Ag News
Heat and high humidity across the Heartland
A slow-moving disturbance currently crossing the nation’s mid-section will drift eastward, reaching the Northeast by Thursday. Locally heavy rainfall associated with that disturbance could reach 1 to 3 inches or more in the Midwestern and [Read More…]
National FFA announces Blue Room
FFA members attending the National FFA Convention this year will be able to experience the Blue Room, a 17,000-square-foot interactive exhibit that will showcase agriculture and innovation. National FFA CEO Mark Poeschl says the Blue [Read More…]
South Dakota corn 70 percent good to excellent
South Dakota topsoil moisture is 86 percent adequate to surplus, according to the USDA National Agriculture Statistics Service. Corn is 70 percent good to excellent. Soybeans are 65 percent good to excellent and two percent [Read More…]
Missouri wheat harvest jumps
Corn development is ahead of last year in Missouri. As of Sunday, 11 percent was silking. Corn condition is mostly good or fair…five percent is excellent. Missouri soybean emergence is 93% with blooming at four-percent, [Read More…]
Survey of rural bank CEOs reflects some concerns
Increased farm loan rejection rates are being reported by more Midwestern banks. And almost two-thirds say they’ve increased their collateral requirements on farm loans in reaction to weak farm income. Creighton economist Dr. Ernie Goss, [Read More…]
Ag Economy: record high, Farm GDP: record low
The agricultural economy is contributing more to U.S. Gross Domestic Product than ever recorded, but farm gate contributions have bottomed out. American Farm Bureau Federation’s John Newton tells Brownfield farm GPD is less than one [Read More…]
Farm Bureau says finish a trade deal Mr. President
The head of the American Farm Bureau says a perfect storm in agriculture is brewing and farmers better buckle up for the ride. American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall tells Brownfield he has a message [Read More…]
CME dairy prices dropped drastically Monday
Dairy prices were down and milk futures were sharply down at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Monday. Class Three June milk was down $.04 at $15.21. July was down $.56 at $14.10. August was down $.50 [Read More…]
Illinois Farmer says his biggest concerns are with ag policy, not weather
An Illinois farmer says he’s been fortunate with good crop weather and his biggest concerns are with ag policy decisions. “We can grow the best crops in the world, but we have to have a [Read More…]
Iowa Supreme Court issues key ag nuisance ruling
The Iowa Supreme Court has issued a key ruling analyzing the constitutionality of Iowa’s embattled right-to-farm law. According to Kristine Tidgren, director of the Center for Ag Law and Taxation at Iowa State University, the ruling [Read More…]
EPA postpones biofuel announcement
The EPA has postponed the announcement of its 2019 renewable fuel volumes. Bloomberg reports that the announcement was called off on Friday because the Trump administration has restarted talks over the biofuel blending obligations waived [Read More…]
Senate voting on river infrastructure funding, preparing for farm bill debate
The U.S. Senate plans to vote today on two issues important to agriculture. First, Senators will vote on 2019 appropriations on a bill that includes funding for the Army Corps of Engineers and the lock [Read More…]
EPA will reportedly increase biofuel target by 3 percent
Bloomberg reports that the EPA is on track to propose requiring 19.88 billion gallons of biofuels to be used in 2019 under the RFS. That is up 3 percent from 2018 requirements. The proposal would [Read More…]
Avoid mid-year balance sheet mistakes
When seeking a loan for the farm it’s important to provide accurate data on a mid-year balance sheet. Most farm businesses only have current balance sheets from the end of the year. Tommy Ayers of [Read More…]
Storms, heat & humidity in the days ahead
The nation’s midsection will remain the focus for stormy weather through the weekend, with a potential for strong storms and localized flooding over the central and southern Plains. Three-day rainfall totals of 2 inches or [Read More…]
Fundamentals pressure lean hog futures
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, cattle futures ended the day mixed in tight trading ranges ahead of Friday’s Cold Storage and Cattle on Feed report. The slow cash cattle trade didn’t help futures contracts find [Read More…]
Farmer says diversification is key on his farm
A central Indiana farmer is raising waxy corn to increase profitability on his farm. Danny Gill says it is also a way to mitigate risk when commodity prices are low. “Waxy (corn) has it’s positives [Read More…]
Food safety tips for pre-cut melons
A recent recall of pre-cut melon products has some people wondering if pre-packaged produce is safe to eat. Pre-cut watermelon, honeydew melon, cantaloupe, and fruit medley products in 22 states have been linked to a [Read More…]
NCGA names interim CEO
The National Corn Growers Association has named Jon Doggett as its interim CEO. Doggett, who was raised on his family’s ranch in Montana, has served as executive vice president for the past four years. Before [Read More…]
Food industry wants harmonized labeling amongst states
A spokesperson with the North American Millers’ Association says California’s Proposition 65 is creating labeling challenges for the food industry much like GMOs. VP of government and technical affairs Dave Nellor tells Brownfield the California [Read More…]