Ag News
Pattern remains active across much of the Corn Belt
A storm system currently centered over the upper Midwest will drift northeastward and gradually weaken. Storm impacts, such as wind-driven snow, will gradually subside across the north-central U.S. However, lowland flooding in several upper Midwestern [Read More…]
Challenging the accuracy of broadband maps
The digital divide and flawed broadband mapping tools were the subject of a Senate hearing this week. The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is examining why some of the mapping by the Federal [Read More…]
Missouri ranks second in number of farms
Missouri has the second highest number of farms in the U.S. The 2017 Ag Census says the state has more than 95,000 farms on nearly 28 million acres. Missouri’s USDA statistician Bob Garino tells Brownfield [Read More…]
Tester: We’re losing people right and left
U.S. Senator Jon Tester says financial difficulty could put a lot of farmers out of business. The Montana Democrat addressed U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue during a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on the USDA budget. [Read More…]
Hog futures supported by demand expectations
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, cattle futures ended the day higher finding support in the poor weather and feedlot performance. The anticipation of higher cash business was also supportive to the day’s higher prices. April [Read More…]
USDA condemns WaPo article
The USDA is pushing back at the Washington Post for an article falsely claiming the proposed New Swine Slaughter Inspection System would turn pork inspection over to plant employees. FSIS Administrator Carmen Rottenberg tells Brownfield, [Read More…]
ASA past president is Missouri Soybean Hall of Fame inductee
Gary Riedel was inducted Wednesday into the Missouri Soybean Hall of Fame. The Centralia soybean grower served as president of the Missouri Soybean Association in the early 80s and the American Soybean Association in the [Read More…]
Milk futures mixed, cash dairy higher
Milk futures on the Chicago Mercantile closed in mixed territory Friday as many traders stayed on the sidelines in both future and cash trade. April Class III milk up a penny at $15.92. May unchanged [Read More…]
Winter wheat up on late bounce
Soybeans were steady to fractionally lower in low trade volume. The trade continues to wait and see what happens next in talks with China. Negotiations have reportedly progressed well, but there’s no public timeline for [Read More…]
Deer baiting ban could be lifted in Michigan
A bill has been introduced in the Michigan Senate that would lift a ban on deer baiting which the Michigan Cattlemen’s Association says increases the risk of bovine tuberculosis outbreaks. Last year the Michigan Natural [Read More…]
Bill to address veterinarian shortage
Legislation has been reintroduced in the U.S. Senate to address veterinarian shortages in rural areas. Ranking Member of the Senate Ag Committee Debbie Stabenow of Michigan says she co-sponsored the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program [Read More…]
Pelosi, McConnell to Talk Immigration, Infrastructure
If karma is a killer, as they say, then House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D, CA) has got to be feeling the pain. Her House Democrat caucus is not marching in lockstep to the beat of [Read More…]
Indiana ag leader confirmed as United Nations food and ag ambassador
Indiana farmer Kip Tom has been confirmed as U.S. ambassador to three United Nations agencies based in Rome. Tom, who was nominated in July, will serve as ambassador to the Food and Agriculture Organization of [Read More…]
Policies, commitment keep soil health a focus
“The biggest asset a grower has is the land that he farms,” says Nathan Fields, vice president of production and sustainability at the National Corn Growers Association. From the Farm Bill Conservation Title to collaborative [Read More…]
“Dirty Dozen” debunked again
Are the fruits and vegetables on the so-called “dirty dozen” list released each year really dirty? And should you stay away from them and not eat them? Science says the answer is NO. Continue reading [Read More…]
Outlook for soybean exports muddied by African swine fever
The USDA released its latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand estimates Tuesday. University of Illinois ag economist Todd Hubbs viewed the numbers as negative for corn and wheat, and mostly neutral for soybeans because stocks [Read More…]
Graves bill would prioritize flood control
Missouri Congressman Sam Graves has reintroduced a bill in the U.S. House that would make flood control the highest priority for management of the Missouri River and remove “fish and wildlife” as an authorized purpose [Read More…]
African swine fever could hurt demand for U.S. soybeans
The African swine fever outbreak is viewed as friendly to U.S. hog prices, but an ag economist is concerned soybean demand could be adversely affected. Todd Hubbs with the University of Illinois says he’s hearing [Read More…]
Hog futures up on China pork purchases
Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures were higher, with spillover from hogs and traders buying back part of Wednesday’s losses, while waiting to see just how much direct business remains this week. Weekly beef exports [Read More…]
Kentucky growers form organic hemp co-op
A group of organic hemp farmers in Kentucky have formed a cooperative to share resources and markets. “There is a top end to this I’m sure, but I don’t think we’re anywhere near that at [Read More…]