A climatologist says he’s concerned about the severity of drought conditions in parts of the Eastern Corn Belt. Eric Hunt with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln says a large portion of Ohio is in desperate need of rain. “We’ve seen very widespread and intense drought formation across parts of Appalachia including southeastern Ohio and West Virginia…… Continue Reading
Minnesota Senate Majority Leader says farm visits will help shape policy
A leader in the Minnesota Senate plans to use feedback from farmers to help build a legislative agenda for 2025. Democrat Erin Murphy says she visited several farms over the summer and weather challenges came up frequently. When I was up in Moorhead meeting with a newer farmer, she talked about how some of her…… Continue Reading
USDA reduces 2024 cotton, rice crop expectations
The USDA has lowered its expectations for 2024 U.S. cotton and rice production modestly. Upland cotton is seen at just under 14 billion bales, 4% below August due to a reduction in yield, now pegged at 794 pounds per acre, but still up 19% on the year thanks to larger acreage totals with 2024 harvested…… Continue Reading
Rep. Hinson says Chinese ag drones threaten U.S. food supply
A U.S. Representative from Iowa says the use of Chinese-manufactured agriculture drones could be a threat to food security. Republican Ashley Hinson tells Brownfield the U.S. needs to push back against China’s supply of DJI spray drones. “They have sophisticated sensing technology designed to help monitor the health of crops and direct the spray to…… Continue Reading
Nebraska farmers benefitting from increase of soybean crush plants
A Nebraska Soybean Board member says the increase of crush plants has been beneficial to farmers. Mark Caspers tells Brownfield… “It improves their bases quite a lot and we get to utilize more of those bushels right here in Nebraska that gets converted into meal and I know a lot of that meal is going…… Continue Reading
Corn rootworm an issue for some in Nebraska
An agronomist with Hoegemeyer Hybrids says corn rootworm has been an issue for some Nebraska farmers. Craig Langemeier tells Brownfield… “The main problem with them is they’re going to feed on the roots. Maybe to the point where we may see just yield loss from a lack of a root system, but we also see…… Continue Reading
Modest changes for new crop corn, soybean carryout
The USDA made modest adjustments to 2024/25 U.S. corn and soybean ending stocks based on changes to production and 2023/24 ending stocks. New crop corn ending stocks were down 16 million bushels at 2.057 billion bushels due to solid old crop ethanol and export demand, which pulled 2024/25 beginning stocks, or 2023/24 ending stocks, lower…… Continue Reading
Using silage tarps for weed control
An associate professor of weed science at Purdue University says specialty crop growers have another option for weed control. Steven Meyers says silage tarps aren’t just for dairy farmers. “Essentially, small vegetable farmers have started to use them either as a stale seed bed application or for cover crop termination or for early season weed…… Continue Reading
Nebraska Farm Bureau introduces new healthcare program for members
Nebraska Farm Bureau members will soon have access to a new healthcare program. President Mark McHargue tells Brownfield the Nebraska Farm Bureau Health Plan rolls out October 1. “This is really kind of like insurance used to be. You’d go through underwriting and our experience with the partners that we’re partnering with, Tennessee Health insurance, still…… Continue Reading
Herbicides aren’t the only way to control weeds
A mechanical weed specialist says herbicides aren’t the only way to control weeds. Sam Oschwald Tilton says farmers need more options to increase profitability. “Organic agriculture can be extremely profitable because often we’re substituting natural systems for purchased inputs and what that means is that farmers are able to drastically lower the inputs,” he says. He tells…… Continue Reading
