An ag economist says there’s some optimism in the rural economy despite high interest rates. Ernie Goss with Creighton University says the latest Rural Mainstreet Index rose to its highest level since May 2022. “Things are growing in the rural Mainstreet economy based upon agriculture, energy, and some other areas,” he said. “Certainly, the concern out there right now is rate hikes.” The index is a survey of ag bankers […]
A livestock economist is urging cattle producers to take a hard look at risk management strategies as dry weather fuels more volatile corn and soybean markets. University of Missouri’s Scott Brown says the weather in Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana this summer will matter. “In terms of where prices go,” he says. “But if we get rain in those states, I think we know the direction of prices for corn and […]
An atmospheric scientist says the dry conditions are starting to lower the good to excellent crop condition ratings in USDA’s weekly reports. The most recent U.S. Drought Monitor says 89% of Midwestern states are experiencing dryness and more than half of High Plains states are dry. Aaron Wilson with the Ohio State University says corn, soybeans and winter wheat conditions vary in different parts of the country, but winter wheat […]
An Illinois agriculture professor says community colleges need more students to meet the growing demand for industry jobs. Bill Harmon with Lincoln Land Community College tells Brownfield enrollments at most community colleges in Illinois are steady but, “We’re supposed to supply qualified workers for local businesses but we’re not able to do that statewide and locally here as well, because we’re just not getting enough graduates. We need more students, […]
Soaring retail beef prices might have consumers looking for a more affordable option at the grocery store. University of Missouri ag economist Scott Brown says there are options available. But… AUDIO: Healthy Living on retail prices ...
The Midwest Association of State Departments of Agriculture is having its annual meeting in Minneapolis this week. Minnesota Department of Ag Commissioner Thom Petersen tells Brownfield the farm bill is a pressing issue. “Time is running tight. I think after the debt ceiling agreement we kind of had some hope that we could be done by September 30th, but I think you just start looking at all the time (so) […]
The president of the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association says a proposed rule from the Department of Interior’s Bureau of Land Management challenges grazing land access for livestock producers. The proposed rule allows the BLM to identify lands and waters that require habitat restoration. Time-limited conservation leases would allow interested organizations to restore or mitigate lands that are traditionally used for multiple uses: to graze livestock, timber or hunt. Eric Jennings […]
A market analyst sees a decline in yield and export demand for this year’s U.S. corn crop. Naomi Blohm with Total Farm Marketing says she anticipates a larger old crop carryout in USDA’s July supply and demand report. “Because our exports are still not fantastic and we’re not up to USDA goals and objectives. And that also makes us think that for the new crop, the USDA had increased export […]
Soybean growers should still be preparing for disease pressure despite significant dryness this year. In this Pods for Profits, plant pathologist Marty Chilvers with Michigan State University will discuss how to protect soybeans from white mold infestations and what tools are available to track its spread. ...
