Fertilizer prices continue to rise

The president of the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association says fertilizer prices continue to climb.                     KJ Johnson says global factors are weighing on all varieties of fertilizer. “There’s Russia, you’re talking China, you’re talking Morocco, talking about import duties, stuff like that.”  He says, “I mean, there’s an import duty on phosphates. China also produces…… Continue Reading

Pest pressure hitting corn and soybeans

A cropping systems specialist with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln says insect pressure has been extremely variable this season. Ron Seymore tells Brownfield western bean cutworm infestations have been unusually high in corn. “The moth flight was very high. That insect will lay its eggs on the corn as its tasseling and the eggs will hatch…… Continue Reading

Cash dairy prices end the week mixed

Cash dairy prices were mixed Friday at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.    Dry whey was up $0.01 at $0.58.  Six sales were recorded, ranging from $0.5750 to $0.58.  Forty-pound cheese blocks were up $0.0250 at $1.85.  Three sales were recorded, ranging from $1.8350 to $1.85.  Cheese barrels were up $0.0025 at $1.7975.  No sales were recorded. …… Continue Reading

Soybean aphids nearing thresholds in northwest Minnesota

A northwest Minnesota farmer tells Brownfield soybean aphid pressure is at or near threshold levels. Blair Hoseth farms near Mahnomen. “We’ve sprayed one field (for aphids), and then we’ve had some in another field. But the beneficials seem like they’ve done a decent job this year, so if we have a little patience to leave…… Continue Reading

Weather challenges make putting up hay difficult

Persistently wet weather this summer has frustrated many alfalfa growers, including Jolene Riessen in northwest Iowa. “The deal with the alfalfa is just trying to get it up around the rain showers. It’s been a real challenge this year.” Riessen farms near Ida Grove and tells Brownfield it took a long time to finish the…… Continue Reading

Making a lasting impact on the ag industry

This year’s Purdue Extension Emerging Women in Agriculture Leadership Award winner says she wants to make a lasting impact on the industry. Miami County native Alexandra Merritt says her passion started for agriculture started from working on the family farm. “Through 4-H and my passion for my county, I wanted to constantly give back to…… Continue Reading

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