Category: Ag News

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Illinois Pork Producers install new president

The Illinois Pork Producers Association is under new leadership. Pam Janssen began her duties as President of the Illinois Pork Producers Association on Tuesday at the IPPA annual meeting and pork expo. “Our vision at this point is to help expand our foreign markets and also to try and keep young people interested in this …

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Endangered species

The Endangered Species Act recently turned 45 years old. I learned during a couple of PBS documentaries about a few species on our planet that have been rescued because of this legislation.  I’m glad to see the peregrine falcon and the small key deer that live in south Florida have not vanished from the face of …

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USMEF official says changes will help China deal with ASF

A meat science expert says the African Swine Fever outbreak in China will require changes for most of their producers. Dr. Travis Arp with the U.S. Meat Export Federation tells Brownfield, “Really, it’s going to take a big consolidated effort across the entire hog industry in China for them to, I think, not only get …

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Parson/Chinn warn of bitter cold

Governor Mike Parson is urging Missourians to prepare for the dangerously cold temperatures on their way and to take precautions to protect themselves, their families and their neighbors. Ag Director Chris Chinn is urging farmers and ranchers braving the cold to take care of their livestock to take care of themselves as well and to …

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Soybean growers lobby Missouri lawmakers

Missouri soybean growers lobbied state lawmakers at the Capitol Tuesday, talking about issues that affect their pocketbooks. Trade issues have resulted in growers targeting demand building through biodiesel and soybean meal, according to Brooks Hurst, president of the Missouri Soybean Association and a farmer at Tarkio, Missouri. “If we can [build demand] locally in the …

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Grassroots efforts in the biodiesel industry

The executive director of the Iowa Biodiesel Board says the key to growing the biodiesel industry is implementing programs at the state level.  Grant Kimberley says in Iowa, for example, they have been able to put together a package of incentive programs.  “From retail incentives to a producer incentive infrastructure cost-share program to help build …

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U.S. soybean sales to China dropped in 2018

China bought about half as many soybeans from the U.S. in 2018 than it did in 2017. Rich Nelson, Chief Strategist for Allendale, says sales started slowing down last spring once trade talk between the U.S and China began heating up. Nelson says he expects the USDA’s weekly export sales report to start filling in …

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Plant protein demand up at foodservice

A new report says plant-based protein demand from foodservice outlets increased by 20 percent last year. The market research company NPD Group says a quarter of U.S. consumers choose plant-based options on a regular basis as well as animal protein. Consumers said they choose plant-based protein because they perceive it to be better for them …

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Next Friday could be “biggest USDA report day in a generation”

An ag risk manager says next Friday could be the biggest USDA report day in a generation. Jamey Kohake with Paragon Investments tells Brownfield following the government shutdown, a backlog of information is set to be released February 8th. “And I don’t think guys can sit back and say if it’s a bullish report we’re …

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Minnesota lawmakers seek solutions to farm stress

The chair of the Minnesota House Agriculture and Food Finance and Policy Committee is looking for ways to alleviate stress on farmers. Representative Jeanne Poppe of Austin heard presentations last week that included former Minnesota Soybean Growers president Theresia Gillie of Kittson County.“She gave her personal testimony regarding the suicide of her husband, and what …

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