Under Secretary Taylor: Ag trade remains a priority for Biden admin

The USDA’s Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs says ag trade has been a priority for the Biden administration in 2024. Alexis Taylor tells Brownfield the agency has focused on market diversification. “Sixty percent of our food and agricultural exports go to our top four markets,” she said. “That’s why we created the…Continue Reading

Soybeans up, watching harvest results

Soybeans were higher on fund and technical buying. The trade’s watching early harvest activity, with mixed results in some key growing areas. That followed a stretch of drier than normal weather with high temperatures in parts of the region, which evidently impacted yield. Drought is an early concern in portions of Brazil. That could widen…Continue Reading

“Average” sugarbeet crop in west-central and southern Minnesota

The sugarbeet harvest pace is close to normal in west-central Minnesota. Jerry Trotter with the Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative says the pre-pile process was slightly delayed. “By two weeks this year, that was largely due to the projected crop size. And so far it has gone as expected.” He tells Brownfield it looks to…Continue Reading

Broiler hatchery holds higher trend

Broiler sets and placements continue to move above year ago levels. The USDA says 237.473 million broiler-type eggs were set into incubation, dropping 6.427 million on the week, but that was also up 3% on the year, continuing to point to a year-over-year gain in production. Average hatchability was unchanged at 79.7%. Placements of broiler-type…Continue Reading

Considering less fall tillage

A carbon specialist wants farmers to consider doing less fall tillage. Clay Craighton with Agoro Carbon Alliance says depending on certain circumstances and soil types, tillage is necessary. “But do we need to do it to the extent that we normally did is the question. Where we used to field cultivate, could a vertical till…Continue Reading

Work continues on clean fuel production tax credit

The Under Secretary of Farm Production and Conservation at the USDA says the agency continues to work closely with the Department of Treasury on the 45Z clean fuel production tax credit. Robert Bonnie tells Brownfield improvements to the credit can make biofuels more attractive for the new Sustainable Aviation Fuel market. “As we look at…Continue Reading

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