Researchers recently traced the birthplace of the world’s dominant cotton species to the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. Their sleuthing also uncovered a treasure trove of genetic diversity in wild populations, which could eventually make the crop more resilient.

Over the next two years, the USDA plans to genetically sequence collections of major crops in the agency's National Plant Germplasm System and make that information available to U.S. companies. USDA leaders say this and a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Justice will increase competition in the seed industry.

As agricultural land prices have increased drastically over the past two decades and young, want-to-be farmers have an increasingly difficult time starting their operations, politicians nationally — and here in Iowa — have questioned if corporate or foreign interests are to blame.

A family farm in central Iowa recently transitioned their industrial hog operation to grow something else — specialty mushrooms. They say it’s better for them and the environment, and with help from a nonprofit, they hope to inspire other farmers.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins outlined plans to support cattle producers and streamline how the USDA collects and uses data at the Farm Progress Show.

Shades of red extracted from an ancient corn variety held up to heat and other conditions typical of food processing and storage. Researchers are exploring whether this natural dye alternative could open new markets for Midwest farmers.