Virginia Tech is creating a network to connect its campus with each of its extension research centers and local extension offices. The SmartFarm Innovation Network will connect extension specialists with producers to develop technologies to increase agricultural efficiency and sustainability, according to Alan Grant, dean of the Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. …
Category: Ag News
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Jun 06
Cover crop seed could be at a premium because of prevent plant
Cover crop seed could be at a premium as the U.S. prepares for a likely record total of prevented plant acres in 2019. Minnesota Department of Agriculture seed unit supervisor Denise Thiede says the number of unplanted acres in her state and across the Corn Belt is concerning. “I have reached out to seed suppliers …
Jun 06
McKinney on lack of China talks
USDA Trade Under Secretary Ted McKinney says he’s not aware of any talks between the U.S. and China in the last few weeks. “Is it my hope that we get back to the negotiating table and come back to some conclusion? Oh my goodness, you bet! But, these things are one step and then another …
Jun 06
Class III milk still struggling to stay over $17
A commodity analyst and broker says the Class III milk market landscape appears different from recent years. Mike North with Commodity Risk Management Group says, “That’s not to say that the buyer’s response to prices are any different yet this year, and so while we work through some of that typical market psychology and behavior, …
Jun 06
Perdue says MFP payment details are coming soon
Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue says he will announce payment details of the $16 billion market facilitation program Friday or early next week. USDA Chief Economist Rob Johansson was clear about unplanted acres when asked by reporters last month. “You will not receive payments if you do not plant. The payments are based on reported plantings …
Jun 06
Illinois River lock and dam repairs underway
Scheduled repairs to locks and dams along the Illinois River began June 1st. Scott Sigman, Transportation and Export Infrastructure Lead with the Illinois Soybean Association, says repairs to the Marseilles and Starved Rock locks this year are the start of a series lasting through 2023. “Improvements are ultimately something that local Illinois farmers that utilize …
Jun 06
Minimizing nitrogen loss during a wet spring
Unrelenting rains have slowed planting to levels never seen before, and one of the many dilemmas is what to do about fertilizer. A nutrient management specialist with the University of Minnesota is concerned about nitrogen leaching, but says a cool fall and spring might be mitigating some losses. Continue reading Minimizing nitrogen loss during a …
Jun 05
ARA says prevent plant acres will leave unsold seed, products in retailers’ hands
Agricultural Retailers Association CEO Daren Coppock says the ARA supports disaster relief legislation but says the ARA doesn’t want undue incentives for growers to claim prevent plant acres. “All of us in the system, whether we retailers, growers or even the grain elevators on the output side, are all better off when there’s production going …
Jun 05
Farm and Ranch to School Act gives priority to locally produced meat
Congressman Dusty Johnson of South Dakota has introduced a measure to make local meat procurement a priority for school lunch programs. Johnson tells Brownfield the current Farm to School Program has successfully gotten local fruits and vegetables into school lunches. He says, however, it has unintentionally de-emphasized beef, bison, pork and other proteins. “What we …
Jun 05
South Dakota’s Dusty Johnson wants grazing date pushed up
Congressman Dusty Johnson wants farmers to be allowed to graze cover crops on prevent plant acres before November first, the date now allowed under crop insurance rules. “So much of the nutritional quality has waned, has deteriorated that late into the year,” said Johnson (R-SD), during a conference call with reporters. “If we’re going to …
