High Input Costs Continue to Weigh Down Farmer Expectations
High input costs continue growing as a top concern for U.S. producers. The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer dropped from May to June. Michael Langemeier, the director of the Center for Commercial Agriculture at Purdue University, talked about the most recent numbers. "The Purdue University/CME Grou...
Pork Industry Involvement in Foreign and Emerging Disease Planning
Dr. Patrick Webb, assistant chief veterinarian with the National Pork Board, said the threat of detecting a foreign and emerging animal disease in the U.S. underscores the importance of ensuring producers have the documentation tools and preparedness plans to prevent, detect, and quickly respond, if needed. Investment ...
Grain Markets Caught Between Two Wars
This week, President Donald Trump announced a plan for the U.S. to take control of the Strait of Hormuz. He implemented a 20% charge on all cargo passing through the route as reimbursement for security costs. Extension Ag Economist Frayne Olson with North Dakota State University says the re-escalation of the war betwee...
Latin American Opportunities for U.S. Exports are Increasing
There are multiple opportunities in Latin America for U.S. ethanol exports. Marri Tejada, regional director for Latin America with the U.S. Grains and BioProducts Council, said the biggest opportunities are in countries with ethanol mandates in place and limited local production. "So, in Latin America, Colombia is...
Acreage Report Focuses on Weather as Wheat Acres Hit Record Low
The June acreage report from USDA generally doesn't deliver surprises, according to Ed Usset, an extension professor in the Department of Applied Economics at the University of Minnesota. While corn and soybeans didn't turn heads, wheat did draw some attention this go around. "Wheat acres are down to 42.7 million ...
Grain Bin Rescues Are Almost as Dangerous as Actually Falling in the Grain
Grain bin accidents are one of the most unfortunate incidents in all agriculture. New information from the University of Illinois shows that many of the people who are injured or killed in the incidents are people who attempted to rescue the trapped individual. Dave Newcomb, the ag rescue program manager for the Illino...
Sid Miller Talks Screwworm Impact on Stock Shows
The latest figures from the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service show 20 active domestic cases of New World screwworm - all in Texas. Would the Texas Department of Agriculture ever restrict cattle at shows and fairs if the outbreak worsened? Commissioner Sid Miller responds. "No, I mean, this is not a c...
Country Music Star John Rich Fighting for Landowners' Rights
President Donald Trump has appointed country music artist John Rich of Big and Rich as a special envoy for American landowners at the USDA. Rich said that he will serve as an advocate for farmers and ranchers with a focus on protecting private property rights. "This rule came about because of a really serious figh...
AFBF: USDA Row Crop Reports Provide Insight Into Farm Economy
The USDA's June Acreage Report showed minor shifts in planting, with fewer corn acres and more soybeans planted. Faith Parum, an economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation, said farmers planted less wheat too. "And a lot less wheat than expected. We did kind of see in the March Intentions Report that wheat...
Rain Brings Some Relief After Record Heat Across the Carolinas
For the last week or so, we have seen 100-degree temperatures, heat indexes almost to 110. But over the last couple of days, we have started to see some rain around the Carolinas. And how is that going to improve the temperature and the drought map? We've got State Assistant Climatologist Corey Davis here. Corey, let's...