Carbon Credits

There are half as many American dairy farms today as there were 20 years ago and the ones that survive are trying something new.

Farmers are starting the year off more optimistic about the ag economy. According to the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer, the index was 34% higher than its 2022 low point last June.

Indiana Farm Bureau’s priorities for the 2023 Indiana General Assembly will focus on four general topic areas: rural viability, energy policy, taxes and food security.

More Illinois farmers might participate in carbon market opportunities if major reforms were made to improve contracts, stabilize demand for soil carbon sequestration and increase financial incentives, according to a new study published by University of Illinois researchers.

Stephanie Terrell bought a used Nissan Leaf this fall and was excited to join the wave of drivers adopting electric vehicles to save on gas money and reduce her carbon footprint. But Terrell quickly encountered a bump in the road on her journey to clean driving.

Carbon markets and carbon credits may be an opportunity for dairy farms to diversify their revenue stream. “There are a lot of questions about carbon markets and carbon credits and I think it’s a really promising potential for dairy,” said Jamie Vander Molen Boehl.

Even at first glance, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s recently announced $3 billion “Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities” sounds like doublespeak, an Orwellian invention that reverses the meaning of words.

The new farm bill, conservation programs and regulations are among the areas the Illinois Farm Bureau has focused on in working on behalf of Prairie State farmers.

Farmer sentiment about the ag economy decreased from August to September, according to the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer. More farmers cited rising interest rates as a reason why now is not a good time to make large investments.

The Kron family is preparing for harvest in southern Indiana. Randy Kron, farmer and president of Indiana Farm Bureau, shared an update with AgriNews.

Incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth spoke of her legislative record and platform going forward if elected during the recent Illinois Agricultural Legislative Roundtable candidate forum.

Questions relating to several high-priority legislative issues were posed to U.S. senatorial candidates at a recent candidate forum. The Illinois Agricultural Legislative Roundtable forum featured incumbent Democrat U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth and Republican challenger Kathy Salvi.

Indiana Farm Bureau member delegates gathered at the Hendricks County Fairgrounds to determine the policy positions of the organization for 2023. The delegate body consisted of 234 farmers and agribusiness professionals from across the state.

Millions of Americans in the western United States continue to struggle with the effects of persistent drought.

There are numerous players in the carbon market space, including a new platform that will be fully operational by the end of 2022. Carbonplace is a platform created by global financial institutions committed to strengthening the voluntary carbon credit market.