Milk production in March declined by less than half a percent from last year with more productive cows but a smaller herd. USDA says production in the U.S. for the month totaled nearly 19 billion pounds, down 0.4 percent from last year, with production per cow up seven pounds from 2021. The herd size was down 68,000 head on the year but up 15,000 on the month. South Dakota production […]
The world’s largest provider of crop inputs and services says it’s partnering in an industry-wide effort to create resilient and climate-smart food systems. Nutrien Ag Solutions recently announced it’s joining the Decade of Ag, an effort that’s led by U.S. Farmers and Ranchers in Action (USFRA). Erin Fitzgerald is the CEO with USFRA. “They’re really advancing on making sure they’re looking at carbon and nitrogen performance. They’ve been a genuine […]
Soybeans were higher on commercial and technical buying, with double digit gains in the May, July, August, and September contracts. Beans are keeping an eye on soybean product prices, world vegetable oil demand, and the energy markets. The overall supply and demand outlook continues to be the big driver. Ukraine and Russia aren’t significant players in the global soybean market, but Ukraine is the leading exporter of sunflower oil and […]
The U.S. produced a record amount of red meat in 2021. The USDA says the total of 55.905 billion pounds was up slightly from 2020 and included an all-time high for beef production at 28.015 billion pounds, a 3% year-to-year increase. The annual commercial cattle slaughter was also 3% above the previous year at 33.947 million head, cancelling out a two pound decline in the average live weight to 1,371 […]
Ever since Wisconsin’s lawmakers budgeted nearly eight million dollars per year into the Dairy Innovation Hub a couple of years ago, new research projects have been underway at three University of Wisconsin campuses. Dr. Sylvia Kehoe is a professor of dairy science at the University of Wisconsin River Falls. She tells Brownfield they are developing an applicator to put a consistent amount of dehorning paste on calves. “It’s sticky and […]
A central Illinois farmer says he is optimistic about the profitability of corn this year, despite high fertilizer costs. Elliott Uphoff of Findlay tells Brownfield they spring apply their nitrogen, so they are looking at a hefty fertilizer bill but, “I still see a pretty good profit margin for corn, especially considering what the price of corn is today, and I’m feeling pretty optimistic about the future.” He says some […]
Corn is projected to be more profitable than soybeans this year according to an analysis by ag economics professors at the University of Illinois. Gary Schnitkey tells Brownfield strong corn prices still outweigh high fertilizer costs giving corn a $108 to $227 dollar per acre return advantage over soybeans when planted between April 1st and June 10th. He says they used maximum yields of 235 bushels per acre for corn […]
An ag meteorologist says farmers are experiencing a wide range of weather conditions in the Corn Belt, Great Plains, and Delta regions at the start of planting season. Brownfield’s Greg Soulje says extreme dryness and drought continues in the Great Plains. “The headline story from a drought standpoint continues to be generally areas west and southwest of the Missouri River, especially Nebraska, more so into Kansas, and even more […]
A new monthly report from Purdue University is gauging consumer perceptions of the food system. Jayson Lusk, director for the Purdue Center for Food Demand Analysis and Sustainability says the latest survey took a closer look at food and agriculture policy. Healthy Living: The Consumer Food Insights Report, which started in January, is a monthly survey of 1200 U.S. food consumers. The report tracks consumer perceptions of the food […]
