Compeer Financial plans to increase its patronage by more than $42 million in 2019, meaning member-owners will receive nearly $150 million in returns. Rod Hebrink, CEO of the Upper Midwestern farm credit organization, tells Brownfield the down farm economy was a motivating factor. “To be able to increase the patronage payments at a time when …
Category: Ag News
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Dec 28
Farmer lets out sigh of relief as 2018 season closes
Central Indiana farmer Mike Beard says he let out a sigh of relief when he wrapped up the 2018 harvest season. “It was a good harvest, but it was a difficult harvest,” he says. “Some of my neighbors and some people even a little further away are continuing to want to finish harvest so I …
Dec 28
China to allow U.S. rice imports
China is allowing U.S. rice imports for the first time as the 90-day trade truce continues between the two countries. In a statement released Thursday, China’s customs authorities said U.S. rice imports will be allowed if they meet inspection standards. It doesn’t say how much rice China will buy. The U.S. and China signed an …
Dec 28
Kansas wheat acres expected to decline
Winter wheat acres in Kansas are expected to be down again in 2019, possibly reaching 100-year lows in the state. Record precipitation in October delayed the harvest of row crops in Kansas and prevented the planting of wheat in key production areas. “Central Kansas, which is a key production area for wheat—very concentrated wheat production—does …
Dec 28
The big ag stories of 2018 – Part 2
Farm income fell again in 2018, farmland values were mostly sideways despite declines in commodity prices, and the US economy seems to be growing. In this Managing for Profit, ag economist David Widmar focuses on the economy and how it has impacted the farmer’s bottom line this year. AUDIO: Managing for Profit, David Widmar – …
Dec 27
RMA will calculate ARC-County yields thanks to new Farm Bill
A southwest Minnesota farmer is relieved the new farm bill changes the way county yields are calculated in the Commodity Title. Bob Worth of Lake Benton says he’s been asking for Risk Management Agency (RMA) numbers instead of the National Ag Statistics Service (NASS) for years. “We have to tell our crop insurance exactly what …
Dec 27
John Sullivan picked to lead Illinois Department of Agriculture
Former Illinois state senator John Sullivan will be the next director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture. He was selected for the post by Governor-Elect J.B Pritzker. Sullivan, a Democrat, represented the 47th District in western Illinois from 2003 to 2017 until his retirement. While in the Senate, he served as chairman of the Agriculture …
Dec 27
Cattle futures up on beef demand expectations
Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures were higher, supported by commercial buying, with the trade expecting solid beef demand. December and February both notched new contract highs during the session. Still, those months and most other contracts closed below the session highs as traders wait for widespread direct business. December was up $1.57 at $112.92 …
Dec 27
Cattlemen’s leader looking for fewer burdensome regulations
A leader in the livestock industry is looking for fewer burdensome regulations in the year ahead. Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association president Krist Wollum says regulatory issues came up often during Donald Trump’s campaign for President. “And that’s something we’re always fighting, and we’re always trying to make sure our producers can do their job without …
Dec 27
U.S., China trade truce 1/3 over
Farmers and ag groups are nervous the U.S. and China won’t agree to a long-term deal ahead of a self-imposed deadline. President Trump announced at the end of the G20 Summit he and Chinese President Xi would halt the trade war for 90 days in hopes of reaching an agreement. The Summit was a month …