Farmers explore vegetable opportunities

Farmers are learning about adding vegetables to their row crop operations.  Steve Rachut grows onions, potatoes, corn, and soybeans near Fertile, where he hosted a Practical Farmers of Iowa field day Wednesday. He says there’s interest in vegetable production. “And trying to figure out if there’s a way to try and grow more vegetables and…… Continue Reading

IL Congresswoman: Trade message resonates

Illinois Representative Nikki Budzinski says the importance of trade is not lost on the state’s Congressional delegation. “I think we do need to be doing more, and I am looking for new markets for our growers.”  She says, “I know that’s something that I hear very loud and clear that we need.” Earlier this year,…… Continue Reading

Beryl rains are “perfect timing” for many states

A senior science fellow with Nutrien Ag Solutions says the widespread rains that Tropical Storm Beryl brought through the Corn Belt this week was perfectly timed. Eric Snodgrass says parts of Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan received up to four inches of rain. “I look at this as being a major deciding factor on the…… Continue Reading

Modest weekly changes for ethanol production, supply

U.S. ethanol production declined slightly last week. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says production averaged 1.054 million barrels per day, down 10,000 on the week, partially due to flooding impacting transportation in and out of plants. That was still up 22,000 on the year, with strong operating margins supporting production. Iowa State University’s Center for…… Continue Reading

July outlooks forecast heat and rains for Corn Belt

A National Weather Service meteorologist says summertime heat is expected to return to the Corn Belt. Ed Shimon says forecasts show above normal temperatures are likely this month. “There’s a pretty strong heat wave in the western third of the United States, and that’s going to start to shift to the east for the middle…… Continue Reading

Productive soil gives us a head start

Commentary Hair done. Make-up applied. I was all ready for an in-studio video shoot when I looked at my hands and saw that despite the soap, water and scrubbing, my fingernails reflected the hours I’d spent the day before picking fat and juicy blueberries, harvesting peas, pulling weeds, and digging around in my flowerbeds. I…… Continue Reading

Farmers continue to hold onto grain

USDA says there’s plenty of old crop corn, soybeans and wheat in grain bins that haven’t been marketed and a market analyst says it’s expected to stay that way until commodity prices improve. Naomi Blohm with Total Farm Marketing says farmers have been holding out for a market bounce higher. “At any point, anywhere from…… Continue Reading

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