The planting pace is nearly two weeks ahead of normal in Iowa. USDA’s latest crop progress report says 95 percent of the state’s expected corn crop and 84 percent of the soybean crop is planted. Corn emergence is four days ahead of the five-year average at 65 percent. Soybeans are 43 percent emerged compared to 25 percent normally. The first cutting of alfalfa is underway with hay condition rated 66 […]
U.S. corn and soybean planting and development remain ahead of average. Recent weather in most of the Midwest and Plains has been generally favorable but parts of the region could see a drier pattern into early June, potentially causing some stress in those areas. The USDA says 81% of U.S. corn is planted, compared to the five-year average of 75%, and 52% has emerged, compared to 45% on average. 66% […]
Nebraska farmers are wrapping up corn and soybean planting. USDA says 87 percent of the corn crop is in with 60 percent emerged and soybeans are 79 percent planted with 45 percent emerged. Winter wheat condition is rated 32 percent good-to-excellent. Pasture and range conditions are 15 percent good-to-excellent. Topsoil moisture is 42 percent adequate-to-surplus and subsoil moisture is 27 percent adequate-to-surplus. ...
Parts of Kansas received much-needed rainfall last week to help ease drought conditions. However, the USDA says winter wheat conditions continue to decline. The crop is rated at 37 percent very poor and 32 poor. Seventy-one percent of corn has been planted and 54 percent is emerged. More than 50 percent of soybeans have been planted with 31 percent emerged. Pasture and range conditions are 15 percent good-to-excellent. ...
Iowa Farm Bureau is pleased with property tax cuts passed at the end of the state legislative session. President Brent Johnson says the issue really came to light when property assessments were recently issued. “And what this bill does is it caps local tax rates, local government rates, at the top end at six percent.” He tells Brownfield that will ensure property taxes won’t increase as much as assessment values. […]
The American Farm Bureau Federation signed an agreement with two more ag manufacturers allowing farmers and ranchers to repair their own equipment. AGCO and Kubota are the third and fourth ag equipment companies to sign a memorandum of understanding with the farmer-led organization. The companies say they are committed to delivering tools that farmers can use to diagnose, maintain and repair equipment. Farm Bureau has similar agreements in place with […]
Farmers are trying to get ahead of weeds as the weather gets warmer. Wyffels Hybrids agronomist Jared Goplen says sprayers are catching up with planters in the Upper Midwest. “But those weeds really have been emerging. Some of the giant ragweed I’ve looked at even up in western Minnesota already has four leaves on it in some cases, so those weeds have really been taking advantage of this warm weather.” […]
An anticipated transition to El Nino weather conditions this summer should benefit crop development. USDA Midwest Climate Hub director Dennis Todey says La Nina has officially moved into a neutral pattern. “And it’s looking quite likely that we will get into an El Nino by sometime during the summer. El Nino summers tend to more likely have better growing conditions. They may not be outstanding, but most of the time […]
Milk futures were up and cash dairy prices were steady to lower except cheese Monday on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. June Class III milk was up $0.26 at $16.32. July was up $0.13 at $16.76. August was up $0.17 at $17.73. September was up $0.24 at $18.54. October through April contracts ranged from unchanged in February and March to seven cents higher in December. Dry whey was down $0.01 at […]
