New research into corn root volume and architecture is leading to a better understanding of hybrid selection and crop management. Jim Schwartz, director of research, agronomy, and PFR at Beck’s Hybrids, tells Brownfield they’ve teamed with Purdue, the University of Illinois, and others to intensely study the root mass of a corn plant… “Our data…… Continue Reading
A Senate Ag Committee member says Republicans are calling for a wage freeze to the H-2A program. Indiana’s Mike Braun tells Brownfield the Department of Labor is setting minimum wages for H-2A quest workers farmers can’t afford. “It’s been complicated even more by what’s going on in the border,” he says. “Most farmers I talk…… Continue Reading
Placements of cattle into U.S. feedlots surged in February. The USDA says February placements were larger than expected, up 10% on the year at 1.793 million head, due to generally better weather in the major U.S. feeding areas than in January and the extra business day due to the Leap Year. That’s the biggest February…… Continue Reading
Nashville has become a hotspot for the stars. Continue reading…… Continue Reading
The Wisconsin Corn Promotion Board’s Executive Director resigned Friday. In a statement, Board President Ryan Ripp says, “The Wisconsin Corn Promotion Board would like to thank Nicole Wagner for her years of service to the corn growers in Wisconsin. Wisconsin Corn made great strides in her time with the organization.” Ripp says the board is…… Continue Reading
“It has been an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family.” Continue reading…… Continue Reading
An ag banker says farmers are carrying more operating debt as production costs increase. Barry Benson, VP of Agribusiness Banking at FNBO, suggests the farm economy is becoming more challenging as commodity prices soften while input costs remain high. “So with higher debt levels and increased interest rates, that does really strain their cash flow.”…… Continue Reading
A record-setting warm winter has put fruit in the Midwest’s top-producing state at risk. “It not only broke the record, it really shattered it.” Michigan climatologist Jeff Andresen tells Brownfield winter temperatures in the Great Lakes state were more than 10 degrees warmer than ever recorded. “This has been the warmest winter we’ve had on…… Continue Reading
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association says the push-back on the USDA’s decision to allow imports of Paraguayan beef is solely about protecting the health of the U.S. cattle herd. Kent Bacus, director of Government Affairs with NCBA, says the US food supply is the safest in the world. “The information that was used to determine…… Continue Reading
A south-central Iowa farmer is preparing to begin spring fieldwork. Warren Bachman of Osceola says all his fertilizer was applied in the fall. “Basically other than changing the oil in a couple of tractors and greasing the corn planter and getting it out of the shed, we’re ready to go.” Speaking to Brownfield during Commodity…… Continue Reading
