Farm News

Michigan farmers working on pre-winter fieldwork

Monday, November 25

Harvesting is complete in Michigan, as farmers move on to other pre-winter activities. USDA reporters say Michigan farmers are planting cover crops, testing soil, applying herbicides and fertilizer, spreading lime and manure, testing soil, and hauling grain. Additional moisture last week helped improve the... Read More.

55% of U.S. winter wheat rated good to excellent

Monday, November 25

The USDA’s winter wheat condition rating moved higher over the past week as the crop gets closer to dormancy. 55% of U.S. winter wheat is in now in good to excellent condition, a surge of 6% over the past week and well above the... Read More.

Economist says beef cow slaughter remains a number to watch

Monday, November 25

Beef cow slaughter for October was down 21 percent compared to last year. But a livestock economist says there’s more to the story. University of Missouri Professor Emeritus Scott Brown says that when looking at the beef cow slaughter percentage, it’s important to remember... Read More.

October poultry production climbs 4% above last year

Monday, November 25

The USDA says domestic poultry production during October 2024 was 4.922 billion pounds. That was up 4% from October 2023 on a 4% rise for chicken to 4.416 billion pounds, which canceled out a 1% decline for turkey production to 493.928 million. The chicken... Read More.

Phone app teaches best practices for moving cattle

Monday, November 25

Teaching people how to safely move cattle is a little easier thanks to a free training tool. Jennifer Van Os is an assistant professor and animal care extension specialist with the University of Wisconsin. She tells Brownfield a free game application for smart phones... Read More.

Voter opposition to Ordinance 309 in Denver is a big win for animal ag

Monday, November 25

The American Sheep Industry says the ag industry had a big win when Denver voters rejected a ballot initiative that would have banned slaughterhouses within the city limits. “Voters decided very emphatically against an animal rights-led effort to prohibit the slaughter of livestock in... Read More.

Many factors influencing markets

Monday, November 25

A grain originator with CHS says many factors are currently influencing grain markets. Renae Halverson says the big three commodities are seeing price impacts from a variety of sources. “The wheat market right now is rallying a little bit off of the Ukraine area.” ... Read More.

A range of temperatures across the Heartland; weather generally seasonal

Monday, November 25

Across the Corn Belt, a weak cold front is resulting in widespread cloudiness and patchy precipitation, with any snow largely limited to the upper Great Lakes region. With most Midwestern harvest activities complete, producers are turning their attention to farm maintenance and off-season fieldwork,... Read More.

Chinn will continue to lead Missouri Department of Ag

Monday, November 25

Governor-Elect Mike Kehoe has announced Chris Chinn will continue to serve as the Director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture. Kehoe says Director Chinn knows Missouri agriculture and he’s glad to have her in his administration as it works to expand the state’s ag... Read More.

A much colder, Winterlike feel across the Heartland; largely dry, though, for most

Monday, November 25

Looking ahead, the 6- to 10-day outlook calls for the likelihood of near- or below-normal temperatures west of the Rockies, while warmer-than-normal weather will prevail from the Plains to the Atlantic Coast. Meanwhile, near- or below-normal precipitation across most of the country should contrast... Read More.

2025 a big year for tax policy

Monday, November 25

2025 will be an important year for federal tax policy, and Compeer Financial vice president of legislative affairs Perry Aasness says several of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act provisions important to farmers are set to expire. “We would like to see some of... Read More.

U.S. export inspections mostly up on year

Monday, November 25

The USDA says soybean export inspections for the week ending November 21st were more than what’s needed to meet projections for the current marketing year. The 2024/25 marketing year began June 1st for wheat and September 1st for beans, corn, and sorghum. The USDA’s... Read More.