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

USDA cuts 2024 soybean guess slightly, increases corn

The USDA has raised its 2024 production guess for corn slightly, while lowering the outlook for soybeans. This year’s corn crop is now pegged at 15.186 billion bushels, up less than 1% from August on a half a bushel increase in the average yield estimate to 183.6 bushels per acre. Harvested area was left at…… Continue Reading

Variable early harvest results in southern IL

A southern Illinois agronomist says many farmers in his area remain optimistic about the crop despite seeing mixed early harvest results. John Pike, who’s based in Williamson County, tells Brownfield… “We’ve got a wide planting window which will lead to a very wide harvest window and a lot of variability.”  He says, “There are some…… Continue Reading

Consider a defensive approach to grain marketing

The chief commodities economist with StoneX Group says farmers should consider a defensive approach to grain marketing as commodity prices remain lower than previous years. Arlan Suderman tells Brownfield “it’s not necessarily how much we can make, but what can we do to defend the equity we’ve built in our farms in recent years, being…… Continue Reading

Playlist

Powered By SoCast