Farm News

Uneven corn brings uncertainty to in-season fertility

Tuesday, July 23

Planting delays in some parts of the Corn Belt are resulting in uneven crop development, creating some questions about in-season fertilizer use. Stephanie Zelinko with AgroLiquid says farmers should base application decisions on how far along the majority of the field is. “You don’t...

Judge upholds Massachusetts Question 3 pork law

Tuesday, July 23

A U.S. District Judge in Boston has upheld a Massachusetts law that bans the sale of pork, veal, and eggs from animals kept in confinement that doesn’t meet certain space requirements. Missouri-based Triumph Foods and other out-of-state hog producers have challenged Question 3, the...

Wheat closes weak, with soybeans and corn mixed

Tuesday, July 23

Soybeans were mixed, mostly modestly higher, adjusting spreads after the recent strength. Forecasts have a hotter, drier pattern emerging in parts of the region, potentially lasting into mid-August. That could cause stress during key phases of development and pull condition ratings down sharply. Eastern...

USDA says June milk production was down

Tuesday, July 23

USDA says milk production for June was down by eight-tenths of a percent from 2023. Tuesday’s report shows the 24 major dairy producing states made 18 billion pounds of milk in June. USDA also revised their May report to 18.8 billion pounds, down eight-tenths...

Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: July 23, 2024

Tuesday, July 23

Sep. corn closed at $4.02 and 1/2, up 2 and 1/4 centsAug. soybeans closed at $11.17 and 1/2, down 1/4 centAug. soybean meal closed at $342.70, down 90 centsAug. soybean oil closed at 46.66, down 34 pointsSep. wheat closed at $5.42 and 3/4, down...

June egg production down on year

Tuesday, July 23

U.S. chicken egg production declined during June. The USDA says 8.809 billion eggs were produced last month, 2% less than June 2023, with a 3% decrease in the number of layers canceling out a 1% increase in efficiency. That included lower moves for both...

Preventive tar spot treatments going out

Tuesday, July 23

A mid-Michigan farmer says he’s not taking a risk with tar spot this season. Mark Senk spoke with Brownfield while he was out spraying for the disease Tuesday. “My farm was hit really hard with tar spot in 2021 and the fungicide really paid...

Corn rootworm emergence picking up steam

Tuesday, July 23

An extension agronomist says corn rootworm has been prevalent across parts of the Corn Belt. Meaghan Anderson with Iowa State University says rootworm beetles have been rapidly emerging. “Unless you go out and get in your fields, some people may be surprised by yield...

Western Iowa farmer having ‘favorable’ growing season

Tuesday, July 23

A west-central Iowa farmer says conditions have been favorable for the development of his crops. Jeff Frank raises corn and soybeans in Sac County. “Things look really good here. We’ve had enough rain to keep us going and not too much, maybe a little...

Illinois Soybean Association calls for WRDA action

Tuesday, July 23

The director of government relations with the Illinois Soybean Association says there needs to be Congressional action on the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). Andrew Larson says securing further lock and dam funding is vital for agriculture. “60% of our soybeans in Illinois are...

Nebraska State Fair taking extra precautions with dairy cattle

Tuesday, July 23

Nebraska is the latest state to require lactating dairy cattle to have a negative H5N1 test to participate in the state fair. According to state fair officials, animals must test negative for the virus within seven days of arrival. Enhanced signage will also be posted...

Crop development behind in northwest Minnesota

Tuesday, July 23

A northwest Minnesota farmer says the growing season has slowed after a fast start. Austen Germolus of Ada tells Brownfield small grain planting began in mid-April. “Which (is) the earliest start for us in a number of years, so the wheat crop got off...