Senate Ag Chair Debbie Stabenow finally released the full text of the Senate farm bill on Monday, but it’s already drawing intense criticism. Even usually optimistic House Ag Chair GT Thompson signaled it’s time to focus on a 2018 farm bill extension by year’s end.

Production of hay and forage machinery will come to a halt in Ottumwa for a month, plus new planting equipment and a big grain cart will hit the fields soon.

Herbidcide resistance isn’t going away, but researchers are still looking for ways to slow down the phenomenon. Based on new research, Vipan Kumar with Cornell has documented a synergistic effect for greater control of kochia resistant to multiple herbicide classes.

Battery disconnect switches, aka “kill switches,” discourage machinery theft and reduce problems with batteries being drawn down during storage. There are two approaches to installing a battery disconnect. Electrical experts say either way is valid, and point out advantages/disadvantages to each approach.