Farm News
Trade demand expected to drive 2021 grain prices
After a tumultuous 2020, grain markets may hit the reset button in 2021.
Categories: Farm News
2021 projected to be average for grain farmers
The rise of commodity prices in the last quarter of 2020 was a nice surprise for farmers who had doubted for months it would be a profitable year, said Gary Schnitkey, University of Illinois ag economist, at the university’s Farm…
Categories: Farm News
Uncertainty marks 2021 Illinois legislative schedule
As with other industries, agriculture is at a legislative standstill in Illinois.
Categories: Farm News
Budget water quality top issues facing Iowa legislature
Water quality, taxes and budget questions are likely to be major issues facing the Iowa legislature when it convenes Jan. 11, but the COVID-19 pandemic will still be a big factor as well.
Categories: Farm News
U.S. regulators OK genetically modified pig for food, drugs
NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. regulators have approved a genetically modified pig for food and medical products, making it the second such animal to get the green light for human consumption. But the company behind it says there are no…
Categories: Farm News
California researcher discusses options for reducing methane emissions from cattle
There are two ways that livestock producers could reduce methane emissions from cattle, according to new research out the University of California-Davis: using feed additives and implementing manure management practices.
Categories: Farm News
Research links soil-nitrogen levels to corn yield
What exactly is the relationship between soil nitrogen, corn yield and nitrogen loss? Most farmers would be forgiven for assuming a straightforward linear relationship -- more nitrogen, more grain yield and maybe more loss. That’s the assumption many nitrogen-management models…
Categories: Farm News
Farmer remembers delight of dad’s tractor purchase
NASHUA, Iowa — Stan Mehmen remembers the day his family’s new tractor arrived on their northeast Iowa farm.
Categories: Farm News
Missouri farmer remembers 1950 John Deere A
For farmers of all ages, thinking back to their first tractor can bring up a lot of fond memories — of getting started in farming, of planting in long-ago springs and feeding cattle in winters gone by.
Categories: Farm News
State USDA career encompasses farm bills and pandemic
Greg Sidwell grew up on a grain and livestock farm in Cumberland County in southeastern Illinois. Working with his dad and his brother, he knew he would not become a farmer. He also knew he wanted an agriculture-related career.
Categories: Farm News
Technology presents farmers opportunities, decisions
Agriculture has seen dramatic changes from technology in recent decades, and the industry continues to see new innovations on the way to increased efficiency.
Categories: Farm News
Hemp industry faces early challenges
As hemp wraps up its first year as a legal crop in Iowa, a few questions remain for those growing it. The No. 1 question: Where exactly is it going to go?
Categories: Farm News
Livestock producers have more risk management possibilities
MANHATTAN, Kan. — The use of crop insurance by farmers is pretty common across the United States, but not so much with livestock insurance.
Categories: Farm News
Biofuel support, tax credits and transportation top priorities
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.— When the Missouri General Assembly begins its 2021 legislative session Jan. 6, things will look different in the state capitol building, with precautions in place to guard against COVID-19.
Categories: Farm News
Alternative, limited feed powers cows through winter
Grazing season is still several months away, and as snow covers the corn stalks, many cow-calf producers have started to feed hay.
Categories: Farm News
La Niña affects long-range forecasts
Weather is one of the biggest variables to a farm operation. Knowing how many inches of rain will be coming, even a few days out, can be a challenge. When it comes to predicting what will happen in the 2021…
Categories: Farm News
Ad hoc farm payments raise questions
Government assistance to farmers hit a record high this year.
Categories: Farm News
Virus dominates Illinois farm news in 2020
The biggest story of the year in Illinois agriculture — as well as in every other sector of the economy — was COVID-19.
Categories: Farm News
Election, virus rock state of Iowa in 2020
Iowa began the year with a flood of political advertising connected with the state’s celebrated presidential caucuses and ended it with most people wearing face-masks and canceling holiday gatherings.
Categories: Farm News
2020 an eventful year for Missouri agriculture
It was an eventful and unusual year for farmers and rural communities in Missouri, with the coronavirus pandemic altering several aspects of daily life, a variety of weather conditions, a fall surge in crop prices and a busy November election.
Categories: Farm News