A leader with the non-profit Farm Rescue says the organization continues to expand its efforts to aid farm and ranch families that are facing a crisis. Executive director Tim Sullivan says they are currently operating in 10 states. “We were at 600 families served six years ago. We are currently at 1220 families served right…… Continue Reading
Farmers awarded for conservation work at 2025 Indiana State Fair
Fifty-three farmers were recognized for their contributions to conservation during this year’s Indiana State Fair. Fountain County farmer Dan Hesler was recently named a River Friendly Farmer Award winner. “We border the north part of Shade State Park,” he says. “Sugar Creek is right in my backyard, which ultimately feeds into the Wabash River. We’ve…… Continue Reading
Ethanol production below last week, above last year
U.S. ethanol numbers paint a mixed picture for supply and demand. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says ethanol production averaged 1.081 million barrels per day, down 15,000 on the week, but up 14,000 on the year. Iowa State University’s Center for Agricultural and Rural Development says the estimated operating margin for the average Iowa plant…… Continue Reading
Two ways to cut costs raising cotton
Low commodity prices and high input costs can make raising cotton a challenge, but a cotton specialist at the University of Missouri says farmers can cut back on some costs and still raise a good crop. Bradley Wilson says it’s expensive to raise cotton and one way to lower costs is to reduce seeding rates…… Continue Reading
Ag economist expects fewer prevent plant acres
An ag economist with University of Missouri Extension says there might not be as many prevent plant acres as initially expected in the United States. A wet spring caused planting delays and some prevent plant in the Missouri Bootheel, but Ben Brown says “I didn’t see a lot of unplanted fields winding down on a…… Continue Reading
Indiana farmer says early spring rainfall impacted root development
A farmer in southeast Indiana says he’s concerned about root development after excessive moisture this spring. Mike Koehne raises food-grade corn and soybeans and tells Brownfield.. “Mother Nature hasn’t been very good to us, but I sure hope she doesn’t shut it off now since we got everything planted and everything’s growing. The root systems…… Continue Reading
Soybean crop headed in positive direction, still lots to be determined
A plant pathologist with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln says mid-summer rains have helped improve variable crop conditions. Dylan Mangel tells Brownfield, “It didn’t look great for quite awhile around the Fourth of July or so and then things started to even out and fields look pretty good right now.” He says there are still…… Continue Reading
Fischbach encouraged by trade movement
A member of the U.S. House Subcommittee on Trade is encouraged by actions taken by the Trump administration to improve U.S export business. Minnesota Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach says there’s been a lot of movement on the trade front the past few months. “I think it’s exciting for the ag industry because we are going to…… Continue Reading
New number; new perspective
Commentary. Last year about this time, I wrote a column of which the opening line read: “Just keeping things in perspective…” On August 19, 2024, the number that was the focus of my writing was thirty-five trillion. But, alas, a year has passed, and a new number has taken its place. It is time to…… Continue Reading
New Illinois Soybean Association chair prioritizing collaboration
The new chairman of the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) says collaboration is his top priority. Bryan Severs, who farms in Vermillion County, says agricultural commodity groups need to work together now more than ever. “We need to make our voices heard because the farmer is being affected by these tariffs more than any other operation…… Continue Reading
