Farmers constantly search for ways to make extra money on the farm. Vital Farms has offered that for hundreds of producers nationwide.

“The use of water by the crop — the consumptive use — remains the same. Corn that's planted 8 inches apart on 30 inches of ...

Rising rates increase costs for operating loans, grain storage and equipment—but farm debt levels remain stronger than the 1980s.

Take hydraulic oil. “If you’re getting a high iron or copper content, there could be a component failing,” Shepheard said. “And you cannot see that. It isn’t leaking; it appears to be operating fine.