Water is the backbone of farming and ranching in the Southern High Plains, yet it is becoming increasingly unreliable. While producers have long adapted to dry conditions, today’s challenges—declining aquifers, prolonged drought, and rising competition for water—are outpacing traditional solutions.

We often focus on climate change when we talk about today’s wildfires, and rightly so. Climate is a big part of the equation, but it doesn’t cause fire on its own. Invasive plants are rarely acknowledged as part of the wildfire problem.

Farm machinery is rapidly shifting from automation to autonomy, integrating GPS, AI, and data systems. At Agritechnica, trends were clear: more robots, global participation, and China’s growing role in high-tech ag. Full autonomy isn’t here yet, but the future is coming fast.

Climate change and the drive for a more resilient food system are reshaping how companies measure and manage sustainability.

With agriculture facing one of the nation’s highest suicide rates, ISA is expanding its mission beyond agronomy to provide Mental Health First Aid training, share farmer stories, and connect producers with mental health resources.

In this Voices of Agriculture feature, Solito Sumulong reflects on lessons drawn from years at the forefront of this transition—from pheromone biocontrols and nanotechnology to peptide bioinsecticides.