Across the Corn Belt, a Frost Advisory was in effect early Monday in much of Minnesota. In fact, cool, mostly dry weather covers all of the Midwest, which currently lies between storm systems. However, corn and soybean planting opportunities remain limited in many areas by soggy soils and low evaporation rates. On the Plains, strong …
Category: Ag News
Auto Added by WPeMatico
May 20
U.S.-China trade tensions continue
China officials are reportedly in “no rush” to resume trade negotiations with the U.S. Chinese analysts told the South China Morning Post that trade officials are prepared to suspend further trade talks if President Trump isn’t “prepared to be realistic.” In a speech to realtors Friday, Trump said the two countries had a deal and …
May 20
Iowa Corn chairman: Treat corn fairly in MFP process
Corn growers were upset last year when the USDA only provided a penny per bushel for corn in trade mitigation payments. Iowa Corn Growers Association chairman Mark Recker says corn needs to be treated more fairly this time around. “Just look at the impact from lost distillers grains markets in China—that’s been an issue—and potential …
May 20
Checking for financial management gaps
When it comes to farm management there are several skills needed to help a business run successfully. Michael Langemeier with Purdue University says it is important to evaluate financial management practices for gaps, especially now when farmers are facing tight margins. In this managing for profit, Langemeier will highlight tasks farmers should review and give …
May 17
Wetter, stormier weather returns to the Heartland
Across the Corn Belt, a wetter pattern is becoming established, following a brief period of dry weather that allowed some corn and soybean planting to take place in drier and better-drained areas. Currently, showers and thunderstorms stretch from the Dakotas to Ohio. In addition, much cooler air is overspreading the northern Corn Belt. On the …
May 17
More rain coming
An agriculture meteorologist says a significant wet weather pattern is going to make it even more challenging for farmers to get caught up on planting. “Especially right now, it looks like across the Western Corn Belt, that’s the area where over the next couple of weeks we’re looking at persistent rainfall and thunderstorms,” said meteorologist …
May 17
More wet, stormy weather ahead for the Heartland
A low-pressure system over the central High Plains will drift northeastward, reaching the Great Lakes region by Sunday A new storm system will arrive in the West during the weekend and intensify across the central Plains early next week. The active pattern will result in a multi-day severe weather outbreak across portions of the Plains, …
May 17
Farmer hopes to begin planting this weekend
Central Indiana Farmer Mike Beard says there’s still little planting progress in his area. “We have finished some spraying and sometimes we sprayed around spots that we didn’t want to track through because of wet conditions, but there’s not much being done here,” he says. He tells Brownfield if all goes well, he’ll be planting …
May 17
Milk futures over $17 again, cash dairy mixed
Milk futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange ended the week higher with traders optimistic Mexico could lift tariffs. May Class III milk up two cents at $16.30. June up 22 cents at $16.45. July 29 cents higher at $16.72. August up 30 cents at $17.08. September through January contracts 12 to 31 cents higher. Dry …
May 17
Farm Bureau says a solution is still needed for ag labor
The head of American Farm Bureau says President Trump’s focus to fix the immigration system is welcomed but it must address farm labor shortages. Zippy Duvall says farmers need a reformed guest worker program that is flexible, affordable and fair. Farm Bureau also wants a process for current farm workers to earn legal status. A …