Crops
Cotton planting sits at 7% nationwide, on track with the average, and as drought blankets the home of what’s known as the largest cotton patch in the country, dwindling crop outlooks are feeding cotton prices.
China made another large buy of U.S. corn. Market analysts say food security concerns are driving the country’s increased appetite for commodities, a trend that could continue to bring China back to the U.S.
In hot-box style, five diverse farm technologies—Salin 247, Susterre, Phinite, BovIQ, and Holganix—took center stage at Top Producer Summit in Nashville, Tenn., on Feb. 15.
A well-stocked tractor cab sets the stage for a smooth planting season. Beyond good snacks and a solid playlist, a perfectly packed cab kit can reduce a planting frustration or two.
Availability could be a challenge this season. If you can only make one application, pull the trigger between tassel and R3 in corn and between R2 and R3 in soybeans, advises Ken Ferrie, Farm Journal Field Agronomist.
The invasive, jumping worm makes its way through 14 states in the Midwest, disturbing native soil and plant species and causing an infestation with only one worm.
Running a high-speed disk with gang angles can put in compaction layers if soil is too wet. Same thing can happen with wheel tracks from vertical tillage. Make a soil ribbon to evaluate conditions and guide decisions.
McKaskle Family Farm finds ways to prove additionality in their long-standing regenerative operation.
Grain and oilseed prices on the CME made gains Friday, despite USDA releasing what some grain analysts described as a slightly bearish World Agricultural Supply and Estimates (WASDE) report.
USDA will give an updated look at supply and demand in the April WASDE report. From Ukraine to South America, Joe Vaclavik discusses possible supply and demand adjustments in Friday’s report.
The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is accusing Russia of using hunger as a weapon. He claims Russian forces are deliberately targeting the country’s essential food supplies.
USDA released the first crop progress report of the season, and it showed cotton planting is running slightly behind with 4% of the U.S cotton crop currently planted. One meteorologist says drought may be a factor.
One of the biggest ag supply chain stories this spring has been pesticides. While my experience is these situations are usually overblown early, the situation could alter the way farmers do business in the years ahead.
As farmers prepare for planting, supply chain concerns are rampant. Input availability issues could be a factor farmers battle all spring with a recent ag retail survey finding chemistry is in the shortest supply.
Livestock farmers, including those who previously paid to have animal waste removed, have found a fertile side business selling to grain farmers. Equipment firms that make manure spreading equipment are also benefiting.
Weather conditions can guide planting conditions. The calendar plays a role, too. Watch the brief video on soybean maturities and why night length is so important to the flowering process.
A buying group provides preferential access to a collection of farmers or acres.
USDA’s first Crop Progress Report of the year showed only 27% of the nation’s winter wheat crop is rated “good,” far below the trade’s expectations. The numbers show the battle against drought is brutal in winter wheat.
Nearly 4 million acres of CRP expire this year. Secy. Vilsack wrote to National Grain and Feed Association’s Mike Seyfert to share converting CRP is “unfeasible.” However, Vilsack did offer one caveat in his letter.
China came in with a major buy to start the week. USDA confirmed in its daily export sales report that Beijing purchased 1.084 million tonnes of U.S. corn marking the biggest buy since May of 2021.
Nick Gordiichuk estimates farmers will plant about 25% of their crops this year. He has no idea when he will get back into fields. Many contain landmines, unexploded rockets and war’s debris.
Commodity prices won’t grow less volatile over the next several months. So, what’s a potential game plan for locking in feed prices? Friday’s market action may be one example of what producers can do to manage risk.
Gear your control efforts toward weeds that emerge when air temperatures are between 40 and 70 degrees °F. These include ragweed species, common lambsquarters, burcucumber, kochia, common sunflower and marestail.
Ukrainian farmers had sown about 400,000 hectares (988,000 acres) with various spring crops by Thursday, or a tenth more than by the same date last year, despite the Russian invasion, said deputy ag minister.
Colorado farmer Brian Brooks thinks 80% of the dryland winter wheat in his area may not survive, as some acres didn’t even sprout. Prevent plant for spring may be his only option without moisture in the coming weeks.
USDA’s Prospective Plantings report came with some shocks as farmers revealed 2022 planting plans. Despite the higher than expected soybean acreage numbers, some analysts say the soybean balance sheet is still tight.
For weed control in soybeans you need a back-up plan to your back-up plan this season.
Do your planting intentions align with the USDA data released on March 31? Share your thoughts in our poll.
Concern about water quality has spurred nutrient reduction incentive programs and, in some cases, regulations. If you haven’t been affected by one, you probably soon will be.
The Ukranian government announced removal of corn and sunflower oil export license requirements to allow for easier exports, while also hoping the sale of the commodities will provide money for spring planting.