis, 1/31/15 With the patron saint of all things of nature as his namesake, Pope Francis has serious views about protecting the environment, but he believes that agriculture plays a “central …
Corny Christmas Greeting
Have yourself a corny little Christmas, May your price be right From now on, Gas prices won’t be out of sight Have yourself a corny little Christmas, That’s what we can say, From now on, The weather will be good, we pray. Remember back in the olden years Fruitful golden ears of corn. All our friends get John Deere for …
Vote for Your Favorite Corn Photo
The midterm elections are over but here’s a chance to exercise your right to vote for something fun and beautiful. There’s a wide variety of candidates and each has something special to offer. Whether you support beauty, family, growth, challenges, or life - pick a category and cast your vote in the Fields-of-Corn Photo Contest. Over 400 high-resolution photos of …
Indian Corn Adds Color to the Fall
Colorful corn can be seen decorating doors and table tops during the fall season, but how much do you really know about the corn that is known variously as Indian, flint, ornamental, or even calico? According to Wikipedia, flint corn has less soft starch than dent corn and does not have the dents in the kernels. Flint corn is one …