The USDA says China bought U.S. pork during the week ending May 15th. That was first purchase of U.S. pork by China since late March, when trade tensions between the two countries began to escalate. Both parties recently announced an agreement to temporarily reduce tariffs and engage in trade negotiations. Total pork sales were up…… Continue Reading
Farmers for Soil Health in a wait-and-see
The CEO of the United Soybean Board says it’s unclear what will happen with the Farmers for Soil Health sustainability initiative. “Like a lot of other programs, we’re in a wait-and-see at the moment.” Lucas Lentsch tells Brownfield… “We know, farmers know and every farmer in our board room understands the resiliency of agriculture and…… Continue Reading
Rains help improve growing conditions in Iowa
An extension agronomist says growing conditions are favorable across Iowa. Meaghan Anderson with Iowa State University says farmers recently received some much-needed rains. “I’ve seen a few fields where it looked like there was corn seed sitting in dry soil waiting to get a drink of water so that it could start that germination process.…… Continue Reading
Factors farmers may want to consider for replanting
An agronomist says there are several factors that farmers should consider before replanting after this year’s excessive rainfall. Trey Stephens with Beck’s Hybrids covers southeast Nebraska and says standing water in fields can become problematic. “(If) those plants are under ponding water from 24 to 48 hours oxygen begins to decrease, and you just start…… Continue Reading
Ag lending specialist sees more farmer exits
An ag lending specialist suggests a rising number of farmers are leaving the industry. Ashley Arrington with Ag Resource Management (ARM) says working capital began to erode on many operations last year as balance sheets weakened. “We had a much higher number than expected of farmers that we expected to come back when we were…… Continue Reading
Protecting stored grain from insects
A pest management expert says crop farmers should prioritize insect control in their stored grain. Miya Butler with Central Life Sciences says insects can interfere with grain quality and the ability to move grain into the market. “The economic loss can be felt throughout the grain storage process because we’re not able to deliver as…… Continue Reading
Spring planting delays turn into prevent plant
A Mississippi farmer says spring planting is more than one month behind schedule due to consistent rains and narrow planting windows. Philip Good tells Brownfield he’s lost track of how much rain the farm has received since Easter. “I seem to be stuck right on the front where it’s every day or in some days,…… Continue Reading
Zeldin: RFS volumes “coming soon”
The U.S. EPA administrator told lawmakers the agency will release its proposed Renewable Fuel Standard volumes for 2026 “very soon.” At a budget hearing with the U.S. Senate Environment Committee, Lee Zeldin said a draft proposed rule is currently at the Office of Management and Budget. “We’ll go through a rulemaking, which includes a public…… Continue Reading
Fusarium head blight applications should be soon
Michigan State University’s wheat breeder says a timely fungicide application during flowering is the most important management strategy for growers. Eric Olson tells Brownfield, “After flowering, look for those anthers.” “When those anthers turn yellow, you’ve got about four days to get that T3 fungicide down, so that’s something to look for probably in the…… Continue Reading
Glyphosate could be targeted in MAHA report
Some U.S. farmers remain concerned a new report from the Make America Healthy Again Commission could put crop protection tools at risk. The report is being released today and Blake Hurst, a farmer in Atchison County, Missouri, is the past president of Missouri Farm Bureau and he says glyphosate might be targeted. “The notion that…… Continue Reading
