Agriculture

An agronomist is not expecting to see crop losses in southeastern Wisconsin where some farmers were able to plant before a winter weather blast.  Bob Berkovich with Pioneer tells Brownfield many farmers waited, but some were planting last week. “I’m still pretty confident because of that fantastic start that those seeds and plants experienced. You know, that’s the most critical part is that first one to two days. I don’t […]

Milk futures and cash dairy prices were lower Monday on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. May Class III milk was down $0.22 at $17.47.  June was down $0.16 at $17.83.  July was down $0.11 at $18.42.  August was down $0.06 at $18.97.  September through March contracts ranged from unchanged in January, February, and March to four cents lower in September and November Dry whey was down $0.0125 at $0.35.  Nine sales […]

Legislation in the Illinois General Assembly would allow students to participate in 4-H and FFA competitions and shows without being counted absent from school. Pontiac FFA Advisor Jesse Faber chairs the Illinois Ag Education Legislative Committee. He tells Brownfield many schools start the academic year before the Illinois State Fair and DuQuoin State Fair, which has caused conflict for 4-H and FFA members. “They have to make a choice to […]

An ag equipment specialist says new technology is driving an increase in farm machinery sales. Curt Blades, Senior Vice President of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, says U.S. combine sales were up nearly 50% in March. “Farmers want to take advantage of that new technology to help make their farms more efficient.” He tells Brownfield it also points to a stronger farm economy. “You can’t be in agriculture without optimism […]

Nebraska lawmakers have tabled a bill that would’ve helped fund the statewide weather monitoring system, which provides data to researchers and farmers. State Senator Tom Brandt says the system, known as the Nebraska Mesonet, needs additional funding and a strategic plan due to decline in weather stations. “A lot of entities use this information. Think of your agronomy department, the co-op, seed dealer or anyone that works outdoors. It gives […]

A Southeast Nebraska farmer says wet weather has delayed corn planting. Logan Bredemeier tells Brownfield that hasn’t happened in two years due to on-going drought. “I’d rather have them parked because of moisture over cold weather instead.” He says he’s planted about 300 acres of corn and soil conditions improved significantly after a weekend storm system. “Soil temperatures dipped a little bit yesterday with the front that pushed through.  Moisture […]

Farmers are encouraged to protect alfalfa from early season diseases. Curtis Rainbolt with BASF says the perennial faces several challenges throughout the year. “Depending on where you’re at, we’re starting to come out of dormancy and that alfalfa is starting to grow a little bit. So if we’re having rainy, humid conditions, now is really an ideal time if your alfalfa is four to six inches high to protect it […]

Farmers across southern Minnesota are dealing with remnants of a long winter. Wayne Schoper with South Central College in Mankato says snow, ice, and frost continue to cause delays. “We didn’t have a deep frost, but we did have early snow, early precipitation. And we certainly need that recharge and that’s been happening. I don’t think there’s little if any tillage going on yet.” But with two weeks left in […]

An international grain merchandiser says exports out of the Black Sea continue to be slowed by the war in Ukraine. CHS CEO Jay Debertin tells Brownfield he’s impressed by Ukrainian farmers who are producing under extraordinary circumstances. “Boy, who can’t be impressed with how they can get product planted and harvested. But the exports are still a problem.” He says some grain has gone out by sea. “But just not […]