An east central Nebraska farmer says adjustments to crop nutrient and weed programs could help improve his bottom line. Mitch Oswald tells Brownfield he’s switched to variable rate applications for fertilizer and is trying to improve other efficiencies. “So we don’t have to come back in later on in the summer with an extra passive for spring.…… Continue Reading
West-central Minnesota farmer done with corn planting
A west-central Minnesota farmer wrapped up corn planting this week. Chad Willis of Wilmar says conditions kept improving following an early April snowstorm. “Right around Easter time it dried out and everybody’s been hitting it pretty hard.” He tells Brownfield the seed bed has been close to ideal. “Probably some of the best ground that…… Continue Reading
Concerns about conservation
A north-central Illinois farmer says he’s concerned federal cuts to the USDA will stymie the adoption of conservation practices across the country. Brian Corkill, who farms in Henry & Stark Counties, says the Conservation Stewardship Program was instrumental in his adoption of cover crops over a decade ago. “We experimented on our own a little…… Continue Reading
SAF investor expects “100x growth” in next decade
The CEO of a company that invests in sustainable aviation fuel production predicts tremendous growth in the next decade. Mihir Dange with XCF Global says SAF, which is now being rebranded as synthetic aviation fuel by the Trump administration, will play a monumental role in decarbonizing the aviation industry. “There is going to be a…… Continue Reading
Overuse of corn rootworm traits can reduce ROI
An entomologist at Purdue University says overreliance on corn-rootworm resistant traits has reduced profitability for some farmers. Christian Krupke says states in the Eastern Corn Belt have used the trait the most, which has impacted its efficacy. “If you’re using Bt rootworm corn in a state like Indiana, ideally you would back off on that…… Continue Reading
Former USSEC chair says don’t panic over trade dispute with China, yet
A former chairman of the US Soybean Export Council says there’s still time to ease tensions with China before there’s significant impact to US soybean farmers. Lance Rezac of Kansas tells Brownfield, “Right now is a good time to have a trade war because right now they typically buy Brazil beans anyway for the most…… Continue Reading
Cover crop benefits with spring moisture
A farmer in southeastern Minnesota is hopeful cover crops will help him return to spring fieldwork sooner following recent rains. Ed McNamara of Goodhue says cover crops dry the soil out. “It basically acts like a dehumidifier because as the plant is green and growing, it’s sucking moisture out. So any moisture that you get,…… Continue Reading
Beck’s manager in Upper Midwest sees large increase in corn acres
A regional manager for Beck’s Hybrids says farmers in the Upper Midwest are shifting more acres to corn. Heather Morris is based in North Dakota and covers the Dakotas, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. “Sales never stop, and (earlier this month) actually a grower had decided to shift even more of his bean acres into corn. So…… Continue Reading
Pork export sales fall to marketing year low
Pork export sales dropped to a marketing year low during the week ending April 17th. The USDA says China canceled a large amount U.S. pork, at least partially because of the ongoing tariff battle between the world’s largest economies. Several other key pork buyers did make a weekly purchase, but either at lesser amounts or…… Continue Reading
Scout covers extra for cutworms
The coordinator of the Illinois Agricultural Pest Survey at the University of Illinois says the arrival of black cutworm moth flights across the Midwest could pose a challenge to fields with cover crops. Kelly Estes says the pests are here to lay eggs, and they’re attracted to fields with growth. “When you look across the…… Continue Reading
