Corn and beef export sales hit marketing year highs during the week ending March 3rd. The USDA says old crop corn sales topped 2.1 million tons, with substantial purchases by unknown destinations, Japan, and Mexico. Beef sales were 27,500 tons, mainly to China, Japan, and South Korea. Combined old and new crop soybean sales were more than 3 million tons, continuing the spike related to lower South American production and […]
USDA has announced $35 million is available in grant funding to support veteran and underserved farmers and ranchers. Through the USDA’s Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program, or the 2501 Program, nonprofits, educational institutions, and tribal entities can apply for funds to help underserved and veteran farmers and ranchers. Over the past decade, the program has awarded nearly $160 million for […]
Virtual educational efforts by Michigan State University Extension are growing as educators work to find a balance between in-person and online connections. Extension educator Beth Ferry, based in Berrien County, tells Brownfield the traditional Agriculture and Natural Resources Week on MSU’s campus in March is expanding online with MSU’s Ag Ideas to Grow With Conference after last year’s success. “More than 67 percent of our attendees were brand new to […]
Two U.S. senators are asking Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack to provide an update on the USDA’s actions to address the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza. Indiana Republicans Mike Braun and Todd Young are requesting information about resources that can be provided to compensate poultry farmers for depopulation. They’re also asking if federal authorities are needed to implement additional testing and surveillance along the Mississippi Flyway and what steps the […]
As the administration rolls out investments to increase electric vehicles, ethanol and other biofuels are available now to help meet carbon reduction goals. Mark Fisler is the partner and managing director with Ocean Park, a boutique investment bank and financial advisory firm focused on renewable fuels, energy, food, ag technology, and the supply chain. “The current leadership and administration is talking about electrification, but the reality is we’re going to […]
Opening doors to more ethanol and biodiesel use is dominating conversations among corn and soybean groups at Commodity Classic. Missouri Corn Growers President Jay Schutte tells Brownfield the top corn policy priority is the Next Generation Fuels Act which would increase ethanol quality by setting a 98 ron standard in the U.S. “That can only be achieved by increasing ethanol blends,” Schutte said. “There’s a no backsliding provision in there […]
Looking ahead, the 6- to 10-day outlook calls for the return of near- or above-normal temperatures nationwide, with areas from the Midwest into the Northeast experiencing the greatest likelihood of warmer-than-normal weather. Meanwhile, near- or above-normal precipitation across most of the country should contrast with drier-than-normal conditions across the northern Plains and upper Midwest, as well as an area stretching from California to western and central Texas. ...
The Interim Executive Director and CEO of Wisconsin State Fair Park has been selected by the fair board to continue her duties. Shari Black has been serving in this capacity since Kathleen O’Leary retired in October. Black was the state fair’s chief programming officer in charge of rides, attractions, agriculture, competitive exhibits, entertainment, and vendor services, and was involved in the Waukesha County Fair for 20 years before joining the […]
Across the Corn Belt, cold weather prevails, except in the Ohio Valley. Widespread sub-zero temperatures were reported Thursday morning in Minnesota and the Dakotas. In addition, snow is overspreading the southwestern Corn Belt, including parts of Missouri and southern sections of Iowa and Nebraska. On the Plains, snow is providing much-needed moisture for drought-stressed rangeland, pastures, and winter grains across parts of Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska. Elsewhere, unfavorably dry conditions […]
