MSU encourages reporting southern rust

Michigan State University’s plant pathologist says southern rust disease pressure is spreading across the state. Marty Chilvers tells Brownfield he’s tracking its movement in corn. “We’re trying to map the location of southern rust across Michigan to the county level, just to be aware of how far north it can move, so that in breeding…… Continue Reading

Diversification helps Minnesota farm navigate ag economy slump

A central Minnesota crop and livestock producer says diversification is helping her farm weather the current downturn in the ag economy. Judy Barka and her family grow corn, soybeans, and raise beef cattle near Litchfield. “We’re diversified, so that helps considerably. We also have off-farm income that has helped to sustain us through those kind…… Continue Reading

Will the Fed cut rates in September?

An ag economist says rural bankers are monitoring the possibility of an interest rate cut in September. Ernie Goss with Creighton University says six out of 10 bank CEOs in the latest Rural Mainstreet Index supported a Federal Reserve rate cut at its September meeting. “That would help out on the short end, but that’s…… Continue Reading

Low Mississippi River and reduced demand affecting basis

The Mississippi River has the potential to drop to severe lows at harvest for the fourth year in a row and an ag economist with University of Arkansas Extension says basis will be affected. Hunter Biram says it gets expensive to ship lighter loads of soybeans via barge down the river and that cost is…… Continue Reading

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