The U.S. hog herd got a little bit smaller over the past year and could see further declines. The USDA says the domestic hog and pig inventory on March 1st, 2025 was 74.512 million head, slightly below March 1st, 2024, when many analysts had been expecting an increase. That included a 1% decline in the…… Continue Reading
HPAI hits Indiana again, this time in Kosciusko County
Another case of highly pathogenic avian influenza has been detected in Indiana. The state board of animal health says HPAI was found in a commercial table egg pullet facility in northeast Indiana. Denise Derrer Spears says additional cases could impact efforts to rebuild the state’s poultry sector. “The illness is quick and severe and just within a couple…… Continue Reading
MO Farm Bureau health plan advances
The Missouri Senate has advanced a bill that would bring Missouri Farm Bureau another step closer to offering a health plan to its members. Senate Bill 79 provides an exception in statute for the non-profit membership organization to offer a health plan, outlined as a priority for the farm group. The bill will now be…… Continue Reading
Non-plastic soy-based wrap takes home top prize at 2025 Soy Innovation Competition
Photo provided by the Indiana Soybean Alliance. A group of Purdue University students developed a non-plastic soy-based wrap that won top prize at the 31st annual Student Soybean Innovation Competition. Purdue University environmental and natural resources engineering sophomore Claire Eckhardt explains the product. “SoyShield is a self adhesive, flexible thermoplastic film that we essentially marketed for both lab uses…… Continue Reading
DEKALB launches new sorghum products in central U.S.
Sorghum is expected to be an attractive crop for areas experiencing drier than usual field conditions. Bryan Thomas with DEKALB says there are two new varieties of sorghum available in 2025. He says DKS49-76 and DKS43-76 have done well in field trials. The varieties yield well for growers in Kansas, Missouri and Illinois. Supplies are…… Continue Reading
Spring field conditions improving in Minnesota
Farmers in Minnesota and many other Midwest states are waiting for better conditions to begin field preparations for planting. University of Minnesota Extension crops educator Dave Nicolai says like last spring, there’s not a lot of snow cover. “That being said, we had some earlier precipitation which helped in terms of moisture. But we are…… Continue Reading
Ag economist concerned over ongoing tariff spats
A longtime agricultural economist says he’s concerned about the industry’s outlook. Dr. David Kohl, professor emeritus at Virginia Tech University, says the ongoing threat of tariffs are weighing on agriculture. “I think we have to be very concerned about counter tariffs.” He says, “In other words, we put tariffs on automobiles, they come in with…… Continue Reading
Cash dairy: Cheese & butter up, whey & NDM down Thursday
Cash dairy prices were mixed Thursday on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Dry whey was down $0.0050 at $0.4950. One sale was recorded at that price. Forty-pound cheese blocks were up $0.0175 at $1.6475. Six sales were recorded, ranging from $1.6275 to $1.6475. Cheese barrels were up $0.0050 at $1.6350. One sale was recorded at that price. …… Continue Reading
Farmer says winter wheat acres likely lower in South Dakota
A farmer in south-central South Dakota says there’s last minute planting decisions being made as small grain planting continues. “I hate to say it, but there’s a lot of skepticism, not a lot of optimism, because the ag economy is pretty soft.” Bryan Jorgensen sells certified seed and says there’s been more farmers buying spring…… Continue Reading
The acreage puzzle
An extension rice agronomist says spring acreage decisions are a toss-up in Arkansas. “It’s as big of jigsaw puzzle as we’ve seen in a long time, because nothing is penciling for anyone.” Jarrod Hardke with University of Arkansas Extension tells Brownfield more corn acres are possible and… “It looks like some of the others who…… Continue Reading
