Mark Townsend

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Agricultural equipment: feats of modern engineering

Sep 15, 2024 | fredericknewspost.com | Mark Townsend

In my office sits a canon of agricultural literary works that provide a window back in time. The authors tout the astonishing technology that existed in their day — automatic milking machines, belt-driven threshers, and even the convenience of refrigeration are lauded for their superior efficacy over obsolete methods. kAmuC2?<=J[ :EVD BF:E6 2>FD:?8 E@ C625 E96:C E649?@=@8J 6F=@8:6D 2D E96J C64:AC@42==J =2>32DE6 9@CD6\5C2H? 3F88:6D :? DFAA@CE @7 E96:C >@56C?
Farm business strategies: enterprise diversification

Mar 24, 2024 | fredericknewspost.com | Mark Townsend

Each winter, Extension agents host and present at meetings offered to the agricultural community on topics including novel crop production methods and business management strategies. Mercifully, the speaking tour is winding down, but there have been some prevailing themes in audience questions across the meetings. kAmp 8C@H6C AF==65 >6 2D:56 2E @?6 >66E:?8 2?5 2D<65 >J @A:?:@? @? H96E96C @C ?@E E96:C 3FD:?6DD D9@F=5 4@?D:56C 8C@H:?8 2? 2=E6C?2E:G6 8C2:? 4C@A 8:G6?
Carbon trading: the next opportunity for farmers?

Feb 18, 2024 | fredericknewspost.com | Mark Townsend

I’m sure readers of this column are familiar with this topic, or have at least heard something about it in recent years. Put simply, soils sequester atmospheric carbon (carbon dioxide) and store it in various forms — including soil organic matter mentioned in previous columns. Farms can assist and improve this process through management practices. kAmx? 2AA=:42E:@?[ E9:D 7F?52>6?E2==J :>A@CE2?E[ ?2EFC2==J @44FCC:?8 AC@46DD :D =:23=6 E@ C65F46 E96 67764ED @7 8C66?9@FD6 82DD6D :?
It’s alive! Soil biology and its pivotal role in crop production

Jan 15, 2024 | fredericknewspost.com | Mark Townsend

In agriculture, our understanding of crop production is always evolving and more recently has been building upon the work of soil microbiologists. As agriculturalists, we are now in an era in which we stand upon the shoulders of those researchers and practitioners who built our understanding of soil biology. kAm!C6G:@FD=J[ EC25:E:@?2= 4C@A D4:6?46 D2H E96 D@:= 2D 2 “3=24< 3@I” :? H9:49 :?AFED WD665[ 76CE:=:K6C[ 6E4]X H6?E :? @?6 D:56 2?5 4C@A J:6=5 42>6 @FE E96 @E96C D:56]k^AmkAm%96C6 92G6 366?
Understanding Supply and Demand Estimates for Grain Commodities

Dec 17, 2023 | lancasterfarming.com | Dale Johnson |Mark Townsend

A most basic economic principle is the law of supply and demand. This law predicts prices rise if demand for a commodity, such as corn, surpasses the supply of corn. If the supply of corn outstrips the demand then prices will fall. Traders who have a better knowledge of the current supply and demand would have a strong advantage over those who do not have this knowledge.
Advancements in conservation: cover crop strategies

Nov 19, 2023 | fredericknewspost.com | Mark Townsend

You may have noticed an Associated Press story last week titled “Cover crops help the climate and the environment, but most farmers say no. Many fear losing money.”To briefly summarize, the article first introduces the concept of cover cropping and describes the practice’s potential benefits to both farmers and natural resources conservation efforts.
Officials hear firsthand about farm concerns

Sep 18, 2023 | fredericknewspost.com | Mark Townsend

As the fog lifted from the Middletown Valley on a stunningly beautiful day on Sept. 8, the Frederick County Farm Bureau, in partnership with the Frederick and Catoctin Soil Conservation Districts, hosted the third annual Soil Smart Farm Tour for federal, state and local government officials.
A walk on the wild side: wildlife crop damage

Aug 20, 2023 | fredericknewspost.com | Mark Townsend

Though the heat of the summer has not yet left us, the length of the day wanes as we move closer to autumn. August can be a month of reprieve for some farmers as some crops enter their last stages of development before harvest. Though the crop management stresses are slightly lessened, it remains a critical time for preserving optimal crop yields. Yet, there lurks a reaper of sorts in these fields — one not made of iron or wood.
The value of our work

Jul 16, 2023 | fredericknewspost.com | Mark Townsend

One of my favorite adages is “work smarter, not harder.” The phrase was coined by Allan F. Mogensen, an industrial engineer, industry consultant, and pioneer in work simplification efforts. It remains my favorite, because it is, in truth, my least favorite. Though we have heard the phrase time and time again from the likes of school teachers, coworkers, and even supervisors, it remains elusive in practice.
Linking soils and water

Jun 18, 2023 | fredericknewspost.com | Mark Townsend

I recently received a phone call from an old friend now working as a journalist in South Dakota. He was writing a story on the effect of drought on agriculture in his region and was interested in learning more about general topics in soil. Undoubtedly tickled, I launched into a diatribe about the role of soil texture, microorganisms, temperature, root growth, management, and a myriad of other topics that affect the degree of water stress in plants.