A southwestern Indiana farmer says a wet start to the growing season has created additional weed challenges. Ben Kron says resistance has been a problem. “We have issues over in our area with getting rid of water hemp and pig weed,” he says. “We’ve really struggled getting some of those killed. Even our neighbors have ended up…… Continue Reading
Watch for volunteer wheat after harvest for potential disease issues
An extension forage and wheat specialist says farmers should monitor fields after harvest to help prevent the spread of disease. Romulo Lollato with Kansas State University says lodging has resulted in head shattering. “That volunteer wheat can act as a bridge for the wheat curl mite. If we don’t control it whenever we plant our…… Continue Reading
MSU preparing for red crown rot findings
A plant pathologist is encouraging growers to scout for red crown rot as the disease spreads. Michigan State University’s Marty Chilvers tells Brownfield, “I probably would suspect it’s here in Michigan, we probably just haven’t found it yet.” Chilvers says soybeans start showing signs of the disease during the late reproductive stage. “In terms of symptoms in…… Continue Reading
Solid week for soybean product export sales
U.S. soybean product sales were up on the week. The USDA says bean meal sales during the week ending June 26th were considerably larger than the previous week thanks to solid feed demand from several key customers including Mexico. Soybean oil sales were sharply higher than the week before due to tighter global vegetable oil…… Continue Reading
Bunge and Viterra merger completed
A Missouri-based agribusiness has completed a merger that the CEO says will grow its global footprint. Bunge and Viterra’s merger became official on Wednesday, July 2. Bunge’s Greg Heckman says “we have more capabilities to sustainably meet the demands of complex markets, providing exceptional products and services to customers at both ends of the value…… Continue Reading
New Indiana Grain Indemnity law takes effect
The director of the Indiana Grain Buyers and Warehouse Licensing Agency says a bill signed into law earlier this year gives farmers added protections in the event of a grain licensee failure. Clark Smith says it provides much needed updates to the law’s language. “Once a revocation happens, we are revoking the grain license,” he says. “If farmers…… Continue Reading
Watch for Supplemental Disaster Relief
Producers could start signing up for USDA’s Supplemental Disaster Relief Program as early as next week. The USDA has targeted July 7th for enrolling producers for indemnified crop losses and September 15 for uncovered losses from weather events in 2023–2024. The program replaces USDA’s Wildfires and Hurricanes Indemnity Program and the Emergency Relief Program. USDA…… Continue Reading
Tar spot prevalent in 5 Iowa counties
A southwest Iowa farmer says he’s concerned about tar spot now that the crop disease has been detected in a nearby county. Ray Gaesser of Adams County tells Brownfield, “We are monitoring it. There was some in Audubon County a couple weeks ago. I haven’t heard of any close by here. All those kind of…… Continue Reading
Study shows corn farming a major driver for U.S. economy
The chief economist with the National Corn Growers Association says a new study shows corn farming is a major driver of the U.S. economy. Krista Swanson says it reaches over 500 different industry sectors in all 50 states. “In 2024, corn farmers in the United States grew 14.9 billion bushels of corn that was valued…… Continue Reading
Wisconsin budget supports ag exports, dairy processors, research, roads
Wisconsin’s dairy industry will continue to benefit from state budget investments. Rebekah Sweeney with the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association tells Brownfield the budget provides $2 million in continued funding for the Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports (WIAE). “It’s been a tremendous return on investment. Last year, for instance, a 500-thousand dollar investment in dairy exporting…… Continue Reading
