Crop Production
Contrary to popular opinion in the world of corn farming, startling new data shows that the variability in cornstalks is actually greater in higher-yielding corn acres rather than lower-yielding tracts.
During periods of rising corn and soybean prices, costs of fertilizer, pesticides, and other inputs rise in tandem.
The National Restaurant Association says wholesale food prices remain on track to post their largest annual increase since 2014.
Rains continue to fall across portions of the Midwest this week, a sign one ag meteorologist says could mean Midwestern drought conditions have peaked. However, the news isn’t as promising for the northern Corn Belt.
Why do you put so much focus on driving higher yields per acre?
Weather was a major factor, but the attention is also on USDA’s June acreage report set for Wednesday, June 30. Mark Gold and Chip Nellinger talk about weather and acreage leading into the big report.
Areas of the Corn Belt in need of moisture are finally seeing rain this week, but it came with severe crop damage to portions of Iowa after hail wiped out some farm fields this week.
A perfect stand sets the stage for high ear count at harvest. But what if, despite your best efforts, a stand starts out troubled? Don’t give up.
The molecule will give farmers a new tool in the ongoing battle to control these two broadleaf weeds, especially those populations with resistance to current, commonly used chemistries.
Brazil’s worst water crisis in almost a century will impact river navigation and make transportation of goods more expensive in the world’s largest exporter of commodities ranging from soybeans to coffee and sugar.
The undertaking is so big that the agency employs two different surveys.
NOAA’s annual hurricane outlook released this month shows the agency predicts another above-normal Atlantic hurricane season. NOAA’s outlook points to a 60% chance of an above-normal season.
As rains drop needed moisture for areas of the country dealing with drought and in need of relief, the situation is growing more dire in the West.
Total U.S. sorghum acres are projected to reach 6.91 million acres this season, according to the most recent USDA Prospective Plantings Report. Acres could go even higher, as Kansas growers are just starting to plant.
USDA’s report this week showed 76% of the U.S. corn crop is rated good to excellent, 2 points better than last year. The ratings are causing confusion for farmers seeing struggling crop stands due to weather extremes.
Nationwide, USDA shows 72% of the corn crop is rated good to excellent, which is a 4 percentage point drop from last week. This week’s rating is also 3 points behind last year.
One problem is soil temperature related while the other occurs at a specific growth stage. Both can take a bite out of bushels available at harvest.
The act that helped open the country to settlement by farmers and veterans, the Homestead Act, is now approaching its 160-year anniversary. In use until 1986, some 270 million acres were claimed and settled.
Drought conditions have lessened a bit in portions of North Dakota thanks to some rain, but frigid temperatures late last week and into the weekend also took its toll on crops across the upper Midwest.
The dire drought situation is one USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey thinks could last through at least the remainder of 2021. Forecasts also point to a drier weather pattern returning for Texas and the Plains.
Adjusting inputs can yield $100 more per acre.
As drought conditions in the West are continuing to expand, hotter temperatures aren’t helping things. Heat that started building over the weekend is not good news for areas already dealing with that drought.
It’s a steady theme since USDA introduced corn crop condition ratings this year. The quality of the crop continues to decline, with corn dropping 4 points each week. Soybean conditions also fell.
The latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows nearly 10% of the contiguous U.S. is now under an “exceptional drought,” which is the highest the rate has been since 2011.
USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says dryness is a major factor impacting corn condition ratings in some areas. U.S. corn crop condition ratings dropped another 4 points this week, according to the latest USDA report.
Could Palmer amaranth, the king of resistant weeds and crippler of herbicides, be dethroned by its own sex drive? A herbicide-free technology is under testing and aims to attack pigweed with its own pollen.
Iowa farmer Kyle Mehmen will join Farm Journal Editor Clinton Griffiths to answer your questions and share his experiences with carbon programs at 9 a.m. Central on June 22.
U.S. farmers are poised to expand plantings of sorghum by nearly 20% this year, a far larger percentage than soy or corn acres, as sorghum is particularly appealing this year since it’s more resistant to drought.
Wild weather over the weekend left some farmers are assessing the damage. Powerful winds and heavy rain hit some fields hard, with down corn as a result. after weekend rains and winds hit some fields hard.
USDA’s weekly Crop Progress report released Monday shows the corn crop condition ratings fell nationwide, down to 65% good to excellent. That compares to the 68% rated posted last week.