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Soybeans, corn up Friday, still down on the week

Soybeans were higher on commercial and technical buying, still ending the week in the red. Forecasts by Friday had generally turned warmer and drier into mid-month for parts of the region, hitting beans during key development phases. The trade’s still expecting a large crop...

USTR expected to finalize Section 301 tariff updates soon

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is finalizing modifications on tariffs for imported Chinese goods and trade policy specialist says she’s expecting to hear more soon. Virginia Houston with the American Soybean Association says she’s optimistic China won’t retaliate on U.S. ag products....

How Hoosier farmers can take advantage of the R&D Tax Credit

The midwest director at alliantgroup, a tax consulting firm, says the Research and Development Tax Credit helps farmers offset expenses related to ag innovation. Tax consultant Greg Knarr says there is a misconception the credit is only for large ag companies. “People think of lab coats and...

Hemp growers want farm bill certainty

Hemp growers say they need farm bill certainty from Congress. “Another one-year extension is not going to hurt anything.” Chris Berry, vice president of the Illinois Hemp Growers Association, says their growers need to know what the next farm bill contains more than any...

Harvest top of mind for Iowa grower

A southeast Iowa farmer says he’s been tackling some pre-harvest priorities. Tom Adam says repair work and grain marketing are at the top of the list. “Getting the equipment ready for harvest is going to be a primary thing. I raise some wheat and...

Weather extremes a threat to corn

The maturing corn crop could be vulnerable to weather extremes.  Syngenta agronomic service rep Logan Dinkla says a wet and blustery growing season raises the risk for lodging. “We’ve had a few wind events recently, and we’re known to get some here in the...

CME cash dairy prices lower

Cash dairy prices ended the week lower Friday on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Dry whey down $0.0150 at $0.61. One sale was made at that price. Blocks down $0.0475 at $1.85. One sale was made at that price. Barrels down $0.02 at $1.93. One...

Iowa farmer pleased with growing season conditions

A central Iowa farmer says he’s expecting an above average corn and soybean crop this year. Tim Bardole raises soybeans, corn, and hogs near Rippey in Greene County. “We’re in a very good part of the state luckily. The corn got in probably as...

Difficulty of corn rootworm management heightens

A crop specialist says corn rootworm is becoming more difficult to manage. Kurt Maertens, tech service representative with BASF, says, “Specifically, the larvae feeding on the corn roots. We’ve seen a tremendous amount of pressure due to resistance to the Bt traits with the...

A farm bill extension simply isn’t enough

An ag business leader says the pollical divide in Washington is no reason to leave farm bill work unfinished. President of the Michigan Agri-Business Association Chuck Lippstreu tells Brownfield, “Growers need certainty, rural businesses like our members need certainty.” “Extending the bill, while an...

Shared knowledge ensures the longevity of the cotton industry

Cotton producers from the Mid-South and Southeast have spent the last week learning more about cotton production in other parts of the country. Gary Dyksterhouse of Greenwood, Mississippi, took part in the National Cotton Council of America’s 2024 Producer Information Exchange program. “There are...

Increasing demand for Indiana commodities through shipping

The CEO of Indiana Corn and Soybean says growing exports through container shipping will provide long-term benefits to the state’s farmers. Courtney Kingrey says the goal is to increase demand. “We see that there’s an opportunity to triple the amount of containerized commodity products going out...