Farmers have very little time to sign up for the general Conservation Reserve Program. USDA says producers and landowners have from now until March 29th to submit offers to their local Farm Service Agency office. The general CRP program helps with the establishment of grasses and trees to control erosion and improve water quality and…… Continue Reading
The U.S. Department of Labor has announced $90 million in grants are available for farmworker training and career services but some in the agricultural industry say the efforts are misdirected. National Council of Agricultural Employers President Michael Marsh calls the program ironic. “We are in the midst of an ag labor shortage in the United…… Continue Reading
May corn closed at $4.26 and 1/4, down 2 and 3/4 centsMay soybeans closed at $11.49, down 6 centsMay soybean meal closed at $329.90, down $3.60May soybean oil closed at 45.04, down 13 pointMay wheat closed at $5.51, down 13 centsApr. live cattle closed at $188.00, up $1.32Apr. feeder cattle closed at $257.17, down $1.42Apr.…… Continue Reading
A U.S. Senator is asking Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack to review USDA’s telework policies. Iowa’s Joni Ernst tells Brownfield an increase in accountability is needed to help ensure USDA employees are serving farmers and ranchers. “This is not Joni Ernst’s opinion,” Ernst said. “This is coming from other government agencies that are charged with tracking…… Continue Reading
Soybeans were modestly lower on profit taking and technical selling. Contracts held above the recent lows, but the trade seems reluctant to break overhead resistance due to fundamental factors. South American weather generally looks favorable, with large crops expected in Argentina and Brazil, and export demand for U.S. wheat continues to be slow because of…… Continue Reading
Milk futures and the cash dairy markets were lower except for butter Tuesday on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. March Class III milk was down $0.18 at $16.52. April was down $0.33 at $16.25. May was down $0.19 at $16.86. June was down $0.18 at $17.44. July through January contracts ranged from unchanged in January to seventeen…… Continue Reading
A global strategist for grain and oilseeds with Rabobank says he’s keeping a close watch on South America’s crop production as harvest advances. Stephen Nicholson says Brazil’s first corn and soybean harvest are about halfway complete, but combines are moving fast. “It’s not going to be a record, but it will be a big soybean…… Continue Reading
The Michigan Sheep Producers Association president says he plans to expand this year as demand remains strong. Third-generation farmer Jason Scramlin raises purebred Polypay sheep in Hickory Corners. “We have kind of held back maybe the last two years,” he says. “I know interest rates are a little bit high right now, but they probably…… Continue Reading
The chair of the National Turkey Federation says several obstacles stand in the way of utilizing a high-path avian influenza vaccine. John Zimmerman, a turkey grower from Northfield, Minnesota, tells Brownfield the primary hurdle is trade. “This is a foreign animal disease, and any time we vaccinate it effects our trade relationships with some of…… Continue Reading
A conservation agronomist is working with farmers to overcome challenges that come with incorporating cover crops. Madelyn Celovsky with Michigan State University Extension tells Brownfield weather can be a barrier. “This year was especially challenging, with harvest being delayed,” she shares. “Farmers that were planning on planting cover crops, a lot of them didn’t get it…… Continue Reading
