The National FFA Organization has announced the top 16 finalists for its highest agricultural achievement, the American Star Awards. The American Star Farmer, American Star in Agribusiness, American Star in Agricultural Placement, and the American Star in Agriscience represent the best of the best among this year’s American Degree recipients. Each award recognizes FFA members…… Continue Reading
Learning about tassel wrapping in real time, agronomist says
An extension agronomist says there are some pollination concerns across parts of the Corn Belt. Meaghan Anderson with Iowa State University says several Midwestern states have some reported cases of what she calls “tassel wrapping” in corn. “The flag leaf on the corn plant is remaining tied up tightly around the tassels,” she said. “Even…… Continue Reading
USDA limits specialty sugar imports
The U.S. Department of Agriculture says it will not allow additional specialty sugar imports into the U.S. during the next fiscal year. The Foreign Agricultural Service this week announced the annual tariff-rate quotas—or TRQs—for imports of specialty sugars like organic or brown sugar were scaled back to meet minimum trade commitments under the WTO Uruguay Round…… Continue Reading
Economist concerned about struggling farm equipment market
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
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
