Soybeans were modestly higher on short covering and technical buying after a wide-ranging session. Export sales were up on the week, but Brazil remains in control of the global market. The weekly total was 18.2 million bushels, China and Mexico topped the list, with a minor cancelation by unknown destinations. The 2023/24 pace continues to…… Continue Reading
Sara Evans and her estranged husband, Jay Barker, are back together after a few tumultuous years. Continue reading…… Continue Reading
February 2024 beef and pork production was the largest on record for any February. The USDA says the total of 4.554 billion pounds was up 7% on the year, with slaughter above year ago levels, helped by the additional business day thanks to the Leap Year. That did include year-to-year increases for heifer and sow…… Continue Reading
Farmers and firefighters are excited about a soybean-based firefighting foam that would replace existing products made with forever chemicals. Pat Mulooly with the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board is in Dalton, Georgia, where Cross Plains Solutions demonstrated the foam product they developed. “There is a fair amount of firefighters here that are very excited, and they…… Continue Reading
Milk futures and the cash dairy markets were steady to lower again Thursday on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. April Class III milk was down $0.43 at $15.74. May was down $0.23 at $16.25. June was down $0.30 at $16.99. July was down $0.27 at $17.77. August through February contracts ranged from unchanged in January and February to twenty-seven cents lower in…… Continue Reading
Insect pressure during the growing season could be higher than normal in parts of the Midwest experiencing mild winter conditions. University of Minnesota Extension integrated pest management specialist Bruce Potter says temperatures haven’t been consistently cold enough to knock back insect populations. “Especially stuff that’s wintering in the soil. These temperatures have been really mild,…… Continue Reading
Farmers in south central Illinois are worried about the lack of soil moisture heading into planting. David Kleinschmidt, owner of Progressive Agronomy Consulting, says the region is dry… “Comparing today’s date to a year ago and seeing where we fall with moisture, where we’re sitting right here in Montgomery County, we’re anywhere from 12 to…… Continue Reading
An ag economist says he’s looking for signs of herd expansion in the USDA’s reports this week. University of Missouri’s Scott Brown says he’s watching placements in Friday’s Cattle on Feed report – especially after the January numbers. “But, January was so cold there was a lot of discussion about how much placements were going…… Continue Reading
Agriscience programs are receiving $4 million in infrastructure improvement grants from the state of Michigan. State Agriscience Supervisor Mark Forbush tells Brownfield it’s the first time the Michigan Department of Education has made such an investment. “Somewhere around 85 programs across our state will get dollars between $20-$48,000 that they’ll use for capital expenses,” he…… Continue Reading
U.S. Congressman John Moolenaar of Michigan continues to express concern that rising labor costs are negatively impacting farms. During a hearing with Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack this morning, Moolenaar said the constant increases in the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) are unsustainable. “As the Secretary of Agriculture, how are you standing up for American farmers…… Continue Reading
