Asgrow/DEKALB Agronomist Dave Colbert says growers could face more insect pressure in the 2019 growing season because of the relatively mild conditions in parts of the Midwest this winter. “Things like flea beetle, things like stink bug- those insects are on the rise and with this mild winter this may increase their survivability,” he says. …
Category: Ag News
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Jan 10
Shutdown no excuse if E15 relief doesn’t happen this summer
The CEO of the American Coalition for Ethanol says he will not accept the government shutdown as an excuse if E15 relief does not occur in time for this summer. Brian Jennings tells Brownfield it’s been more than three months since President Trump directed the EPA to lift Reid Vapor Restrictions. “EPA could’ve issued a …
Jan 10
Cattle futures firm ahead of widespread cash business
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, cattle futures ended the day firm on optimism ahead of widespread direct cash business. Firm wholesale values also provided some support. Feeder cattle were mixed finding some support in the day’s lower move in corn. February live cattle closed $.07 higher at $124.87 and April live cattle closed $.12 higher …
Jan 10
Ag Economy Barometer: Farmers expect beef and dairy herd to shrink
Farmers surveyed in the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer predict the size of beef and dairy herds are likely to decline in 2019. Eighty-three percent of respondents said they expect the dairy herd to shrink and more than 60 percent said the beef herd will shrink in 2019. “And I think that reflects the …
Jan 10
King re-introduces the Protect Interstate Commerce Act
Iowa U.S. Representative Steve King has re-introduced his bill to prohibit states from imposing strict animal agriculture production standards on farmers in other states. King’s Protect Interstate Commerce Act was included in the House version of the farm bill last spring but was stripped from the final bill. King says the issue is even more …
Jan 10
Cooperative pushes for more FDA labeling comments on National Milk Day
A dairy cooperative is using Friday’s National Milk Day to make one last push for stronger FDA dairy label enforcement. EDGE Dairy Cooperative’s Aaron Stauffacher says, “Please take the time to comment into FDA as everyone’s voice does make a difference in this debate, and we need folks to comment.” Stauffacher tells Brownfield it’s important …
Jan 10
A record year for ethanol production in Iowa
Iowa ethanol plants had another record-breaking year in 2018, producing 4.35 billion gallons. That’s up from 4.2 billion in 2017. Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw says the increased production was due largely to record ethanol exports. But he says that good news was offset by small refinery exemptions to the RFS and …
Jan 10
Stabenow says shutdown needs to end
The Ranking Member of the Senate Ag Committee says she’s concerned about the impact limited USDA operations during the government shutdown is having on farmers. In a letter to U.S. Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue, Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow says with a 19-day lapse for funding, it’s the second-longest shutdown in history. Stabenow says the shutdown …
Jan 10
Trade talks with EU exclude agriculture
Trade officials from the U.S. and the European Union discussed trade in Washington D.C. this week, but EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom told reporters after the meeting that talks would not include agriculture. According to various media report, Malmstrom says the EU has made it clear they are instead focusing on industrial goods. Last month …
Jan 10
Trade disputes impacting organic grain sector
Trade disputes and the resulting drop in commodity prices have impacted U.S. organic grain farmers. Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) executive director John Mesko says organic prices track conventional markets to an extent. “The trade tariffs do impact organic producers because organic grain flows around the world as well. So whenever we see …