South Dakota had more acres claimed under the prevented planting provisions of crop insurance than any other state in 2019. Now, farmers are finding that where they took care to tend those prevent plant acres they are having an easier time getting their 2020 crops off to a good start.

A new bill would establish USDA-certified protocols for farmers, ranch and forest owners seeking to develop projects that can generate offset credits under existing programs. It would offer a new revenue stream for farmers, ranchers and land owners suffering from the economic impacts of global trade tensions and the coronavirus.

There’s a world of funding available that can help to bring conservation practices onto U.S. farms. But wading through the web of federal, state and private programs can feel like a full-time job of its own. Hosts of the Field Work podcast address how to best navigate the process.

Farm Journal’s Trust In Food initiative and The Sustainability Consortium partnered in early 2020 to undertake a first-of-its-kind research program to understand farmers’ perspectives on the collection and sharing of farm-level production and management data. The survey was answered by nearly 400 farmers from more than 40 states.

Recent issues at packing plants have motivated some livestock producers to slaughter their own animals for meat. This practice comes with a set of risks and responsibilities, says Bailey Harsh, assistant professor, University of Illinois Department of Animal Science, Meat Science and Muscle Biology.