An ag economist says the farm equipment market is struggling. Ernie Goss with Creighton University says the latest Rural Mainstreet Index revealed higher input costs, tight credit conditions, and low farm commodity prices are having a negative impact on equipment purchases. “That spills over into the broader economy,” he said. “For example, you’ve got agricultural…… Continue Reading
Strong export demand could impact corn market
An ag economist at Purdue University says export demand could help stabilize the market for farmers continuing to face economic uncertainty. Michael Langemeier says corn exports remain strong. “Part of that’s due to low corn prices,” he says. “When prices are low, other countries want to buy our corn and certainly, given the fact that we…… Continue Reading
New Indiana Barn Foundation executive director focused on membership growth
The new executive director of the Indiana Barn Foundation says she hopes to expand the organization’s mission and membership. Christine Page says the nonprofit helps preserve historical barns across the state. “It reflects our history,” she says. “It reflects our present too, because a lot of these barns are still being used and are on…… Continue Reading
Cash dairy prices end the week mixed
Cash dairy prices were steady to lower except for cheese Friday on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Dry whey was down $0.0150 at $0.5575. Five sales were recorded, ranging from $0.5575 to $0.5625. Forty-pound cheese blocks were up $0.0025 at $1.6425. Fourteen sales were recorded, ranging from $1.64 to $1.6425. Cheese barrels were up $0.01 at…… Continue Reading
Midday cash livestock markets
Cash cattle country is off to a quiet start Friday after some light business took place on Thursday. A light trade was reported by a Nebraska regional at $380 on a dressed basis, $1 higher than last week. Those cattle were set for delivery the week of August 4th. An additional 200 head of cattle…… Continue Reading
Soybean gall midge detected in southeast Minnesota
Soybean gall midge larvae have been found in southeast Minnesota. University of Minnesota Extension entomologist Bob Koch says the detection in Dakota County indicates the pest is spreading eastward. “There have been detections over the years across much of southwest Minnesota and almost into the Twin Cities Metro area, with a detection from sweet clover…… Continue Reading
Wisconsin Soybean growers can see checkoff investments first-hand
The Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board is using a national model to show state growers where their checkoff dollars are being spent. Farmer and Board President Jonathan Gibbs tells Brownfield he has participated in the See for Yourself Tour through the United Soybean Board’s national checkoff and wanted to do the same thing at the state…… Continue Reading
Nebraska farmer monitoring top-end yield loss
A southwest Nebraska farmer says several rounds of severe weather have impacted crop health. Roric Paulman raises a variety of crops including popcorn, soybeans and corn near Sutherland, and says there is significant top-end yield loss. “We’ve had a pretty rough spring. A lot of hail early on. Then we had 10 days of really…… Continue Reading
CLARITY Act passes U.S. House
A U.S. House Agriculture committee member says passing the bipartisan CLARITY Act gives her hope for future legislative work in Congress. Michigan Democrat Kristin McDonald Rivet tells Brownfield, “It was nice to have one of the very first issues that feels like it went straight down the middle, you know, common sense, let’s get something…… Continue Reading
Bill would allow government to track, provide oversight of foreign investment of ag land
Bipartisan legislation that’s recently been introduced into the U.S. House would address concerns about foreign farmland ownership. Nebraska Congressman Don Bacon says it amends the Agriculture Foreign Investment Disclosure Act (AFIDA) to allow the federal government to track land transactions with another country. “We really don’t know the scope of the problem right now. We…… Continue Reading
