Warmer and drier weather allowed Minnesota farmers to pick up the planting pace last week. USDA’s latest crop progress report says nine percent of corn is planted, compared to nearly 50 percent a year ago and the five-year average of 81 percent. Two percent of soybeans are planted, well off last year’s pace of 59 percent and 25 percent normally. Mike Landuyt of Walnut Grove in southwest Minnesota tells Brownfield […]
South-Central Nebraska farmer August Fishell says recent rainfall has put the brakes on planting but brought relief to on-going drought. “We’re getting here to the second week of May. It needs to dry out a little bit for us to get back in there.” Topsoil moisture is rated at 64 percent adequate-to-surplus and subsoil moisture is rated at 41 percent adequate-to-surplus. USDA’s latest crop progress and condition report says 39 […]
A farmer in southern Iowa is concerned about a shrinking window to spray for weeds. Jeff Jorgenson grows corn and soybeans near Sidney. “I think the pressure is going to be on herbicide application just because of how many windy days we’re having. I think that’s going to be a challenge going forward because obviously we can keep planting but the sprayers are definitely going to be behind.” He tells […]
More progress is being made by Michigan farmers despite less than three days suitable for fieldwork last week. The USDA says winter wheat condition remained steady at 45 percent good to excellent with 47 percent of the crop jointed, slightly ahead of the five-year average. Sugarbeets were 36 percent planted along with 33 percent of oats, eight percent of soybean, and four percent of corn. Apples, tart cherries, blueberries, and […]
A dairy economist says China’s latest dairy import numbers could be worrisome for prices. Nate Donnay with StoneX tells Brownfield as the largest dairy product importer in the world, a nearly 30 percent decline in March imports by China could be devastating to prices if the trend sticks. “They’re massive,” he says. “Every one percent change in China’s imports on an annual basis is about a one percent impact on […]
A southeast Minnesota farmer says planting conditions are steadily improving. Ryan Buck of Goodhue tells Brownfield after a slow start because of cool and wet weather, about half his corn crop got planted last week. “The ground has actually been working up pretty well. If you work it up and let it sit a day or so, the planting conditions are pretty good.” With a favorable forecast, he’s optimistic corn […]
Planting continued its behind average pace in Missouri last week with only about a day suitable for fieldwork because of moisture. USDA says 32 percent of the state’s corn crop is planted, more than 30 percent behind last year and the five – year average. Ten percent of the crop has emerged, 26 percent behind last year. Seven percent of Missouri’s soybean crop is planted, less than half of last year’s […]
Jul. corn closed at $7.72, down 12 and 3/4 centsJul. soybeans closed at $15.85 and 1/2, down 36 and 3/4 centsJul. soybean meal closed at $402.80, down $10.80Jul. soybean oil closed at 79.74, down 116 pointsJul. wheat closed at $10.92 and 3/4, down 15 and 3/4 centsJun. live cattle closed at $133.55, up 80 centsJun. lean hogs closed at $101.30, down $2.80May Class III milk closed at $24.77, down 24 […]
An Iowa farmer says there’s no verifiable progress that nutrient management strategies are working. Francis Thicke owns and operates an 80-cow, grass-based, organic dairy near Fairfield, Iowa along with his wife Susan. He told an EPA and Army Corps of Engineers WOTUS hearing that 2/3rds of his state’s land is covered in corn and soybeans every year, and Iowa’s corn and soybean acres are “inherently leaky” when it comes to […]
