Agriculture

The American Farm Bureau Federation signed an agreement with two more ag manufacturers allowing farmers and ranchers to repair their own equipment. AGCO and Kubota are the third and fourth ag equipment companies to sign a memorandum of understanding with the farmer-led organization. The companies say they are committed to delivering tools that farmers can use to diagnose, maintain and repair equipment. Farm Bureau has similar agreements in place with […]

Farmers are trying to get ahead of weeds as the weather gets warmer. Wyffels Hybrids agronomist Jared Goplen says sprayers are catching up with planters in the Upper Midwest. “But those weeds really have been emerging. Some of the giant ragweed I’ve looked at even up in western Minnesota already has four leaves on it in some cases, so those weeds have really been taking advantage of this warm weather.” […]

An anticipated transition to El Nino weather conditions this summer should benefit crop development. USDA Midwest Climate Hub director Dennis Todey says La Nina has officially moved into a neutral pattern. “And it’s looking quite likely that we will get into an El Nino by sometime during the summer. El Nino summers tend to more likely have better growing conditions. They may not be outstanding, but most of the time […]

Milk futures were up and cash dairy prices were steady to lower except cheese Monday on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. June Class III milk was up $0.26 at $16.32.  July was up $0.13 at $16.76.  August was up $0.17 at $17.73.  September was up $0.24 at $18.54.  October through April contracts ranged from unchanged in February and March to seven cents higher in December. Dry whey was down $0.01 at […]

A field crop entomologist says black cutworm pressure has increased in parts of Illinois this season and the pest could begin feeding this week. Kelly Estes with the University of Illinois tells Brownfield several storms allowed moths to migrate this spring and based on trapping dates, larvae could start causing injury to corn plants anytime.   “Earlier flights were in late April and early May so projected cutting dates start […]

The USDA has announced more than $390 million in funding to help rural communities foster long-term economic growth.   The Rural Partners Network was launched in April 2022 and expanded in November 2022 and has dedicated staff in 10 states and Puerto Rico.  Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says the Rural Partners Network works to reverse decades of persistent poverty. “We are working in those communities with nearly 800 partners in a […]

An ag meteorologist says warm, dry weather is in the forecast for the Midwest through Memorial Day. Drew Lerner with World Weather Incorporated says that’s good news for planting progress and crop emergence. “Even though we have dryness out there, the priority is to get seed in the ground so when it starts raining, the crop can take advantage for yield.” Beyond the next week, Lerner says the rain and […]

An ag economist says this week’s Livestock Slaughter report will provide a more robust look at what’s happening with the U.S. cattle herd.  University of Missouri livestock economist Scott Brown says year-to-date cattle slaughter is running about 3% behind year-ago levels, but he wants to see the breakdown of the numbers in this week’s report from the USDA. “What does beef cow slaughter look like in any indication we’re building […]

Uneventful weather will cover many parts of the country for much of the week, although exceptions may include heavy rain along the southern Atlantic Coast and mid- to late-week showers and thunderstorms across the Plains and Rockies.  Five-day rainfall totals could reach 2 to 4 inches or more in Florida and southern Georgia, while 1- to 2-inch totals may occur across the nation’s mid-section, extending into the Rockies.  In contrast, […]