Grain/Potato

The need to achieve record production year after year in order to maintain reasonable commodity prices and support the bio fuel industry is a tall order.  Better management practices in fertility and equipment as well as constant improvements in genetics and pest control options have resulted in global agriculture production that continues to trend upward. 

Every year brings weather challenges and sometimes, like in 2012, uncommon events like large scale drought in the US cause concern over inflating food prices.  With limited airable land, research and technology will continue to be critical as we need to increase productivity to meet global demand for food. 

Crops like potatoes and corn maximize productivity per acre while crops like soybeans and legumes have the abilty to fix Nitrogen from the atmosphere for future crops.  Proper rotations of crops take advantage of nutrients available while lowering disease pressure.