The director of Indiana’s State Department of Agriculture says a new meat processing facility could help boost the state’s turkey industry. Don Lamb says Whitewater Processing recently broke ground on a $28.5 million facility in Dearborn County. “We really want to encourage meat processing and packaging here in the state,” he says. “We love the…… Continue Reading
Changes in USDA policy could impact the future of solar energy expansion
Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins recently announced that the USDA would no longer provide funding through the Rural Development Business and the Industry Guaranteed Loan Program for solar or wind to be installed on productive farmland. David Widmar with Agricultural Economic Insights says he’s concerned this new change could impact the future of solar energy production. “There…… Continue Reading
Tariffs complicate relationship with U.S. ethanol’s top customer Canada
There are concerns politics could disrupt U.S. ethanol exports to its top customer. American Coalition for Ethanol senior vice president Ron Lamberty says for more than two years Canada has been the top export destination for U.S. ethanol. “They wouldn’t have any of that ‘what about food versus fuel?’ They didn’t have all that in…… Continue Reading
Cash dairy prices mixed Thursday
Cash dairy prices were mixed Thursday at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Dry whey was up $0.0025 at $0.57. Five sales were recorded, ranging from $0.5650 to $0.57. Forty-pound cheese blocks tumbled below the barrel price, down $0.0875 at $1.78. Five sales were recorded, ranging from $1.78 to $1.84. Cheese barrels remained unchanged for a third straight…… Continue Reading
Another big week for new crop corn export sales
New crop corn continues to be a big bright spot for U.S. exports. The USDA says those new crop corn sales during the week ending August 14th topped 110 million bushels thanks to the U.S. price advantage over competing origins. New crop soybean export sales were above a week ago, with more than half of…… Continue Reading
Plant Based Products Council backs Ag BIO Act in Senate
One ag group says a bill in the U.S. Senate would help accelerate the growth of the U.S. bioeconomy. James Glueck, executive director of the Plant Based Products Council, says the Ag BIO Act would help scale up biomanufacturing capacity and open new markets for farmers. “It would reauthorize some of USDA’s loan programs that…… Continue Reading
ACE Conference asks question: What are we going to do with all these bushels?
The ACE Ethanol Conference kicked off Thursday in Sioux Falls, South Dakota with discussions about how to grind more of the anticipated record U.S. corn crop. American Coalition for Ethanol board president Dave Sovereign says expectations are for a huge U.S. corn crop this fall. “What are we going to do with these bushels? Fortunately…… Continue Reading
Illinois farmer expecting average crop, says more rain is needed
A southern Illinois farmer says crop conditions have been steady throughout the growing season. “We’re not going to have that bumper crop we’re talking about, but I think we’re going to have an average crop,” said Kenneth Hartman Jr. Hartman, who farms in Monroe County, tells Brownfield he’s currently concerned about soil moisture. “We have…… Continue Reading
Economist says uncertainty will continue in 2026
A former chief economist with American Farm Bureau says ongoing uncertainty in the ag economy will likely continue in 2026. Roger Cryan says there are plenty of questions surrounding trade and when purchases of U.S. commodities might begin to improve prices. “Who’s going to by our product? What kind of impact is it going to…… Continue Reading
Cooperative program helping students find careers in agriculture
An Indiana-based cooperative program is helping recently graduated high school students find careers in agriculture. Jacey Wilhelm from Connersville says Keystone Cooperative’s Securing Experience and Employee Development, or SEED Professionals, is a two-year rotational cohort that features on-the-job development opportunities. “It was hard to pick a major if I were to go to college,” she…… Continue Reading
