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On the Ground with the Farmers Producing Antibiotic-Free Meat

Modern Farmer

Nearly four decades ago, Ron Mardesen and his wife Denise stopped using antibiotics on their hog farm, A-Frame Acres, in Elliot, Iowa. As the owner of a multi-generational farm, Mardesen has seen industrial agriculture and factory farming take increasing control over meat production in the last few decades.

Cattle 122
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Opinion: To Find the Future of Food, We Need to Look to the Past

Modern Farmer

Edible insects are already being used to feed poultry and farmed fish, but they could also be included in the feed of cattle and pigs. The entirely automated operation used the waste from breweries to feed the bugs; the black soldier flies can be used to boost the protein content in feed for cattle, poultry, pigs, and farmed fish.

Food 134
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The Iowa Trout Stream at the Center of a Feedlot Fight

Civil Eats

His curiosity eventually landed Stone a tour of the project: Walz Energy, a joint venture between a cattle-feeding operation and an energy company. Although the state is known for hog production— hogs outnumber people 7:1 —the number of cattle in Iowa feedlots is increasing, too. Stone recalled recently. population.

Manure 143
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Across Farm Country, Fertilizer Pollution Impacts Not Just Health, but Water Costs, Too

Civil Eats

When Jeff Broberg and his wife, Erica, moved to their 170-acre bean and grain farm in Winona, Minnesota in 1986, their well water measured at 8.6 These nitrogen-based compounds, common in agricultural runoff, are linked to multiple cancers and health issues for those exposed. ppm for nitrates. coli poisoning in their water. “I

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‘An Insane Amount of Water’: What Climate Change Means For California’s Biggest Dairy District

Modern Farmer

After a winter of record snow in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, a sudden warm spell melted the lower reaches, unleashing nearly 40,000 acre-feet of water —a volume equal to more than a tenth of Las Vegas’ annual supply—in 48 hours. His 580-acre farm grows enough forage to supply the herd, so “I’m good with where I’m at,” he adds.

Farming 79
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Summer reading 2024: Our recommended food and farming reads

Sustainable Food Trust

The couple have established a thriving low-input vegetable-growing business, supported by a small number of cattle and pigs that fertilise the land and provide the family with home-reared meat. One of these, a Longhorn Limousin cross, who would later come to be known as Bullock 374, was purchased by Robinson.

Food 98
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An Iowa Fertilizer Plant Purchase Spurs Antitrust Concerns

Civil Eats

When farmer Joshua Manske heard about the acquisition of an Iowa fertilizer plant by Koch Industries in December, he saw it as a “microcosm of what’s going on nationally.” Because corn requires nitrogen fertilizer to grow, Manske is concerned that further consolidation of the fertilizer industry will drive his input prices up more.