A policy expert says year-round E-15 could lay the groundwork for additional higher blends of ethanol. “E15 is really a good proof point for consumers.” Chris Bliley, senior vice president for regulatory affairs, with Growth Energy says year-round approval of E15 could help grow demand for E30 and E85. “When it’s offered and consumers see…… Continue Reading
Warmth on the Plains builds eastward; scattered storms continue across the southern U.S.
Across the Corn Belt, dry weather accompanies a warming trend. Those conditions favor late-season planting efforts, as well as corn and soybean development. By June 8, Ohio (89% planted) was only one of three states—along with Kentucky and Pennsylvania—in which corn planting had not yet reached 90%, and the only state in which soybean emergence…… Continue Reading
Timely rains a gamechanger for cattle producer
Josh Worthington, a cattle producer in southwest Missouri, says the above normal, timely rains are a gamechanger this year. “We’re usually always two weeks away from a drought and I heard someone say for the first time in my life last week they think we might be three weeks away from a drought,” he says.…… Continue Reading
How you feed beef on dairy calves matters
Many dairy producers have found a new revenue stream breeding some cows to beef bulls, and either raising the beef animal or selling it. Researchers have been looking into how these calves are fed, and how that impacts rumen abscess development and overall rumen health. One study was done at Iowa State University and Extension,…… Continue Reading
Rain improves Missouri crop conditions
The recent rains across Missouri continue to help crop conditions. USDA says 75 percent of the state’s corn and soybeans are rated good to excellent. Corn planting is nearing completion and 83 percent of the soybeans are planted. Cotton conditions are rated 57 percent good to excellent with five precent of the crop squaring. Rice…… Continue Reading
Cattle, hog futures mostly higher to start the week
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live cattle were mostly higher, and feeders were higher ahead of the week’s direct business and support from the sharply higher boxed beef. August live cattle closed $.37 higher at $219.25 and October live cattle closed $.35 higher at $215.87. It was a typically quiet day for direct cash cattle…… Continue Reading
Moisture helps SD crop conditions and weed control
In southeast South Dakota, farmer Kevin Scott says the corn and soybeans look good thanks, in part, to timely rains. “Continued rains would be great, but we have decent moisture.” USDA says South Dakota’s corn is rated 64 percent good to excellent. Soybeans are rated 59 percent good to excellent. Scott says the rain has…… Continue Reading
Unplanted acres in Ohio raising concerns
A north central Ohio farmer says they just wrapped up the 2025 planting season last week. Patty Mann says this year’s slow progress resulted in switching a few corn acres to soybeans. “We got a few days to work. We got rain. We waited four or five days. It was stop and go, stop and…… Continue Reading
Arkansas farmer says planting season has been a challenge
A farmer from northeast Arkansas says this is one of the most frustrating planting seasons he’s ever experienced. Derek Haigwood of Newport says, “This is my 20th crop, and I have never prevented planted this many acres.” He says he’s taking Prevent Plant on 600 of the 3,400 acres he farms. “We went ahead and…… Continue Reading
Planting nearly complete in Wisconsin
Planting is winding down in Wisconsin. USDA says corn and soybean planting both reached 95 percent as of Sunday, with emergence of both crops slightly behind their respective five-year averages. Corn rated in good to excellent condition is at 74 percent, with 79 percent of soybeans called good to excellent. The post Planting nearly complete…… Continue Reading
