1. Assess seed and seedling stands as soon as possible, say Ohio State University experts. If seedlings have nice, white roots, they should be gently replanted. However, if corn or soybean seedlings have root areas that are soft brown, tan or dark brown, they likely won’t make it.

Read more about the diseases that can affect corn and soybean seedlings.

2. University of Nebraska, Lincoln, research has shown value in planting soybeans deeper. The research took place over three years at different locations. Overall results showed that regardless of early or late planting or tillage type, a 1.75-inch planting depth maximized soybean yields.

Read more about the study and soybean planting depth from UNL.

3. This week the government released it’s latest climate change data. The third National Climate Assessment authors found that climate disruptions have increased in the past 40 years. A new website details the latest data, offering an overview of temperature change, precipitation and widespread impacts.

Climate change poses a major challenge to U.S. agriculture because of the critical dependence of agricultural systems on climate. Climate change has the potential to both positively and negatively affect the location, timing, and productivity of crop, livestock, and fishery systems at local, national, and global scales.

Read the overview and get more information.

4. A recent review of biotech, or GM (GMO), crops shows that they offer major environmental benefits and allow farmers to grow more acres with fewer resources. In the 17 years of adoption, genetically modified crops delivered more environmentally friendly farming practices while providing clear improvements to farmer productivity, says Graham Brookes, co-author of the PG Economics report.

During the last 17 years, this technology has made important positive socio-economic and environmental contributions. These have arisen even though only a limited range of GM agronomic traits have so far been commercialized, in a small range of crops.

The crop biotechnology has delivered economic and environmental gains through a combination of their inherent technical advances and the role of the technology in the facilitation and evolution of more cost effective and environmentally friendly farming practices.

Read some of the highlights and benefits that GM crops offer.

5. The film Farmland made its debut in late April, and hit select theaters in early May. While the run may be short, the impact will be large. CSD Editor Kurt Lawton saw and reviewed the film.

In my opinion, the feeling captured from each family was an unscripted, honest view of their business – in joy, in sorrow and in fear of tough times that are inevitable.

Learn more about the film and showtimes and watch trailers at the Farmland film website.

FARMLAND Teaser Trailer 2014 from Farmland on Vimeo.