Missouri lawmakers applauded the passage of private property rights legislation this week. Members of the state Senate and House of Representatives met Thursday to officially announce the passage of state eminent domain reform. House Bill 2005 sponsor Mike Haffner… “We embrace economic development; we embrace it as a state, especially when it comes to improving our electric grid,” Haffner said. “But we will not do it on the backs of […]
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has signed a bill into law that could help the next generation of farmers by removing barriers to entry and exit. House Bill 95 authorizes income tax credits for beginning farmers who attend financial management programs or individuals and businesses that sell or rent farmland, livestock, buildings, and equipment to beginning farmers. North central Ohio farmer Jeff Dean says it’s difficult to get into farming. “It’s […]
A Northeast Nebraska farmer says four decades of conservation have created ideal planting conditions during the drought. Debbie Borg of Allen tells Brownfield says no-till farming has helped sustain soil moisture. “I know that doesn’t sound right because we’re in a drought and we found it kind of ironic also. I think we can dig down and moisture doesn’t go very far, but planting has been going pretty well up […]
The president of the American Soybean Association says he’s optimistic President Biden’s announcement addressing food availability and farm costs will provide some relief. Northeast Arkansas farmer Brad Doyle says the expansion of double cropping insurance gives farmers more options for the upcoming growing season. “The opportunity to double crop, because we’re in planting season now, will not be until next year,” he says. “We have some time. Farmers can sit […]
A new study shows fuel prices would be four percent higher without U.S. biodiesel and renewable diesel production. Paul Winters with Clean Fuels Alliance America tells Brownfield the two biofuels reduce distillate prices by increasing the supply. “We calculate the current impact at about 22 cents per gallon,” he said. “Given that the national average for diesel fuel prices is about $5.50.” In addition to benefiting consumers, Winters says biodiesel […]
The Chicago Fed is reporting a rise in farmland values and farmer credit conditions in the first quarter. Senior business economist David Oppedahl tells Brownfield values for the first three months of the year were up 23 percent compared to last year and the strongest in nearly a decade. “The increase in commodity prices has been a big part of it,” he says. “It’s helped to shore up cash flow […]
South Tennessee farmer David Nichols says the rising cost of inputs is really putting the squeeze on farmers this year. He tells Brownfield higher fuel prices have been hard to digest. “In the last 10-days we’ve seen another leg up in the diesel fuel market,” he says. “And now we’re getting to run pretty hard and that’s an extra cost in that fuel is beginning to hit us pretty hard.” […]
The President of the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association says it will take some time for USDA’s recently announced fertilizer production incentive program to help alleviate supply shortages. KJ Johnson tells Brownfield while the Biden administration’s announced $500 million of funding to spur local fertilizer production is great… “…But also, to build a new fertilizer plant, to start a new phosphate mine, potash mine, that’s time; that’s not just going […]
A northwest central Ohio farmer says she’s excited to test out new technology as the planting season picks up speed. Patty Mann tells Brownfield “last year we started a row starter on our corn planter and this year we added high-speed planting units so hopefully we’ll be able to make it really count when we get the opportunity.” She’s hopeful they’ll be able to play catch-up after weather-related delays.” “We’ve […]
