Ben Potter

Ben Potter writes about the many new on-farm technologies that make farmers better, faster, more efficient and more profitable. He has more than 9 years of experience writing for a cotton publication and an advertising agency serving agribusiness clients. This helped him build a strong foundation of agronomic and crop-protection knowledge for corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, rice, peanuts and a variety of specialty crops. Ben attended both the University of Missouri (journalism) and the University of Memphis (technical writing). Ben’s grandparents were corn and soybean farmers, and his father was a soil scientist with the USDA. Away from work, Ben keeps busy with a broad range of activities, whether it’s long-distance running, growing habanero peppers or spending quality time with his wife and two daughters.

Latest Stories
The USDA’s 2012 Census of Agriculture reveals farmers were older and more diverse than in 2007. What were the other highlights?
BASF’s Zidua herbicide, previously registered for use only with corn and soybeans, has received Environmental Protection Agency registration for spring and winter wheat.
Taking a soil physical is one way to find the strengths and weaknesses in its overall health.
The role of plant breeding has changed dramatically over the years.
Hay
Last year, the National Alfalfa & Forage Alliance (NAFA) unanimously voted to start a national checkoff program that would fund industry research. This week, this goal took a big step forward as NAFA announces its first-ever request for proposals (RFP) for its U.S. Alfalfa Farmer Research Initiative.
Hay
In a short statement issued earlier today, AGCO Corporation says it has reached “agreement in principle” to acquire the forage division of Lely Group. Lely’s forage lineup includes a broad range of equipment, including mowers, tedders, rakers, balers and more.
Planting alfalfa this summer or fall? Romulo Lollato and Doo-Hong Min, forage specialists with Kansas State University, have some best practices to make sure your investment pays off.
Hay
Lower profit potential on irrigated ground will only look worse if La Niña comes calling this summer, dragging drought into the picture. Do any alternatives options for that land look lucrative?
Hay
Freshly mowed hay is pleasant. Buying and selling hay is not so pleasant. A new mobile app from University of Wisconsin Extension hopes to change that.
If you haven’t planted cover crops yet, you naturally need to know what it’s going to cost before you do. As the cliché goes, there’s an app for that. (Well, a spreadsheet.)