Nations that sow food crops for biofuels may reap less than thought

MADISON, Wis. — Global yields of most biofuels crops, including corn, rapeseed and wheat, have been overestimated by 100 to 150 percent or more, suggesting many countries need to reset their expectations of agricultural biofuels to a more realistic level. That’s according to a study, led by Matt Johnston and Tracey Holloway of the University

They’ve been waiting 17 years for this

The last time cicadas from Brood XIV emerged, George Bush Sr. was leading the nation, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was on prime time, and a gallon of gasoline cost $1.15.

Since 1991, this brood has been feeding and maturing underground in southwestern Ohio, central and eastern Pennsylvania, western West Virginia and nearly all of Kentucky.

Another green revolution needed to save developing countries from ruin

COLUMBUS — The world may be on the verge of a second green revolution, said an Ohio State University soil scientist. But while the original pulled people from the brink of starvation using genetics, he believes the success of the current movement will be rooted in careful management of Earth’s natural resources. Rattan Lal, a

Life Out Loud: Quick eye for the cash guy

I really wanted to write something today, but I’m currently obsessed with stalking my bank account. This is, I assure you, every bit as exciting as it sounds.

Public television: make it yours

Farm and Family Living columnist Laurie Marlatt Steeb writes about what PBS has meant to her and to her family.

Foot-and-mouth disease hits European farmers’ clout as well as pocketbook

President of the Belgian farmers union said the economic impact of the disease has been enormous, but psychologically, it has been even worse.

Deep tillage raised crop yields, lower soil compaction

Ohio State University research on subsoiling found certain soil types benefit from deep loosening, increasing corn and soybean yields an average of 4 percent to 5 percent each year.

The money connoisseur

RAVENNA, Ohio – You’d think with all Robbin Quinn knows about money, he’d be a banker or stockbroker or at least outrageously rich.

Reps. Krebs, Logan renew farmland preservation efforts one bill at a time

Ohio Reps. Gene Krebs and Sean Logan were unable to get a comprehensive preservation bill passed last year, but they’re back with seven separate bills that comprise the basics of a new comprehensive package.

A passion for wind power

MILLERSBURG, Ohio – Bernie Caldwell calls wind power his passion. And thankfully, for the 40-plus people who gathered at the Millersburg library to hear him talk on the subject last week, he’s not just a blowhard.