The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service says there hasn’t been noticeable northward movement of New World screwworm in recent weeks. Ethan Lane with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association says this is promising news. “It would appear that the 100 million flies a week being applied on target as was needed is doing what…… Continue Reading
U.S. makes trade deal with Vietnam
President Donald Trump says U.S. and Vietnam have reached a preliminary trade deal and a commodities economist says he’s optimistic the deal will open markets for U.S. ag commodities. Arlan Suderman with Stone X Group says not many details are known, but price will be a factor in the commodities Vietnam decides to buy. “It…… Continue Reading
New partnership aims to increase support for farmers, ethanol
A president of a county corn growers association says a new partnership with a Nebraska-based ethanol plant is raising awareness for clean burning fuels. Mike Bergen of Hamilton County tells Brownfield that his association and KAAPA Ethanol recognize the importance of locally grown corn. “We’ve seen time and time again to delivering to an end…… Continue Reading
Cash dairy prices were mostly lower Wednesday
Cash dairy prices were mostly lower Wednesday on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Dry whey was up $0.01 at $0.6050. No sales were recorded. Forty-pound cheese blocks were down $0.0475 at $1.6750. Four sales were recorded, ranging from $1.6750 to $1.68. Cheese barrels were down $0.0050 to $1.72. Three sales were recorded, ranging from $1.72 to…… Continue Reading
Buckeye Tick Test helps producers track disease
An assistant professor in ag and natural resources at Ohio State says a new testing service helps producers identify and screen ticks for disease found on livestock. Timothy McDermott says there has been an increase in activity in the last few years. “We’ve gone from one tick of medical importance 20 years ago to five now, including…… Continue Reading
Iowa farmer anticipates slow expansion of U.S. cattle herd
An eastern Iowa crop and livestock producer anticipates a slow rebuilding of the U.S. cattle herd. Billie Danner, who grows corn, soybeans, and has a contract cattle feeding operation near West Liberty, says cattle inventories are at their lowest level in decades. “Since what, somewhere in the 1950’s. And with feeder cattle (and) fat cattle…… Continue Reading
Important ag provisions included in Wisconsin budget package
Wisconsin’s legislature plans to vote Wednesday, July 2nd on the biennial budget package. Farmer and 49th Assembly District representative Travis Tranel tells Brownfield several programs good for agriculture and rural communities will be funded. “At the end of the day, we were able to fund the dairy processor grants, 800-thousand for that, meat processor grants,…… Continue Reading
Michigan wheat growers advised to keep preharvest sprouting in check
Michigan State University Extension’s wheat specialist says the risk of disease heading into harvest should be limited. Dennis Pennington tells Brownfield, “Some parts of the state, we are three-quarters of the way through the grain fill period.” “When you get disease infection that late in the growing season, the amount of damage done by a…… Continue Reading
Kansas winter wheat harvest picks up pace
The CEO of Kansas Wheat says harvest is finally in full swing despite some weather delays. Justin Gilpin says the pace has picked up over the last week. “We’re making pretty good progress where they are able to get in the fields and haven’t been fighting the weather like we have in the central part…… Continue Reading
Interest rates loom over tight margin environment
High interest rates continue to loom over farmers dealing with tight crop margins. Compeer Financial ag economist Megan Roberts says working at a financial institution, the number growers ask about the most is not grain related. “It is interest rate-related, and that seems to be a pretty hot topic not just within agriculture but across…… Continue Reading
