Broiler hatchery numbers were mixed on the week while maintaining a faster pace than last year. The USDA says 252.194 million broiler-type eggs were set into incubators, down 120,000 on the week, but up 2% on the year with average hatchability at 79.2%. 195.98 million broiler-type chicks were placed into meat production, up 513,000 from…… Continue Reading
Del Monte files Chapter 11 bankruptcy
Del Monte Foods has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. In a statement, the food products producer says, “it is pursuing a value-maximizing sale process as part of an overall strategic balance-sheet restructuring.” Many central Wisconsin farmers are under contract with Del Monte to raise vegetables for the Plover, Wisconsin canning facility. The company has secured…… Continue Reading
Permanent farmworker status could bring certainty
A national nonprofit representing farmworkers says fears of deportation and unclear immigration priorities put the food supply chain at risk. “More and more farms seem to be added to this list of workers not showing up for work.” Farmworker Justice CEO Ron Estrada says the administration is discussing possible solutions for undocumented farmworkers, and that is…… Continue Reading
MSU Weed Tour sees minimal pressure
Weed research at Michigan State University continues to find benefits in a two-pass herbicide program. Erin Burns tells Brownfield, “By far, 75 percent of the programs are probably the two-pass; those are most robust.” “Sometimes people think they’re a little bit more on the expensive side, but year after year, the economic returns on those…… Continue Reading
Spider mites impacting soybean fields
An extension field crops entomologist with the University of Illinois says some farmers are battling spider mites this spring. Nick Seiter says the pest thrives in dry conditions. “Spider mites are the ones that I get concerned about that can really cause a lot of injury.” He says, “They’re very heavily driven by drought stress…… Continue Reading
USDA’s planted cotton acres higher than expected
The USDA says upland cotton planted area is 9.9 million acres, less than last year, but more acres than some in the U.S. cotton industry thinks has been planted. Jody Campiche with the National Cotton Council tells Brownfield… “We did see from March to June, USDA increased Texas acreage, which isn’t too out of line.…… Continue Reading
Ethanol production, stocks down on week, up on year
U.S. ethanol numbers were mixed last week. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says production averaged 1.076 million barrels per day, a five-week low and down 5,000 on the week, but up 12,000 on the year. Iowa State University’s Center for Agricultural and Rural Development says the estimated operating margin for the average Iowa producer did…… Continue Reading
Would Toby Keith Have Approved of This Change to Red Solo Cups?
The classic red Solo cup is getting a makeover! Continue reading…… Continue Reading
Slowed northward movement of NWS promising news
The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service says there hasn’t been noticeable northward movement of New World screwworm in recent weeks. Ethan Lane with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association says this is promising news. “It would appear that the 100 million flies a week being applied on target as was needed is doing what…… Continue Reading
U.S. makes trade deal with Vietnam
President Donald Trump says U.S. and Vietnam have reached a preliminary trade deal and a commodities economist says he’s optimistic the deal will open markets for U.S. ag commodities. Arlan Suderman with Stone X Group says not many details are known, but price will be a factor in the commodities Vietnam decides to buy. “It…… Continue Reading
