Author: staff

Weather woes continued for Brazil in November, slowing planting of soybeans. In the Central-West region, including the important soybean-growing state of Mato Grosso, hot and dry conditions on the whole kept soil moisture too dry for planting. According to data from WeatherTrends360, November 2023 was the hottest and driest November in 30-plus years. Meanwhile, too much rain slowed planting progress in southern Brazil, and this was the 2nd-wettest November in 30-plus years for Rio Grande do Sul. The excessive rain caused flooding in parts of southern Brazil during the month. As the calendar flips to December, this general weather theme…

Decisions around sow barn remodeling, reducing sow herd inventory, and adjusting gilt flow are some of the challenges U.S. pork producers face as they explore and consider options to make farms compliant with California’s Proposition 12 requirements. A new resource from the Iowa Pork Industry Center offers information for producers planning to transition their production. Matt Romoser, swine specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, is one of the authors. He said the goal of the publication, “Sow Management Considerations with California Proposition 12,” was to provide some considerations for producers on how to manage the breeding herd under…

Showpig and the National Pork Board are partnering to enhance and support the show pig industry. This collaboration focuses on delivering practical resources, educational programs, and advocacy support to producers and exhibitors. Showpig and the NPB are partnering to provide valuable resources and education to the show pig community. This alliance is a commitment to the growth and prosperity of the show pig sector. By pooling assets and expertise, Showpig and the NPB aim to create needed education for the pork industry specifically tailored to the show pig sector.  “This partnership marks a significant milestone for both Showpig and the…

U.S. net farm income will be a stronger-than-expected $151 billion this year, the second-highest total on record, estimated the Agriculture Department on Thursday. That’s roughly $10 billion higher than the August forecast and due chiefly to cost cutting by producers, aided by lower fertilizer, fuel, and feed prices. Although net farm income, a broad gauge of profitability, would be down sharply from the record $182.8 billion of 2022, it would be far above the 10-year average of $101.5 billion. “One of the best years on record for the overall farm sector,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. Although production expenses this year…

Exceptional drought conditions continue to impact nearly three-quarters of the state of Louisiana. Cattle producers say some land has deep cracks that can break ankles and water troughs have been put out where they’ve never been needed before. Shannon Midkiff, a cow/calf producer in DeRidder, Louisiana, says the drought has impacted his operation “tremendously” this year.  Midkiff says, not only has his herd been affected, but he’s seeing the economic strain of the drought. He was only able to grow and harvest 25% of the hay that he normally produces to feed his herd through the winter months. As a…

U.S. farm exports will be the smallest in four years due to lower prices for wheat, corn, and cotton, said the Agriculture Department on Thursday. China would remain the No. 1 customer for food and ag products, with Mexico a close second. In a quarterly forecast, the USDA estimated food and ag exports at $169.5 billion this fiscal year, down 5 percent from fiscal 2023, which ended on Sept. 30. Imports were pegged at $200 billion, “largely driven by the strong U.S. dollar and resilient domestic demand.” The agricultural trade deficit of $30.5 billion, the largest ever, would be nearly…

GROWMARK, Inc. has partnered with InnerPlant on a commercial pilot of InnerSoy, the world’s first soybean fungal sensor. InnerPlant genetically engineers plants to emit optical signals when the plants are stressed from a lack of water or nutrients, or under attack from pathogens, like fungi. Using specialized equipment such as drones or satellites to detect the plant’s signals, farmers get the earliest possible warning to take action to protect their crops. The program will establish a number of sentinel plots located near production soybean farms to provide precision scouting and improved agronomic intelligence.  “GROWMARK’s focus on providing farmers with the tools they need to…

The Center for Dairy Excellence recently awarded a collective total of $205,000 to 41 Pennsylvania dairy producers through the latest Dairy Excellence Grant program round. Leveraging funds provided through the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, this investment from Ag Excellence has supported a collective reinvestment of more than $3,894,639 into Pennsylvania dairy farms across all of the funded projects to date. The grants are designed to support dairy farm improvement projects that enhance efficiency and cow comfort. “This grant program has really helped Pennsylvania dairy producers advance their operations, drive efficiency, and commit to cow comfort over…

By John McCracken Over the past two decades, Greg Gunthorp carved out a niche operating a small meat processing plant in northern Indiana. He sold several kinds of meat to chic Chicago and Indianapolis restaurants and to Chicago O’Hare International Airport, he said. He also sold direct to consumers. But selling in grocery stores was not an option, as the largest meatpackers often have those contracts. In his circumstances, he found it difficult to compete in the chicken industry, and he recently stopped raising and slaughtering the bird. “In an extremely concentrated marketplace,” he said, “it’s difficult for a small…

Governor Kathy Hochul announced this month that Hypercell Technologies of Peachtree Corners, Georgia, is the grand prize winner of this year’s Grow-NY business competition. Grow-NY is a startup challenge focused on enhancing the emerging food, beverage, and agriculture innovation cluster in Central New York, the Finger Lakes, and the Southern Tier. Now in its fifth year, the program awarded $3 million- including the $1 million grand prize to seven finalists participating in the business development accelerator and two-day pitch competition at the Grow-NY Summit this year, which was held in Binghamton. The winning teams must commit to operating in the…