Cash dairy prices were mixed again Wednesday on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Dry whey was down $0.0075 at $0.4975. One sale was recorded at that price. Forty-pound cheese blocks were up $0.01 at $1.73. Five sales were recorded, ranging from $1.7150 to $1.7325. Cheese barrels were down $0.0025 at $1.70. Seven sales were recorded, ranging…… Continue Reading
Ethanol production up on the week, stocks down
There were modest changes for U.S. ethanol production and supply over the past week. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says ethanol production averaged 1.04 million barrels per day, up 7,000 on the week and 53,000 on the year. Seasonal maintenance has ended for some producers and Iowa State University’s Center for Agricultural and Rural Development…… Continue Reading
Minnesota House passes $172 million ag budget
The House has passed a $172 million ag finance bill as the Minnesota Legislative Session hits the home stretch. Minnesota Farmers Union government relations director Stu Lourey says legislators face a May 19th adjournment. “This is really when the rubber hits the road and we start seeing omnibus bills roll out, you know broad budgets…… Continue Reading
Spring brings increased spotted lanternfly surveillance
The coordinator of the Illinois Agricultural Pest Survey says the invasive spotted lanternfly has made its home in the state. “We are seeing a small population up there. We have over wintering with egg masses.” Kelly Estes says the pest, which originates from China, can survive the Cook County winter and could be transported anywhere…… Continue Reading
USDA launches lawfare complaint portal for farmers and ranchers
The USDA has launched a portal for farmers, ranchers, and USDA customers to report complaints if they believe they have been targeted by unfair or politically motivated legal actions. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins made the announcement Wednesday morning. “We will work with our counterparts across the Trump government to address any other government overreach…… Continue Reading
A closer look at the EPA’s final insecticide strategy
The U.S. EPA says its included updates in the final Insecticide Strategy to make it easier for applicators and growers to comply with the Endangered Species Act. “We see a lot of improvements here.” Kyle Kunkler with the American Soybean Association says the improvements are across many different areas. “Everything from adding additional mitigations to…… Continue Reading
Economist: Farmers, biofuel producers, fuel retailers still seek E15 certainty
An economist with the University of Missouri says the Trump administration’s waiver allowing sales of E15 fuel blends this summer isn’t a long-term solution. “Monday’s announcement of year-round E15 follows a similar pattern from the last couple years,” Ben Brown said. Brown says biofuel producers and fuel retailers have been frustrated with a lack of…… Continue Reading
Additional specialty crop funding released
The Trump administration has announced it is resuming payments to growers through the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops program. Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins says a second round of support up to $1.3 billion will be used to assist growers with rising input costs and to expand domestic markets. The assistance program was created at the end of…… Continue Reading
Second crop corn conditions favorable in Brazil
An ag economist says demand has been strong for U.S. corn. Jim McCormick with AgMarket.Net says the corn market has been monitoring harvest in Argentina and second crop conditions in Brazil. “A big critical part is this safrinha corn crop,” he said. “From what I understand, they are getting the rain they need right now.…… Continue Reading
Criminal charges dropped against a South Dakota ranching family
The Trump administration has dropped criminal charges against a South Dakota family accused of improperly using Forest Service land. Ethan Lane with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association says the Maude family was a victim of an egregious overreach of power. “The fact that the Trump administration heard those calls from us, from the Public Lands…… Continue Reading
