Farmers are facing variable conditions as the 2023 growing season gets started. Ryan Ridder with Corteva Agriscience says two crop diseases to keep an eye on this year are tar spot in corn and white mold in soybeans. He tells Brownfield the first step in management is to have a good historical understanding of your disease pressure. ...
A nonprofit is lending a helping hand to farm and ranch families during some of their most difficult times. Farm Rescue’s Dan Erdmann says their organization has aided over 800 families since 2005 through planting, haying, harvesting and livestock feeding assistance. “We call it a hand up, not a handout,” Erdmann said. “It’s tangible support to get farm families through a difficult situation whether it be injury, illness or natural […]
Record fuel prices have an equipment manufacturer studying alternative engines for farmers and ranchers. Daryl Theis, Head of Sales and Marketing with CLAAS North America, says the cost and emissions of a diesel machine could create a market for electric engines. “As infrastructure develops, certainly we’ll see more and more opportunities for electric. It’s going to be one of those slow races, it won’t be a sprint. It will certainly […]
Minnesota farmers are gearing up for the first cutting of alfalfa. University of Minnesota Extension crops educator Nathan Drewitz covers the central part of the state and says a cool start to the growing season slowed development. “We’re behind in terms of height (and) our quality is starting to come down, so I think we’re going to have lower yields and shorter stands to cut.” He tells Brownfield some alfalfa […]
Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures were mostly lower ahead of the long holiday weekend, while feeders were pressured by the rally in corn. June live was down $.22 at $132.17 and August was $.20 lower at $132.40. August feeders were down $.35 at $166.32 and September was $.42 lower at $169.30. Cash cattle trade was quiet on Friday with most business already wrapped up after Tuesday’s deals. Southern deals […]
Soybeans were mostly modestly higher, finishing the week with solid gains. Beans consolidated, watching planting conditions, with markets closed on Monday for Memorial Day. That pushes the USDA’s weekly export inspections and crop progress and condition reports back to Tuesday. A big chunk of those planting concerns is tied to North Dakota, one of the biggest soybean producers in the U.S. Crush margins have dipped, but remain in positive territory, […]
The president of Iowa Farm Bureau believes his state has laid the blueprint for an E15 standard. Brent Johnson tells Brownfield there’s no doubt other states will be looking at the Biofuels Access Bill recently signed into law and want to emulate what Iowa has done. “This is the first time that we’ve got an E15 standard, and with the challenges of higher fuel prices (and) some of the regulatory […]
Governor Walz has signed the agriculture omnibus bill into law. Minnesota Farmers Union government relations director Stu Lourey says more than $18 million in drought relief is included in the legislation. “Which the Governor first proposed in October of last year (and) we asked for it in August, and he’s been eager to get that on his desk throughout this entire session.” The ag bill also provides $1.5 million to […]
Jul. corn closed at $7.77 and 1/4, up 12 and 1/4 centsJul. soybeans closed at $17.32 and 1/4, up 5 and 3/4 centsJul. soybean meal closed at $432.30, up $4.10Jul. soybean oil closed at 79.57, down 95 pointsJul. wheat closed at $11.57 and 1/2, up 14 and 1/4 centsJun. live cattle closed at $132.17, down 22 centsJun. lean hogs closed at $110.40, down 70 centsJun. ...
