Drones are a promising addition to agriculture, with the ability to perform jobs that are otherwise impossible or very expensive. However, they are also a technology that is rapidly evolving. While some farmers are using drones, an increasing number of companies offer drone services to farmers. In general, there are two types of drones, categorized by the task they perform: smaller, less expensive drones for mapping; and larger, more expensive drones for applying materials (pesticides, cover crop seed, etc.).

Published November 10th, 2023

Like an 8-year old child eagerly anticipating halloween and the ridiculous, gut-busting candy consumption that would make a diabetic faint, so farmers around the Midwest look forward to the Midwest Mechanical Weed Control Field Day, which comes but once a year and features field demonstrations of weeding tools for row crops and vegetables. This year’s field day was in Wooster, Ohio at the end of September. Two hundred farmers and machinery dealers gathered from all over the Midwest and as far as Canada.

Part 3 of 3

Published July 26, 2023

Crop insurance is typically discussed in more of a rules and regulations format. Today, I am going to give you the inside scoop on what the life of a crop insurance agent is like. The highlights, the dirt, the ‘what could have been’ moments. You are in for it all!

Part 2 of 3

Published May 26, 2023

Crop insurance is the most widely talked about risk management tool in the agricultural industry. However, it often focuses on corn and soybean farmers. Where does that leave the fruit, vegetable, and specialty growers? Are there any true risk management options for them or is diversification enough to withstand any potential weather hardships?

Part 1 of 3

Published May 26, 2023

Crop insurance is an area that OATS has focused on in recent months. We have learned that the system is an evolving safetynet for organic farmers. Organic crop insurance specialist Megan Vaith has authored a three part series sharing her perspective on the federal crop insurance program.

Published March 12, 2022

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced on February 7th that the USDA will invest $1 billion to, “support America’s climate-smart farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners.” Certified organic farming is an all-encompassing solution to reverse agriculture’s effects on climate change, but was not mentioned as a climate-smart farming solution. Not only does organic farming sink carbon, but it also brings new farmers to the land, and makes existing farm businesses viable again.