Across the Corn Belt, dry weather prevails, except in westernmost corn and soybean production areas from the Dakotas southward. By June 18, topsoil moisture was rated more than one-half very short to short in all Midwestern States, except Ohio and North Dakota, led by Michigan (89%) and Illinois (87%). On the same date, Michigan also led the U.S. in very poor to poor ratings for corn (28%) and soybeans (32%). […]
Market analyst Arlan Suderman with StoneX Group says the global vegetable oil markets are responding to the Environmental Protection Agency’s final Renewable Volume Obligations with significant losses. “It was hoped by the market that the one week delay in releasing the RVOs would result in the EPA providing more support for those advanced biofuels, like renewable diesel, that use more edible oils like canola and soybean oils.” Suderman says if […]
Biofuel groups are expressing their disappointment with the Environemtal Protection Agency’s blending requirements under the Renewable Fuel Standard. While EPA slightly raised requirements for biomass-based diesel fuels, the agency lowered ethanol quotas. Biofuel blending requirements are 20.94 billion gallons in 2023, 21.54 billion gallons in 2024 and 22.33 gallons in 2025. The finalized volumes include 15 billion gallons of ethanol over the next three years, a decline from the proposal, […]
The donation of a family trust in 2018 has since transformed the agriculture program at Lincoln Land Community College. Agriculture Professor Bill Harmon tells Brownfield the $18 million endowment from the estate of the late Charles and Irene Kreher allowed them to build a new facility with student gathering centers, updated technology including equipment simulators and labs for hands on learning. “We have an animal science lab which allows us […]
Drought conditions are putting stress on all crops and forages are no exception. Beef producers are facing limited forage supplies and two Purdue University Extension educators are sharing some information on feeding and management strategies to consider to help control costs, maintain optimal animal performance, and preserve profitability into the future. Purdue University Extension Beef Specialist Ron Lemenager and Forage Specialist Keith Johnson say there are no cheap, easy fixes […]
Applications are open for US ag exporters to secure their spot on a USDA trade mission to Chile. Participants will partake in business meetings with potential importers from Chile and Peru September 25th-29th. Along with networking opportunities and retail visits in Santiago, the mission also coincides with the USDA-endorsed Espacio Food and Service trade show. Foreign Ag Service Administrator Daniel Whitley says the countries are celebrating the 200th […]
Looking ahead, the 6- to 10-day outlook for the likelihood of near- or above-normal temperatures and rainfall across most of the country. Cooler-than-normal conditions will be confined to California, the Great Basin, and the middle Atlantic States. Meanwhile drier-than-normal weather should be limited to the Four Corners region, the southern half of the Plains, and the western Gulf Coast States. ...
It’s National Pollinator Week, a chance to celebrate the important role pollinators play in the food system. You might wonder what is classified as a pollinator. Common pollinators are bees and butterflies… But did you know bats, small mammals, moths and some beetles are also pollinators? AUDIO: Healthy Living on National Pollinator Week ...
Research at Michigan State University is finding some wheat management techniques are helpful to drought-stressed crops. Soil fertility specialist Kurt Steinke with Michigan State University is studying different nutrient applications. “We’ve seen some tremendous yield gains and in some cases, grain quality increases with starter fertilizer applied in the fall and that starter specifically focusing on nitrogen and sulfur,” he says. Steinke tells Brownfield earlier, fall-planted winter wheat usually yields […]
