Ag Matters Fall 2026
INSIDE
• Putting farm waste to good use • Addressing limited resources in the agricultural sector • The effects of soil degradation and more...
Bureau County Republican / shawlocal.com/bureau-county-republican • Wednesday, September 23, 2026
BUREAU COUNTY AG MATTERS
2
Putting farm waste to good use Agricultural waste poses a challenge for farmers, even if the subject does not garner a lot of attention outside of rural areas. Farms generate enormous amounts of organic waste, including crop residues, fruit peels, sawdust, and livestock manure. Farmers must decide how to get rid of agricultural waste legally and economically. If not disposed of properly, farm waste can pollute the environment, particularly the air and waterways like rivers and streams. It is best for everyone to mitigate agricultural waste to create further hazards. Farmers may not have considered recycling some agricultural waste, but it is a way to transform this potential hazard into something that can be used on the farm itself or sold commercially. The following are some considerations for putting farm waste to good use. COMPOST Animal waste, crop residues and additional organic material can be combined to create nutrient-rich compost. Compost is utilized to improve soil structure, fertility and water retention. This helps reduce reliance on chemical
fertilizers. By investing in large-scale composting tools, farmers can process hundreds or even thousands of tons of organic matter each year. While some can be used on the farm, the excess can be sold at a profit. BIOGAS Biogas production is carried out through a process known as anaerobic digestion (AD). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says AD involves bacteria breaking down organic matter, such as animal manure, wastewater biosolids and food wastes in the absence of oxygen. As the bacteria digest the waste, they generate biogas, which is mostly comprised of methane. Capturing biogas can reduce greenhouse gas emissions on a farm, and the biogas can be turned into a renewable energy source to power electricity, heating used in many applications, including or transportation, according to Prime animal bedding, fertilizers and a foundation material for creating bioplastics Dumpster Incorporated. and other bio-based products. DIGESTATE Anaerobic digestion does not only RECYCLING Certain items used on farms cannot produce biogas. Digestate is the solid and liquid effluent remaining after the be turned into compost or fertilizer. process, says the EPA. Digestate can be However, recycling containers, tires,
cardboard, rubber, and plastics offers the potential for these products to be made into new items. Western Packaging says recyclable items can be kept separate from other waste so they can have new life outside of landfills. Seeing farm waste as an asset and not a problem can help farmers save money and resources. TF261477
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Limited resources in the agricultural sector are common pressure points for modern farm operations. Whether the resource is land, labor, water, or capital, lack of assets can cause strain. But there are practical ways to ease the pressure, and most solutions work best when combined with other methods.
infrastructure, use of solar pumps will provide a low-cost, sustainable means to accessing groundwater. Treated urban wastewater can be used for nonfood crops, preserving potable water for high-value produce and human consumption on farms and elsewhere.
DEPLETING AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES Resource depletion is a condition that affects many modern farmers. With an expanding global population, demand for food and other agricultural products is at an all-time high. This can put a strain on the finite resources available to farmers. Efficient use of resources must become a greater priority. Farmers may want to invest in precision agriculture tools, such as GPS-guided equipment, soil sensors and variable-rate application tools, to use resources only where needed. practices can result in soil erosion, soil Even crop rotation and manual soil degradation and reduced fertility. Farmtesting can significantly reduce waste. ers can turn to sustainable practices to protect the soil and improve its health. SOIL CONCERNS Practices like conservation tillage and According to the agricultural firm Verdesian, degrading and undervalu- cover cropping help increase yields ing farmland poses another challenge over time without the need for more to today’s farmers. Continuous farming land or chemicals.
CAPITAL Limited capital can be a concern for farmers who are looking to invest in modern tools and practices. Cooperative financing and government support programs can reduce funding barriers. Farmers can pool resources to buy in bulk and share expensive machinery. Educating the public also can be a step in the right direction. Despite research indicating a need to invest in agriculture, investment remains minimal. Agriculture also is a market with very volatile prices. But with more interest, the tides may change and make investing in agriculture more attractive. Addressing limited agricultural resources requires utilization of what’s already available with an emphasis on sustainability. Through collaboration and discussion, farmers can find the assistance they need. AG263391
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WATER MANAGEMENT Agriculture puts a strain on water sources. Approximately 70 percent of global freshwater withdrawals are attributed to agricultural needs, says the World Resources Institute. Micro-irrigation can involve the use of drip or sprinkler systems to increase water efficiency. In regions with limited energy
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3 BUREAU COUNTY AG MATTERS Bureau County Republican / shawlocal.com/bureau-county-republican • Wednesday, September 23, 2026
Addressing limited resources in the agricultural sector
Bureau County Republican / shawlocal.com/bureau-county-republican • Wednesday, September 23, 2026
BUREAU COUNTY AG MATTERS
4
AI is transforming agriculture Technology has revolutionized global agriculture. Automation has changed the agricultural sector, and those changes might have arrived in the nick of time. The global population is projected to reach nearly 10 billion by 2050, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations estimates that food production has to increase by at least 70 percent to keep up with demand. In order to address the deficit without exhausting the Earth’s finite resources, pected to grow from $1.7 billion (the many farmers are seeking help from ar- figure in 2023) to $4.7 billion by 2028. Precision helps to keep plants tificial intelligence (AI). AI offers farmstrong and weed-free. AI-driven “seeers additional perks as well. and-spray” technology utilizes computers to identify weeds among crops PRECISION AGRICULTURE Precision is a notable benefit of uti- and apply herbicides only to those lizing AI within the agricultural sec- weeds. This reduces blanket-spraytor. By using AI-powered sensors and ing an entire field, which is a waste satellite imagery, farmers can monitor of resources. Research published in crop health by looking at each and the Journal of Agriculture and Food every plant instead of inspecting by Chemistry indicates that this AIthe acre. According to a report by guided tool can reduce herbicide use MarketsandMarkets, a revenue im- by up to 90 percent. This reduces pact and marketing consulting firm, costs to farmers and benefits local the market for AI in agriculture is ex- ecosystems.
tice them on their own. Multispectral imagery from drones can detect crop stress caused by nutritional deficiencies or fungus days before a human might recognize such indicators. By catching things early, farmers can reduce risk of a poor crop and financial losses.
RISK MANAGEMENT Weather across the planet has featured an uptick in volatile, unanticipated conditions. This can make planting even more challenging for farmers. AI models can process decades of historical weather data, soil conditions and atmospheric changes to offer predictive analytics that help the agriculture industry. By using predictive AI tools, farmers can determine optimal planting windows to maximize yield, according to the International Food Policy Research Institute. In addition, AI algorithms can predict outbreaks of pests and diseases before farmers no-
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AUTOMATION Agricultural labor shortages are forcing farming operations to seek alternatives to get the job done. The American Farm Bureau Federation notes that farm labor has become more expensive and it’s harder to find workers who want to do the arduous tasks often required of them. AI-driven robotics and autonomous tractors guided by GPS can help fill the void. These devices can work through the night, preparing soil, harvesting crops and performing other vital tasks. AI continues to be integrated into the agricultural sector. In order to maintain food security and mitigate labor shortages, farming operations are using technological tools to bridge gaps and improve efficiency. AG263680
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BUREAU COUNTY AG MATTERS Bureau County Republican / shawlocal.com/bureau-county-republican • Wednesday, September 23, 2026
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The effects of soil degradation
Soil degradation is an environmental concern that occurs when land becomes less fit for a specific purpose, like crop production. As the soil loses nutrients, namely phosphorous, nitrogen and potassium, crop yields can decline significantly, compounding the problem of food shortages resulting from a growing global population. The lack of a strong foundation to grow food and other plants is just one of the problems associated with soil degradation. Here are some additional issues tied to soil degradation. • Nutritional decline: Food grown in over-taxed soil may have a lower nutrient density. This can lead to micronutrient deficiencies in the human population. • Farm closures: When soil erodes too much to support agriculture, farmers may abandon the land and their operations. • Loss of biodiversity: Soils are a reservoir of biodiversity. The Food and Agriculture Organization says that a healthy soil may be home to up to 25 percent of the planet’s biodiversity. Degradation can destroy the habitat for bacteria, fungi and insects that contribute to the
cycling of nutrients. • Poor infiltration capacity: Degraded soils are not able to soak up rainwater as effectively as healthy soil. This can lead to water run-off and instances of flash floods. In arid locations, extreme degradation can lead to desertification, which occurs when land is unable to support vegetation. • Climate change triggers: The ocean, forests and soil are the world’s largest carbon sinks, according to Client Earth. When soil erodes or is tilled to excess, stored organic carbon can oxidize and release into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide, contributing to climate change. Furthermore, degraded land is not capable of supporting lush vegetation necessary to pull carbon out of the atmosphere. • Global unrest: As healthy, arable land becomes scarce, the competition for fertile territories can lead to local and international conflict. Food scarcity also contributes to higher prices on products across the world. Soil degradation can produce a trickle-down effect that affects people from all walks of life. AG263692
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Bureau County Republican / shawlocal.com/bureau-county-republican • Wednesday, September 23, 2026
BUREAU COUNTY AG MATTERS
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The agricultural sector is evolving thanks to new technology necessitated by a growing global population and the pressures of climate change. The United Nations predicts a global population of 9.7 billion by 2050. The agricultural sector must figure out a way to meet the demands of that expanding population. These challenges are being offset by advancing technologies that are helping farmers increase productivity while also reducing their ecological impact. Technological advancements are cultivating innovation within the agricultural sector, and these are some of the options farmers are exploring. • The internet of things (IoT): IoT is a vast network of objects embedded with sensors, software and connectivity. Farm operations can use lowcost, high-durability sensors deployed across fields to monitor soil moisture, temperature and nutrient levels in real time. These sensors allow for “variable rate application” of water and fertilizers, ensuring resources are directed only where they are needed. A report
by Grand View Research says the smart agriculture market is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate of 10.8 percent through 2030. • Robotics and automation: Labor shortages have led to a growing reliance on robotics and autonomous machinery to handle farm work. Modern tractors can be equipped with GPS and LiDAR (light detection and ranging) systems to operate autonomously. Optimized pathfinding helps to reduce soil compaction and more. Specialized robots are capable of selective harvesting, says the Journal of Field Robotics. Fruit pickers can evaluate the ripeness of produce before picking it, minimizing waste. Unmanned aerial vehicles or drones can offer multispectral imagery that enables farmers to identify crop stress before it is visible to people. • Biotechnology: Farming increasingly is being developed in the lab before crops even sprout in the fields. Biotechnology is a pillar of agricultural evolution. Gene-editing tools like CRISPR-Cas9 can develop crop varieties that are more resilient to saline
soil conditions and drought. Research published in Nature Communications says that bio-engineered crops have the potential to increase yields by up to 20 percent, even in suboptimal environments. This cuts down the time required to create traits that help plants thrive. • Vertical farming: Vertical farming enables facilities to produce more food per square foot than traditional
farming, according to the Association for Vertical Farming. When coupling this with Controlled Environment Agriculture, which employs hydroponic or aeroponic systems, facilities have greater control over conditions that can affect food sources. The utilization of different technologies across the agricultural sector is driving innovation and production. AG263681
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BUREAU COUNTY AG MATTERS Bureau County Republican / shawlocal.com/bureau-county-republican • Wednesday, September 23, 2026
Cultivating agricultural innovation
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Bureau County Republican / shawlocal.com/bureau-county-republican • Wednesday, September 23, 2026
BUREAU COUNTY AG MATTERS
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