Parker Welch, Author at Maryland Farm Bureau

Author: Parker Welch

What are carbon markets in agriculture?

The following information is provided by Nationwide®, the #1 farm and ranch insurer in the U.S.*

There’s a lot of attention on lowering greenhouse gas emissions around the world. Agriculture is poised to take a leadership role in the effort. Here’s what to know about agricultural carbon credit markets and what they mean at the farm level.

Why carbon is so important today

Environmental sustainability is important to today’s food consumers –and it’s important to Nationwide®. The Nationwide Foundation is advancing research, education and outreach solutions to sustainable farming through over $16.8M invested in The Ohio State University — College of Food, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. Nationwide knows environmental sustainability is fundamental to agriculture’s future.

In response to growing consumer demand (i), food companies are creating new sustainability goals for their supply chains. This includes General Mills (ii), Nestle (iii) and McDonald’s (iv). The efforts are shining a spotlight on farm conservation.”There are many reasons companies and organizations are jumping into the development of these markets. A common driver for their development is to foster healthy soils and ecosystems and reduce emissions,” according to American Farm Bureau Federation Economist Shelby Myers (v). “Many of the corporations involved are focusing on the public goodwill they’ll earn as consumers see them as playing a part in improving conservation and biodiversity.”

Carbon credits for farmers

Now, agriculture companies have entered the carbon credit marketplace. The goal is to connect farm-level practices to food companies’ sustainability goals. And, it’s an effort to reduce agriculture’s carbon footprint.

Global agribusinesses like Bayer Cropscience (vi) and startups like Nori (vii) are creating systems to pay farmers to voluntarily integrate carbon-smart practices. According to the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), those include:

•Cover crops
•Crop rotations
•Anaerobic digesters
•Buffer strips
•Tree establishment
•Conservation tillage

“These practices are used to improve soil health, reduce soil erosion, improve water quality and provide other natural resource benefits,” Myers said. “Many contribute to carbon sequestration.”

Farmer payments and other hurdles

Carbon-smart farming practices must offer financial benefit to farmers paying to integrate them into their operations. Food and ag companies are currently working to determine per-acre payment structures for those efforts. It’s a major hurdle to farm-level adoption.

“Growing a crop or raising livestock requires significant cash to cover the associated expenses. Some farms canextend their risk tolerance to participate, while others may not have the resources, financial or otherwise,” she said. “Barriers such as labor availability, education, verification costs and lack of quality broadband can prevent farmers and ranchers from being able to participate in these markets.”

A work in progress

There are a lot of questions to be answered as the carbon credit marketplace develops. Tying farm-level practices to specific value propositions for farmers will be critical to the market’s development. Given the rapid pace of change in the ag carbon marketplace, Myers advises staying informed as it develops.

“It seems like almost every month companies of various sizes across many industries are announcing new sustainability commitments, along with sustainability programs and markets that farmers and ranchers can participate in,” she said. “It’s important to note that these credit markets are constantly evolving, and many are still under development or being refined in pilot stages. There is much more to explore, company-by-company and asset-by-asset, before making any decisions.”

Nationwide is committed to protecting farmers and ranchers as they enter into the new ag carbon marketplace. Our Farm Certified agents will continue to stay on top of the evolving ag sector. We’ll be ready to ensure you can move forward with confidence, knowing your liabilities are covered.

Visit AgInsightCenter.com for more tips and information to help you navigate the changing agricultural landscape, run a successful business and maintain the safety of your farm operation.

MARYLAND FARMER WINS LILJA EDUCATOR GRANT FUNDS

Maryland Farm Bureau’s own Jo-Ann Chason is a recent recipient of the Christy Sue Lilja Resource Grant. Formerly known as White-Reinhardt Resource Grants, educators apply to receive $100 to spend on agriculture literacy books and resources from the AFBFA store.

Chason, former Baltimore County Farm Bureau president and current Maryland Farm Bureau board member for Harford and Cecil counties, teaches in the Highlands School, Bel Air, a school specializing in students with learning differences.

With a horticulture background, she is the “Growing Greater” teacher, touching all the grades, even as a part-time teacher. She said throughout her life she has tried to educate about agriculture, and when this opportunity came along and she was hired, she even got paid for her passion. The Chason farm grows produce, but also has dairy cows and chicken.

Chason marveled about the amount and quality of the materials in the AFBFA store. “They have an unbelievable amount of resources, and the variety is conducive to different styles of teaching. I even purchased some games. They had Maryland Farm Bureau member Chuck Fry’s book, “Tales of the Dairy Godmother: Chuck’s Ice Cream Wish.” It’s so easy to apply, as well, that I encourage others to.”

Chason said she has loved being able to connect the dots for kids, as she likens herself an activist for agriculture. “I think it’s great these funds aren’t meant just for ag educators. You’re sharing about agriculture, but in an organic way. I thank the foundation for doing this for us,” she said.

The grants awarded 51 winners this year. The CSL Foundation was established to carry on late AFBFA director Christy Lilja’s beliefs of helping others in need and to continue to advocate for educating K-12 teachers and students about the importance of agriculture.

Keep Your Rural Roads Safe

KEEP YOUR RURAL ROADS SAFE

The following information is provided by Nationwide, the #1 farm and ranch writer in the U.S.*

Safely navigating large agricultural equipment over rural roads to and from the fields is a challenge for even the best drivers. Nationwide reminds farmers to consider the following rules on the safe operation of equipment to help reduce the risk of motor vehicle collisions.

Basics

Courts uphold agricultural equipment operator rights for road usage, and regulations for size and type usually don’t apply. But still take necessary precautions to prevent serious injury and damage and ensure that your equipment isn’t in violation. You know accidents can happen any time of day, but remember:

Working after dark: Turn on lights, use reflectors or conspicuity tape, display SMV (slow-moving vehicle) sign, consider escort vehicles
Trailer pulling: Don’t rely on power unit lights only; this increases collision risk if lights become obstructed
“Road rules”: Operators must understand driving hazards; regulations include specific training for equipment operation and environment navigation

Left Turns

Operators tend to pull to the right when making wide left turns. Motorists may view this as permission to pass. To prevent accidents:

Use turn signals or hand/arm signals
Check oncoming traffic
Check mirrors and blind spots

Bridges

Before crossing rural bridges:

Ensure appropriate vehicle weight
Allow oncoming traffic to clear the bridge (reduces weight on bridge and provides you space to maneuver)
If tires have large lugs for traction, be cautious of guardrail contact that could inadvertently cause equipment to climb the rail or tip off the bridge

Passing cars

When driving a slow-moving vehicle, never wave a driver to pass. It’s the passing driver’s responsibility to pass – not yours. Also:

Don’t drive on the shoulder; you may sideswipe a passing vehicle if you have to swerve to avoid an oncoming mailbox or obstruction
Drive with the left side of your vehicle to the centerline, even if your equipment extends onto the shoulder; passing drivers should consider safety and the law before passing

Rear-end collisions

Rural road travelers can easily be surprised by a large, slow-moving vehicle — and misjudge their speed and gap distance. To avoid rear-end collisions:

Monitor mirrors for fast-approaching vehicles
Ensure that the vehicle’s warning devices, such as SMV signs, are visible
Consider vehicle escorts on heavily traveled paved roads

For more farm safety tips, contact your local Nationwide farm agent or visit mynsightonline.com.

How to Prevent Combine Fires

How to prevent combine fires

The following information is provided by Nationwide®, the #1 farm and ranch insurer in the U.S.*

Large machinery fires —including those on and in farm combines and harvesters —cause around $20 million in property losses, untold millions in lost productivity and up to 50 serious personal injuries every year. But they can be prevented with attention to the three components of farm combine fire safety.

“Think in terms of how important prevention, detection and suppression all are to keeping your farm operation in business,” said Nationwide Agribusiness Business Development Director Kelly Grummert. “The whole goal of all three components of combine fire safety is to prevent machinery loss, protect the operator and ensure they all go home to their families every night.”

Inspect your combine harvester to minimize fire risk

Attention to fire safety starts well before a farm combine or harvester wheel turns. It starts at the farm shop or wherever a machine is stored year-round. Add the following to your routine post-harvest maintenance inspections to minimize fire risks:

Clean crop residue or engine fluids like fuel or grease around the machine that could easily ignite in the presence of an external heat source.
Clear plant material from bearings, belts and other potentially heat-generating components.
Follow manufacturer’s recommendations for maintenance and lubrication prior to storing your harvester for a long period of time, paying close attention for potential leaks in hoses or fittings.
Make sure your machine is stored away from external heat sources like furnaces or other heating elements that can lead to fire.

Monitor equipment for excessive heat

Fast forward a few months to harvest; once ready to hit the field, that’s when your farm combine or harvester safety should broaden to include fire detection and notification.

Advancing sensor technology available today can monitor heat generated around key components to ensure they’re within operating temperature ranges and aren’t creating enhanced fire risk.

“If it’s getting too hot, it will alert the farmer so he or she can take quick action to prevent that overheating from developing into a fire,” Grummert said. “We’re looking at sensors like these as ways to cut down significantly on harvester losses and the risks they create for the machine’s operator. This technology is helping us become better at fire detection when a machine is running in the field at harvest.”

Thermal imaging can also help with fire detection. Because equipment can show problems in the form of excessive heat before they fail, early identification of anomalies is a critical step in preventing possible combine fires.

Equip your combine with fire extinguishers

A combine or harvester can go up in flames ina matter of minutes. If you’ve detected an overheating component or small fire early on, you can still take action to prevent it from engulfing the machine. Make sure you have fire extinguishers both in the cab as well as near likely trouble spots around the machine so you can take quick action. And make sure they’re inspected and in working order at all times.

“The whole goal of prevention, detection and suppression on these machines is to avoid the loss, protect the operator and ensure no one is hurt orworse,” Grummert said. “We want to help farmers prevent these losses so they’re safe, don’t experience interruptions at harvest and can keep trucking along in a hugely important time for most operations.”

Visit AgInsightCenter.com for more tips and information to help you navigate the changing agricultural landscape, run a successful business and maintain the safety of your farm operation.

3 questions to ask before lending farm & ag equipment to neighbors

The following information is provided by Nationwide®, the #1 farm and ranch insurer in the U.S.*

When her husband Mike passed away in 2020, Jolene Palmer was faced with the task of harvesting the Fairfax, Minnesota, farm family’s corn crop —but she wasn’t alone.

Neighboring farmers eagerly volunteered their time and equipment —58 people, 12 combines, 12 grain carts and 28 semis, to be exact —to help her get the crop in the bin.

“In a total of 15 hours, they harvested 1,100 acres. It really was a true effort,” Palmer said.“It went so smoothly. It was just a huge accomplishment and it really made everybody feel good.”Farmers are well known for helping each other in times of need. Lending equipment or a helping hand to neighbors often takes place without a second thought. But like anything in farming, it’s crucial to do proper planning –weighing any safety, liability and insurance considerations.

Before lending farm & ag equipment, consider this scenario

Say your neighbor rolls over your lent tractor, which is one of the most common accidents in farming. Could you be liable for injuries? Will damages to the tractor be covered under your insurance policy?

Change your production systems

Nationwide’s AVP of Risk Management, Jason Berkland, recommends farmers stop and ask themselves three important questions before lending equipment to assist neighbors, including:

Does my policy extend coverage for rented or lent equipment? Before donating equipment or machinery to help out, confirm any coverage for that equipment with your farm insurance agent.
Is the piece of equipment in good working order? Make sure any machinery or equipment you are lending is well-maintained. That includes having all safety equipment like guards or locks installed and in working order. For additional information on mobile equipment safety, consider our mobile equipment safety training program.
Does the person borrowing the equipment have the experience and ability to run the equipment safely? Confirm who will be operating the equipment and that they have the necessary experience. Also conduct a walk-around together to point out safety features, worn parts and areas to watch while using the equipment.

Change your production systems

As the #1 farm insurer in the U.S.1, Nationwide has been helping farmers in need for nearly a century –so we get it. We just want to make sure that when farmers help other farmers, safeguards are in place to help protect those involved.

Contact your local Nationwide Farm Certified agent to learn more about the risks of lending farm equipment and to confirm you have the proper coverage. This way, you can be confident in helping your neighbors.

KEEP THE FARM PROTECTED WITH INFLATION GUARD COVERAGE

Keep the farm protected with inflation guard coverage

The following information is provided by Nationwide®, the #1 farm and ranch insurer in the U.S.*

There’s a lot happening around the world that’s applying downward pressure to revenue prospects for farmers. Inflation, logistical hurdles, rising energy and crop input prices at home and conflict overseas could all continue to contribute to the erosion of farm revenue potential.

But maximizing farm revenue requires investment. That investment is likely to come with some sticker shock this spring and beyond. The right insurance coverage can help.

Staying on top of your insurance coverage can help keep unexpected expenses like rising replacement costs from cutting potential farm revenue. A close eye on your coverage and a call to your agent can help make sure these costs don’t add to the financial pressure caused by inflation and other factors at home and abroad.

“All of these issues have a big impact on farm operational costs. We’re seeing higher prices for energy, machinery and many other inputs,” said Nationwide Senior Economist Ben Ayers. “It puts a lot of pressure on revenues many farmers are facing.”

Connecting with your agent is key

During this time of uncertainty, Nationwide and your local Nationwide farm agent are working hard to help farmers maintain the right coverage levels without incurring too much additional cost. Now is time to talk with your agent.

“My immediate concern is making sure you have adequate coverage,” said Nationwide Associate Vice President for Agribusiness Regional Sales Nick McCleish. “We have to make sure the amount of insurance is keeping pace with rising costs.”

McCleish cites a recent example when a farmer had to replace a $75,000 grain cart. But at the time of replacement, the price for that grain cart had surged to $90,000. That meant the farmer paid the additional cost out-of-pocket. “Paying those types of increased costs become much more difficult if you don’t keep your policy updated,” McCleish said.

Adding inflation guard coverage can help

The optional inflation guard coverage can help prevent such revenue losses by increasing dwelling and structure coverage limits at policy renewal. Also known as Construction Cost Adjustment, it helps to account for inflation in replacement or construction costs based on appraisals.

But inflation guard doesn’t always cover all additional costs. It’s important to have a good idea of costs for things like building materials and equipment ahead of time. Then match coverage levels to potential unexpected replacement or repair needs.

“Your insurance should not be a ‘set-it-and-forget-it’ type of activity. Keep your agent up to speed on how your operation’s changing. Make sure you’re covered appropriately,” McCleish said. “Have an agent that understands your operation, and uniqueness of what you’re trying to do. Our Farm Certified agents serve that purpose.”

Visit AgInsightCenter.com for more expert tips and information from Nationwide.

Stay on top of key ag trends with the Ag Insight Center

The following information is provided by Nationwide®, the #1 farm and ranch insurer in the U.S.*

Managing a successful farm or ranch today takes a lot of time and energy. And keeping up with evolving trends and the accelerating pace of innovation is no easy task.

As a way to help farmers and ranchers stay on top of the many issues they face — from day-to-day operations to operation-wide management — Nationwide launched the Ag Insight Center (AIC).

At AgInsightCenter.com, you’ll find resources, expert tips and timely, relevant content to help you stay in the know on the issues you face and solutions to the challenges of agriculture.

Safety and risk management resources to help you identify and reduce hazards, keep workers safe and protect assets
Business and operations resources to help you stay on top of industry trends, identify business opportunities and run a more profitable operation
Financial planning resources to help you make important financial decisions for your business and family
Insurance resources to help understand your needs and coverage options from Nationwide

Thought leadership from farm experts and industry leaders
As the #1 farm and ranch insurer in the U.S., Nationwide employs talented and experienced people from agricultural backgrounds – many of whom are farm operators. The thought leadership content you will find on the AIC draws on the expertise and experience of a talented team of industry experts and ag professionals who know first-hand the pressures and challenges facing farmers and ranchers.

For example, Erin Cumings, Nationwide Sponsor Relations Senior Consultant, also raises cattle and farms in Warren County, Iowa. Erin shares with readers her 20 years of insurance experience, hands-on knowledge and expertise in farm safety and risk management and how fellow farmers can add value to their farming operations.

Get content delivered to your inbox
We encourage everyone to subscribe to the AIC newsletter to get content delivered straight to their email inbox every other month. Each newsletter contains content on trending topics impacting farmers today. No matter where you are — in the field, office or farm shop — you always have quick access to valuable information that can help you manage your operation today and plan for tomorrow.

“The Ag Insight Center is symbolic of the Nationwide commitment to helping our customers thrive,” said Nationwide Ag Marketing Director Brad Snyder. “It’s a one-stop shop to keep farmers informed on the topics important to their businesses and families. And the AIC email newsletter gets you that information in a snap, no matter where you are or what you’re doing.”

Improving farm fuel economy with telematics in commercial agriculture

The following information is provided by Nationwide®, the #1 farm and ranch insurer in the U.S.*

A combination of factors from supply chain disruptions and inflation to conflicts around the world have shaken nerves in the oil market. The resulting higher fuel costs are a massive burden on large farming operations with large vehicle fleets.

There are a lot of things farmers can do to cut fuel bills. Telematics technology is on that list. Telematics offers a whole new toolbox to help keep fuel costs down through:

•Fuel-efficient operation
•Route optimization
•Proactive maintenance

“The ROI becomes clear immediately. Telematics is a way to create a cost benefit,” said Nationwide Agribusiness Senior Risk Management Consultant Brian Hammer. “Without it, you may miss out on an opportunity to manage day-to-day costs.”

Monitor operator behavior
The first way telematics streamlines fuel use is by monitoring operator behavior. This can help you ensure drivers aren’t wasting fuel. Things like excessive idling and driving at high speeds can cut fuel economy drastically.

Excessive idling is just one of the driver behaviors telematics can help you monitor. “It’s important to know you can supervise operators even when you’re not there. Telematics helps you do that,” Hammer said. “How an operator treats a piece of machinery translates directly to how much you spend on fuel.”

Manage route optimization
Without telematics, it’s tough enough to know the location of every truck and machine you operate, let alone optimize travel to minimize fuel use. With it, you can do both. Effective route optimization can save you a lot on fuel.

“Telematics helps you manage route optimization by confirming your trucks are in the right places and taking the shortest, most efficient routes,” Hammer said. “Optimizing your routes is a great way to save on fuel costs. Telematics makes that much easier to do today.”

Maintain performance and efficiency
Telematic data reveals performance and efficiency trends over time. By acting on some of the specific data telematic tools gather —tire pressure, for example —you can lower fuel and maintenance costs over time.

“If you’re not maintaining the right pressure, you lose fuel efficiency in the short term and can shorten the life of your tires in the long term. Telematics helps you plan ahead for replacement, avoid unexpected interruptions and maximize fuel efficiency,” Hammer said. “Keeping an eye on things like this can keep your costs down, both with fuel economy and maintenance.”

Get started with telematics today
Nationwide has partnered with Razor Tracking, a leader in real-time telematics and dashboard camera solutions. Nationwide farm policyholders receive preferred pricing on Razor’s devices and subscription fees. Email nationwide@razortracking.comto connect with a Razor Tracking representative and learn how this technology is right for your business.

Let’s talk about land

Let's talk about land
Because the future of your farmland matters most

The following information is provided by Nationwide®, the #1 farm and ranch insurer in the U.S.*

The farmland market is red–hot. Though such a bullish marketplace is a boon for landowners, it also changes the game for tenants who depend on rented land for a large share of their crop revenue. High prices make it even more important to make sure everyone involved has the right insurance coverage in place.

Complicating the equation for lessees is the recent rise in absentee farmland ownership. According to a USDA report**, around 40% of the land farmed in the U.S. is rented. Of that share, around 31% is owned by an absentee or non–operator, a number that continues to rise, especially as active farmers retire and sell land.

The combination of these trends creates year–over–year operational and managerial challenges for leasing farmers and their landowners. One of those is ensuring both parties are adequately managing the risk of a land lease for which the two parties may be thousands of miles apart.

Sharing insurance responsibilities
In most cases when a farmer rents land from an absentee landowner, risk management responsibilities are split between the two parties. Each lease should spell out who is responsible for different operational and management responsibilities. And what is fair is not always equal.

For example, if adding improvements like tile drainage can boost the long–term productivity of a field, installation costs should be shared based on the equity it creates. If a lessee anticipates only renting the land for one year, he or she should not bear as much cost as the landowner, who will likely see greater value in the form of higher rents over time as a result of the improvement.

But if such improvements are part of a multiyear leasing strategy in which the lessee will remain in the picture, he or she will likely pay a larger share of the cost. In general, the duration of a lease often is a major contributor to how land improvement costs are spread between the landowner and renter.

Think about how land is used
There are several factors that influence how farmland is insured. First, it’s important to consider the basics of the property and its intended purpose. Some land is obviously for cropping. But grassland or pasture land may have multiple uses. All of a piece of land’s intended
uses should be accounted for in both the written lease as well as the chosen insurance coverage.

Coverage options also vary widely based on lease land’s use. A basic homeowners policy rarely covers all of the operational risk of leased farmland. Sometimes endorsements cover those specific risks, but in other cases, altogether different policies specifically designed for farmland are the best solutions.

Especially with an absentee leases, it’s always a good idea to have regular meetings during which the lessee can update the landowner on all activities on the leased land and how they impact things like lease price and optimal insurance coverage options.

Talk with your insurance agent
No matter how you’re involved with farming – whether you’re currently farming or new to owning or renting farmland – it’s important to talk with your local Nationwide Farm Certified agent. Nationwide is the only farm insurance company that trains and certifies its agents. When you see that an agent is Nationwide On Your Side Farm Certified, you can be confident you’ve found a trusted, knowledgeable advisor.

Visit AgInsightCenter.com/farmlandownership to download our free Farmland Ownership Protection Guide and to learn what we know about farmland.

*A.M. Best Market Share Report 2021.
Nationwide, the Nationwide N and Eagle, and Nationwide is on your side are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. © 2022 Nationwide

How to prevent ransomware attacks on your farm

The following information is provided by Nationwide®, the #1 farm and ranch insurer in the U.S.*

Farms are growing in size and sophistication. At the same time, ag markets and supply chains are relying more and more on digital systems that can be vulnerable to cyberattacks. Ransomware is one type of attack that can prove particularly costly — but there are ways you can help prevent ransomware attacks.

“Any industry that relies on a complicated supply chain or time–focused requirements to get products to consumers are going to be in the crosshairs for these criminal groups,” says Nationwide Senior Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer, Todd Lukens. “When a farm or company is growing fast, computer security programs can’t keep up. In many ways, ag businesses are perfect targets.”

Ransomware is a type of cyberattack when someone illegally gains access to your computer systems or files, then locks them down until you pay a ransom to restore access. Recovery can take a lot of time and money. Business interruption, recovery, restoring systems and paying the ransom itself are all potential ransomware costs to a farm or agribusiness.

“These attacks have ramifications that last from days to weeks to months. Ransomware gives criminals the potential to make millions in a short amount of time,” adds Lukens. “Farms and agribusinesses are growing targets for these criminals.”

Ways to prevent ransomware attacks on your farm or ag business
The best way to avoid an attack and its financial hit is to practice what Lukens calls “good cyber hygiene.” Keeping computer software up–to–date and ensuring you have security protocols in place on every device can help. Lukens also recommends:

Educating your team on all types of cyberattacks
Making sure no one can access computer systems or files on the internet
Utilizing a virtual private network (VPN) or secure connection for any internet–connected computer or server
Requiring multi–factor authentication for all employees
Creating a backup plan so files and other data are available if you are hit by ransomware or another type of cyberattack

Insurance coverage and protection
There are cyber liability coverages and services to help protect you and your farm or agribusiness from loss from a ransomware or other cyberattack. That protection extends well beyond the attack itself.

“Cyberattack policies and endorsements may include coverage for liabilities associated with a data breach like ransom negotiation and payment,” said Lukens. “Policies can include business interruption loss while systems are down during an attack.”

Lukens recommends educating your farm or agribusiness workforce about cyberattacks like ransomware and how to best protect yourself. This can also help you identify the right coverage options.

“If you live in an area prone to severe storms, would you go without property insurance?” Lukens said. “The more we rely on computer systems to conduct our business, the more impactful they are when they go down. So, we have to protect them.”

Visit AgInsightCenter.com for resources and expert tips on trending topics to help you run a successful
business and maintain the safety of your operation.

[1] *A.M. Best Market Share Report 2022.

Nationwide, the Nationwide N and Eagle, and Nationwide is on your side are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.
© 2023 Nationwide

pires well after
baling. That continued respiration in the presence of oxygen after it’s baled creates conditions that can
cause bales to spontaneously combust. Wet hay that continues to respire can generate heat and
eventually spontaneously combust.
After hay is baled and stored at higher moisture levels, the fire risk from spontaneous combustion is
greatest in the first two to six weeks. And that risk continues if hay bales are stored where moisture can
linger, like a barn with a leaky roof or high–humidity area.
Hay placed in storage should have a moisture content under 25%, according to a report from the
Pennsylvania State University Agriculture and Biological Engineering Department. Higher levels of
moisture require an oxygen limiting storage system. The heat generated by the crop plus the presence
of oxygen increases the risk of a fi

Author: Parker Welch

What are carbon markets in agriculture?

MARYLAND FARMER WINS LILJA EDUCATOR GRANT FUNDS

KEEP YOUR RURAL ROADS SAFE

How to prevent combine fires

3 questions to ask before lending farm & ag equipment to neighbors

Keep the farm protected with inflation guard coverage

Stay on top of key ag trends with the Ag Insight Center

Improving farm fuel economy with telematics in commercial agriculture

Let's talk about landBecause the future of your farmland matters most

How to prevent ransomware attacks on your farm

Let's talk about land
Because the future of your farmland matters most