U.S. Congressman Randy Feenstra says farm bill delays have been frustrating. The Iowa Republican tells Brownfield the 2018 Farm Bill has been extended twice and now the partial shutdown of the federal government is preventing lawmakers from working on a new five-year farm bill. “We were planning to take it through the ag committee in…… Continue Reading
Foreign phytophthora strain found at Wisconsin plant nursery
Wisconsin officials say a foreign plant disease has been found at a Washington County nursery. The Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection says Cypress Mortality is a disease caused by the pathogen Phytophthora austrocedri, and affects common nursery plants like Juniper, Arborvitae, and False Cypress. The Washington County infection caused severe damage to a…… Continue Reading
Soy Transportation Coalition urges feds to cut costs in farm supply chain
The head of the Soy Transportation Coalition says lowering costs in the ag transportation system should be a top federal priority. Mike Steenhoek tells Brownfield, “They need to be engaged in subtraction math, not addition math. They need to be focused on any opportunity to shave cents per ton off the delivered price to a…… Continue Reading
Minnesota farmer wraps up harvest in just 16 days
A south-central Minnesota farmer completed harvest in just over two weeks. Wanda Patsche, who grows corn and soybeans near Welcome, says harvest began toward the end of September. “We harvested 16 straight days. We started with soybeans and as soon as we were done with that we went right into corn. The crops definitely needed…… Continue Reading
Frustration mounts as USDA declines shutdown briefing, says Rep. Craig
The Ranking Member of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee is frustrated with the USDA for a lack of transparency during the government shutdown. Angie Craig of Minnesota tells Brownfield Democrats in the House and Senate requested a bipartisan meeting with the department earlier this month. “The USDA declined to provide us a briefing on what…… Continue Reading
Muddy fields, pests, and disease concerns slow Kansas wheat planting
Central Kansas farmer Paul Penner says excessive moisture this summer and fall has been extremely problematic as he’s planting his winter wheat crop. “One neighbor that had his drill out, you could tell his openers and press wheels were full of mud. It’s been a challenge to get the wheat in.” He says the wet…… Continue Reading
First confirmed Asian longhorned tick in Kansas is concerning for livestock producers
The associate director of the Kansas Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory says the Asian longhorned tick is a serious threat to the livestock industry. Gregg Hanzlicek says female ticks can cause deadly health effects in cattle. “The Asian longhorned tick is the major vector for Theileria orientalis,” he says. “The clinical signs are very similar to anaplasmosis. That’s the…… Continue Reading
NCGA calls for ag aid that expands markets, boosts ethanol demand
The chairman of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) says a proposed $10 billion assistance package would help many farmers survive the slumping ag economy. Illinois farmer Kenny Hartman Jr. says farmers are feeling the squeeze of tight margins. “It’s a bad situation right now with these input costs so high and the price is…… Continue Reading
A drier pattern for the Heartland, stormy in the West; mild Oct. temps to continue for most
The post A drier pattern for the Heartland, stormy in the West; mild Oct. temps to continue for most appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. … Continue Reading
Atmospheric river event favors increased storminess over the Western U.S.
The post Atmospheric river event favors increased storminess over the Western U.S. appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. … Continue Reading
