A technical services representative with Central Life Sciences says insect control is critical in many aspects of farming and the food supply chain. Johnny Wilson tells Brownfield, “Insects have an effect on every single one of those supply chain points. Whether it’s on-farm and just dealing with overall grain loss, or at an elevator where…… Continue Reading
Michigan plans for expanded phosphorus reduction efforts
Agriculture’s role in reducing phosphorus runoff was the main focus during the State of the Western Lake Erie Basin Conference in Michigan. Dr. Laura Johnson is the Chief Science Officer for the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. “It isn’t just any agriculture you’re going to see these losses, and it isn’t that you see…… Continue Reading
U.S. hog herd gets a little larger
The U.S. hog inventory grew modestly over the past year. The USDA says that on June 1st, there were 75.137 million hogs and pigs in the U.S., slightly above a year ago, with a 1% increase in market hogs to 69.158 million head canceling out a fractional decrease for the breeding herd at The March…… Continue Reading
Trade requires more than a handshake
The president of the National Farmers Union says it’s been encouraging to see the Trump administration pause the on-again, off-again tariffs to work on trade deals. But Rob Larew says U.S. agriculture needs more than a handshake. “We’re going to need to see very concrete actions taken on the part of China, who has a…… Continue Reading
Dairy cold storage stocks up from April, down on year
There’s more cheese and butter in cold storage. USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service reports butter stocks at the end of May were up 7% from last month, but down 5% from a year ago. Natural cheese stocks were up 1% from April, but down 2% on the year. Most of the stored cheese is in…… Continue Reading
Severe weather impact to U.S. crop unclear
Eric Snodgrass with Nutrien Ag Solutions says more will be known in the next month about how recent storms have affected U.S. crop production. “We’ll be able to gather information from satellites to see if there are any holes that have been punched into the Corn Belt by the bad weather.” He says there have…… Continue Reading
Anaerobic digester helps Indiana dairy farm boost sustainability
An Indiana dairy farmer says implementing an anaerobic digester on his operation has helped improve energy efficiency and sustainability. Ryan Rogers, row crop producer and co-owner of Homestead Dairy, says the digester has dual benefits. “It’s giving you a product which is the methane gas,” he says. “The readily available nutrients that are more available on your…… Continue Reading
Be on the lookout this season for red crown rot
An agronomist says red crown rot pressure is building across the Midwest and farmers should be ready to scout for the disease this summer. Blake Miller with Syngenta says the fungus was first discovered in Illinois and has likely spread to other states. He says it mimics sudden death syndrome. “In a central Indiana, Illinois,…… Continue Reading
Proactive approach to fungicide
An agronomist encourages farmers to consider a proactive approach to fungicide use. Darrin Holder with Winfield United says there’s a growing database that shows a favorable return on investment. “I tell people all the time, the day you lock in your hybrid for the following year, if you have access to this type of data,…… Continue Reading
Klobuchar joins governors in expressing SNAP cut concerns
The Ranking Member of the Senate Ag Committee has concerns about proposed cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Amy Klobuchar says the One Big Beautiful Bill would raise grocery costs for many families. “Take food away from millions of families (and) fund tax breaks for the wealthy, all for that purpose.” The Democratic Senator…… Continue Reading
