Agritourism could boost the bottom line of farms struggling with depressed commodity prices. University of Minnesota Extension educator DeeDee LeMier specializes in community economics and says farming has always been a field that requires exploring new crops, new technologies, and adjusting to changing weather and family dynamics. “If you have a lot of hands available…… Continue Reading
Soybeans drop on soybean oil, planting weather
Soybeans were sharply lower on fund and technical selling. Soybeans followed bean oil, which was down sharply on RVO concerns and the drop in crude oil. That drop in crude was tied to global supply expectations with reports Iran is willing to end its pursuit of nuclear weapons if sanctions are dropped. Soybean meal was…… Continue Reading
USDA to restore climate-focused webpages amid lawsuit
The USDA is expected to bring back climate-focused webpages after some farm and environmental groups recently filed a lawsuit. Rebecca Riley, managing director of food and agriculture with the Natural Resources Defense Council, says the USDA had purged web information on climate-smart farming, accessing federal loans, forest conservation, and rural clean energy projects. “USDA provides…… Continue Reading
EPA submits RVO proposal to White House OMB
The US Environmental Protection Agency has submitted its proposed renewable volume obligations to the White House Office of Management and Budget for review. Paul Winters is the Director of Public Affairs and Federal Communications with Clean Fuels Alliance America says it’s clear the industry is prepared to meet increased demand. “The 2026 volume should be…… Continue Reading
Ag Committee advances portion of reconciliation bill
The House Ag Committee advanced its portion of the budget reconciliation bill. Republican Derrick Van Orden from Wisconsin told the Ag Committee during Wednesday’s markup session farmers need certainty and this bill helps. “With reinvestment in our safety nets for our farmers, ag research advancements, tier one dairy cap increase, base acre adjustments, there’s just…… Continue Reading
EPA insecticide strategy “workable”
The president of the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association says farmers need to familiarize themselves with the EPA’s new insecticide strategy. KJ Johnson says it’s the agency’s next step in meeting court-ordered obligations under the Endangered Species Act. “I hear this many times, ‘With the new administration all this stuff is probably just going to…… Continue Reading
Crop emergence ahead of normal in Iowa
Emergence is ahead of normal in the nation’s top corn-producing state. According to USDA, 30 percent of the corn planted in Iowa has emerged as of Sunday. That’s four days ahead of last year and two days faster than the five-year average. Iowa Soybean Association research agronomist Shane Beck covers north-central and northeast Iowa and…… Continue Reading
Farmland values holding in north Iowa
An ag real estate agent says farmland values are holding up in northern Iowa despite pressure from low commodity prices and high interest rates. Austin Charlson with Land Proz says farms that are productive and well-tiled still generate a premium. “I was at a sale earlier this winter and it was a piece that rolls…… Continue Reading
Good week for new crop wheat export sales
New crop U.S. wheat export sales are solid. USDA data shows that even with the start of the new marketing year a couple of weeks away, new crop wheat sales are off to a hot start, boosted by a decline in price and the recent lower trend in the dollar. Unknown destinations was the big…… Continue Reading
Northern IL planting went well
A northern Illinois farmer says planting season went well. Cassie Dumoulin, who raises corn and hogs 60 miles northwest of Chicago, says corn planting is complete. “I think that’s a big stress relief when it comes to farmers, to get all their corn in the ground.” She says, “It’s long days, long hours and it’s…… Continue Reading
