Farm News

Red meat, poultry supplies tighten

Tuesday, December 24

Supplies of red meat and poultry in cold storage got tighter in November. The USDA says frozen red meat stocks were down 5 percent from last year. Compared to last year, beef supplies were down 4 percent, and pork supplies were down 6 percent. ...

AgriNovus Indiana launches program to boost ag innovation

Tuesday, December 24

The CEO of AgriNovus Indiana launches program to boost ag innovation Indiana has launched Velocity, a program to boost ag innovation. Mitch Frazier says producer-led initiatives are helping farmers address some of the toughest challenges they face today. “Bio innovation, food is health, and...

Productivity increases continue in U.S. hog production

Tuesday, December 24

U.S. hog producers continue to increase productivity. The USDA says there were 75.8 million hogs and pigs in the U.S. on December 1st, an increase of 1% from a year ago. Breeding inventory was up slightly from last year, but down a percent from...

Placements decline in latest On Feed report

Tuesday, December 24

November cattle placements declined in the USDA’s latest Cattle on Feed report. Mississippi State University livestock economist Josh Maples says the numbers were near pre-report expectations, but where the declines happened are what’s interesting. “Most of it happening in Texas and then also Colorado,”...

Concerns remain about ag transportation

Tuesday, December 24

The executive director of the Soy Transportation Coalition says ag transportation continues to face headwinds. Mike Steenhoek tells Brownfield one of those challenges is the low water conditions on the Mississippi River. “We had drought conditions earlier this year also in late 2023 at...

Year-round E15 left out of CR. What’s next?

Tuesday, December 24

Biofuels groups are going back to the drawing board after a year-round E15 solution was left out of the Continuing Resolution. “To have it in the CR and then have it pulled out unceremoniously, people are pretty salty about it,” said Monte Shaw, executive...

Economist expects fewer soybean acres in 2025

Tuesday, December 24

An ag economist says soybean growers continue to face some volatility. “I’ve got to admit, it’s a little tough right now, said Jim McCormick with AgMarket.Net McCormick says he’s concerned about the world supply of soybeans and how it could impact producers in 2025....

Milder air expanding on the Plains; more seasonal weather covers the Midwest Corn Belt

Tuesday, December 24

Across the Corn Belt, wintry precipitation—snow and freezing rain—is causing some travel disruptions in the Great Lakes region, especially across Michigan and Wisconsin. Elsewhere, mild air is replacing previously frigid conditions, which led to a daily-record low of -21°F on December 22 in Gaylord,...

Record/near-record warmth to expand across the Heartland for Christmas Week; unseasonably wet

Tuesday, December 24

Mild weather will dominate the country during this Christmas holiday week, except for some lingering cold weather in the Northeast. In fact, temperatures at times will attain record-high levels for this time of year in the western and central U.S. Meanwhile, precipitation will be...

Local grain markets riding the HPAI outbreak wave

Monday, December 23

Record corn and soybean harvests are expected to help farmer profitability in Michigan despite basis issues. Phil Tuggle with Michigan Agricultural Commodities tells Brownfield, “The price hasn’t been great per bushel, but we had extra bushels and I think that really helped the bottom...

Specialty Crop Marketing Assistance program could still see a boost

Monday, December 23

An industry expert says requests for additional specialty crop funds by Democratic Ag Committee leaders is only a short-term fix. Last week Senator Debbie Stabenow and Congressman David Scott sent a letter to the USDA and Office of Management and Budget asking for at...

Indiana farmer helping U.S. veterans find their place in ag

Monday, December 23

Photo by Luke Munchrath, AFBF photo. A Hancock county Indiana farmer is working with fellow veterans to help them find careers in agriculture. Joe Ricker was first introduced to ag through Indiana AgriAbility, which helps farmers with disabilities, before starting his own business. “At Ease Orchard...