CROP PROGRESS:
Good Morning I’m Clinton Griffiths. Wheat harvesters are rolling in parts of the south and they could yield some big crops. Meanwhile, Virginia is looking at an outstanding crop, 79% of its crop is now good or excellent another 19% is fair.
For farmers on the east coast, crops are coming in nicely thanks to recent showers.
CORNBELT:
As far as soybeans, USDA says nearly half is planted. That's almost double the average pace.
State's like North Dakota and Indiana are 40 points ahead. As far as the corn crop 87% is planted and 56% has emerged. That emergence is double the average. And tomorrow, Tyne Morgan wraps-up the I-80 planting tour.
LIGHTSQUARED:
Wireless company Lightsquared filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Monday. The startup hit rocky waters after the federal communications commission revoked its request to build a national wireless network. The FCC found its signal interfered with GPS units used in agriculture, aviation and other industries. Lightsquared is said to have more than 1 billion dollars in assets and liabilities.
SCOTUS BANKRUPTCY:
The Supreme Court says farm families facing bankruptcy must still pay their taxes.
WHEY FACTOR:
California dairy producers are raising a red flag over the state's milk pricing system. The controversy is over the whey factor a byproduct of cheese. California producers say there's a discrepancy in what they get for whey versus what other states get under federal marketing orders. One California dairy group says producers are losing 300 million dollars a year under the current pricing system.
USDA BIRTHDAY:
The US Department of Agriculture is marking a milestone today. It was 150 years ago today that president Abraham Lincoln signed into law a measure that created the US Department of Agriculture.
BARNWOOD BIRDHOUSE:
Old barns have become treasures in the country. Driving through the countryside, many barns have a story to tell with the distressed wood, chipped paint and windows that seem to provide a glimpse back in time. In this report provided by North Dakota affiliate KFYR, Cliff Naylor shows us one North Dakota craftsman who has discovered a way to salvage that old treasure by turning it into something new.
FRESH VEGETABLES:
Healthy and convenient, two words that don't always go together when consumers are looking for something fast to eat. A new report shows, however, that could change in the next five years with more demand for value added fresh vegetables.
YAMAHA:
Before we go this morning we want to remind you about our big giveaway. AgDay has teamed-up with Yamaha to giveaway this "Rhino 700". It's loaded with accessories that will come-in handy for just about any job on any size farm or ranch. The deadline to enter is now one week away.