The executive director of the Soy Transportation Coalition says ag transportation continues to face headwinds. Mike Steenhoek tells Brownfield one of those challenges is the low water conditions on the Mississippi River. “We had drought conditions earlier this year also in late 2023 at the Panama Canal,” he says. “Plus the strikes or the threat…… Continue Reading
Placements decline in latest On Feed report
November cattle placements declined in the USDA’s latest Cattle on Feed report. Mississippi State University livestock economist Josh Maples says the numbers were near pre-report expectations, but where the declines happened are what’s interesting. “Most of it happening in Texas and then also Colorado,” he says. Kenny Burdine with the University of Kentucky says the…… Continue Reading
Economist expects fewer soybean acres in 2025
An ag economist says soybean growers continue to face some volatility. “I’ve got to admit, it’s a little tough right now, said Jim McCormick with AgMarket.Net McCormick says he’s concerned about the world supply of soybeans and how it could impact producers in 2025. “If Brazil has this monster bean crop like everyone anticipates, the…… Continue Reading
Year-round E15 left out of CR. What’s next?
Biofuels groups are going back to the drawing board after a year-round E15 solution was left out of the Continuing Resolution. “To have it in the CR and then have it pulled out unceremoniously, people are pretty salty about it,” said Monte Shaw, executive director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association. Shaw says there’s been…… Continue Reading
Brantley Gilbert Done Having Kids After Scary Tour Bus Delivery
Brantley and Amber are parents to three children. Continue reading…… Continue Reading
Record/near-record warmth to expand across the Heartland for Christmas Week; unseasonably wet
Mild weather will dominate the country during this Christmas holiday week, except for some lingering cold weather in the Northeast. In fact, temperatures at times will attain record-high levels for this time of year in the western and central U.S. Meanwhile, precipitation will be widespread but generally light during the next 5 days, except for…… Continue Reading
Indiana farmer helping U.S. veterans find their place in ag
Photo by Luke Munchrath, AFBF photo. A Hancock county Indiana farmer is working with fellow veterans to help them find careers in agriculture. Joe Ricker was first introduced to ag through Indiana AgriAbility, which helps farmers with disabilities, before starting his own business. “At Ease Orchard has about 250 apple trees and now about 10 beehives,” he…… Continue Reading
Specialty Crop Marketing Assistance program could still see a boost
An industry expert says requests for additional specialty crop funds by Democratic Ag Committee leaders is only a short-term fix. Last week Senator Debbie Stabenow and Congressman David Scott sent a letter to the USDA and Office of Management and Budget asking for at least an additional $1 billion in support for the Marketing Assistance…… Continue Reading
Local grain markets riding the HPAI outbreak wave
Record corn and soybean harvests are expected to help farmer profitability in Michigan despite basis issues. Phil Tuggle with Michigan Agricultural Commodities tells Brownfield, “The price hasn’t been great per bushel, but we had extra bushels and I think that really helped the bottom line.” Tuggle says the highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak earlier in…… Continue Reading
Milder air expanding on the Plains; more seasonal weather covers the Midwest Corn Belt
Across the Corn Belt, wintry precipitation—snow and freezing rain—is causing some travel disruptions in the Great Lakes region, especially across Michigan and Wisconsin. Elsewhere, mild air is replacing previously frigid conditions, which led to a daily-record low of -21°F on December 22 in Gaylord, Michigan. A variable but mostly shallow snow cover from an earlier…… Continue Reading
