Agfax

Producers nationwide face thin or negative margins, rising input costs and economic pressure not seen in decades — forcing some to make the tough choice of whether they can afford to keep farming.

From Texas through the Mid-South, defoliation decisions are top of mind, while Georgia deals with a new insect threat, the jassid leafhopper, which has severely affected some acres.

If the legal challenge succeeds, the federal court decision would result in making the technology unavailable for sale or distribution to U.S. farmers.

Will this be the summer of drought that never fully materialized for these two crops? While there are areas of dryness, both continue to flourish. Here’s a look at how August weather is expected to finish out this week across the country, as September comes into view.

After months of negotiations, the two countries struck a deal to lower the so-called “reciprocal tariffs” from a proposed 25% to 15%, and said increased rice shipments from the U.S. to Japan are part of the deal.

In addition to major tax provisions, the bill enhances the current safety net, providing $66 billion in new spending for farm programs.

That percentage doesn’t tell the complete story, however. While farmers in the West and southeast Texas have endured weeks of dry conditions that’s not been the case in the central Corn Belt where growing conditions have been excellent.

Shawn Hackett, Hackett Financial Advisors, says the June 30 reports have traditionally produced some fireworks, especially as they coincide with the end of the month and quarter which also triggers some portfolio re-balancing by the funds, but that didn’t happen Monday.

Matt Bennett, AgMarket.Net says, the corn market is breathing a sigh of relief as some whisper numbers on acreage were substantially larger than the March intentions.

Hear from the likes of AGCO, Claas, John Deere and others about what each farm equipment manufacturer is planning to invest in its U.S. manufacturing footprint.