An Illinois farmer says it is difficult to keep track of all the factors pressuring the global grain markets. Lance Panzer of Waltonville in southern Illinois tells Brownfield the war in Ukraine, drought in the western US and excess moisture in the eastern corn belt are just a few of the ones he is watching. “My goodness. This year is definitely one of those years that you have to read […]
U.S. ethanol production moved modestly higher last week but stayed well below a million barrels as seasonal maintenance continues at some plants. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says production averaged 963,000 barrels a day, up 16,000 on the week and 18,000 on the year. Iowa State University’s Center for Agricultural and Rural Development says profit margins did improve for most producers and the USDA says cash ethanol prices were higher. […]
Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack has taken action to support response efforts to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. The Secretary approved the transfer of nearly $263 million from the Commodity Credit Corporation to USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to help APHIS continue its work supporting state and local partners to quickly identify and address cases of HPAI in the United States. Secretary Vilsack previously approved the use of approximately $130 […]
The biofuels industry and EPA have reached an agreement to complete a rulemaking process for Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs). Joe Kakesh, general counsel with Growth Energy, tells Brownfield EPA has until June 3rd to finalize its 2020 to 2022 RVO’s. “What this means is that we have some level of certainty that the EPA is going to abide by a deadline. Granted, these dates are far later then they should […]
The Nebraska Cattlemen’s Association has reactivated its disaster relief fund to help producers recover from a wildfire earlier this month. President Brenda Masek tells Brownfield donations are being accepted through May 31 for the fire that started in Gosper and Furans Counties. “This is just for the 739 fire. I know there have been many more since then. If we get the designation from state or federal levels, we definitely […]
It was an explosive start to the House Ag Committee hearing on price discrepancies in the cattle markets. Coy Young is a cow/calf producer from Missouri. “The American cattle farmers and ranchers are tired,” Young said. “Tired of being taken advantage of and losing money year after year, while watching the Big Four post record profits every single quarter.” He says packers continue to manipulate the system. “AMAs (Alternative Marketing […]
EPA Administrator Michael Regan says the agency’s recently revamped pesticide process will be quicker and better inform farmers of available products. He said EPA scientists should decide what pesticides come on and off the market, not the courts. “And that’s why we’ve asked Congress for a budget that really begins to bolster our ability to get out from under the courts, out from under the litigation and really focus on […]
An ag meteorologist says chances for snow in parts of the Great Lakes are finally subsiding. State climatologist for Michigan Jeff Andresen says temperatures have been averaging 15 to 20 degrees cooler than normal for mid-April. “The air loft is really abnormally cold for this time of year—very, very cold—certainly subfreezing leading to more instability,” he explains. Unfortunately, the medium-range forecast into the first week of May includes more of […]
The Michigan Department of Agriculture is reporting another case of highly pathogenic avian influenza in a backyard poultry flock. A 35-bird mixed-species flock in Saginaw County has been confirmed with the virus and the department says it has been depopulated. The Department of Natural Resources is also encouraging the public to temporarily remove outdoor bird feeders to help reduce the possibility of disease spreading. ...
