Author: staff

There have been ups and downs in the growing season for multiple states in the Corn Belt during planting season — particularly drought in Nebraska and South Dakota. Heading into the “wild card” summer months, however, Weather 20/20 Owner and CEO Gary Lezak thinks much of the top 18 corn and soybean growing states are in a decent spot.  What‘s Happening Now? Drought Monitor Recent days have brought heavy rains in Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. In Kansas, rainfall has led to flash flooding and a state of disaster declaration by Gov. Laura Kelly. Local stations have reported torrential rains have…

Nearly 300 workers in Momence, Illinois, were left without jobs on Monday following the abrupt closure of a Johnsonville Foods facility that had long been a cornerstone of the community. According to ABC7 Chicago, the sausage manufacturer notified 274 employees that the Momence Packing Company building was closing effective immediately. The plant, which has provided steady employment in Momence for more than 60 years, had been operated by Johnsonville Foods for the past three decades. The sudden shutdown shocked workers and city officials alike. “It’s like they didn’t even care about us. You know, same day?” former employee Lupe Hernandez…

The June WASDE report is due Thursday, June 12. Going into the report, here is what farmers need to know about the corn, soybean, and wheat markets, and what Grain Market Insider will be looking for in the updated balance sheets. As a reminder, the May WASDE report showed U.S. old-crop corn carryout decreasing by 50 million bushels, old-crop soybean ending stocks decreasing by 25 million bushels, and wheat stocks decreasing slightly. Initial ending stocks estimates for new-crop corn and soybeans were below expectations while wheat stocks were above.  Corn Market Expectations Last month, 2024/2025 U.S. corn carryout was lowered…

DAILY Bites Whole genome analysis of 160 parasite samples revealed no recent hybridization between Schistosoma haematobium (human) and Schistosoma bovis (cattle). Evidence of ancient gene flow suggests some cattle parasite genes persist in human parasites, similar to Neanderthal DNA in humans. Parasite populations differ between northern and southern Africa, possibly due to variations in snail hosts, highlighting a need for region-specific control strategies. DAILY Discussion Parasitic worms that infect humans are not interbreeding with those that infect cattle as previously thought. This is good news for when it comes to controlling schistosomiasis, a disease caused by these worms that affects…

Bayer has developed new tomato varieties that provide growers advanced solutions in their fight against tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV). These will launch this year in every major glasshouse tomato segment and provide multi-stacked virus-resistant genes for more durable protection against ToBRFV mutations. The first generation of resistant tomato varieties have helped ensure produce quality and consistent supply over recent years, but plant RNA viruses like ToBRFV mutate quickly. This means varieties with single-source resistance are more vulnerable to attack, but stacking multiple resistant genes that disrupt different stages of the plant-virus interaction can offer better protection. “Resistance-breaking ToBRFV…

When Jaclyn Wilson was a little girl growing up on the Wilson Flying Diamond Ranch in the Sandhills of northwest Nebraska, her grandparents gave her a subscription to National Geographic magazine every year for Christmas.  Each issue transported young Jaclyn to exotic locations around the globe. “I’d unfold the maps and hang them all over my bedroom,” she said. The articles taught her about the importance of conservation, lessons echoed by her grandparents and parents, who restored wetlands and made other efforts to care for the environment on their ranch. In 1998, National Geographic published a feature on the Nebraska…

DAILY Bites The F8 and F9 Series include new engine options ranging from 425PS to 1,020PS, offering more power choices and improved fuel efficiency. Automation features such as ground speed adjustment and single-touch harvest settings are designed to reduce manual input and operator fatigue. Updates to the kernel processor, inoculant system, and cab layout aim to improve feed quality, simplify maintenance, and enhance visibility. DAILY Discussion John Deere has announced the launch of its new F8 and F9 Series self-propelled forage harvesters (SPFHs), designed and built from the ground up with customer input to elevate forage performance, fuel efficiency, operator…

As of 8:30 a.m. CT, July corn was up 5½¢ at $4.44 per bushel. July soybeans were up 5½¢ at $10.46¼ per bushel. July wheat contracts were mixed. CBOT wheat was up 2¾¢ at $5.38¾ per bushel. KC wheat was unchanged at $5.36¾. Minneapolis wheat was up 1¾¢ at $6.19¾. Yesterday morning, Naomi Blohm, senior market advisor at Total Farm Marketing, said corn and soybeans would either see “bargain buying” and find support, or technical selling would take over and likely impact the rest of the week. This morning, Blohm said, “Yesterday’s firmer close was impressive and important from a…

In The Wizard of Oz, Glinda the Good informs Dorothy that to get home, “You’ve always had the power, my dear. You’ve had it all along.” Whether they realize it or not, farmers, like Dorothy, have also always had answers to some of the most pressing questions. The way to true economic and environmental sustainability in agriculture does not lie in some soil additive or special piece of equipment, because those are tools, not solutions. Finding the answer to a particular dilemma comes from asking the right questions. How does the soil (or ruby slippers) truly function? Healthy soil can…

By Cami Koons Farmers in Iowa had a productive week as warmer and drier conditions allowed plenty of time for in-field activities, including finishing up planting and beginning to spray emerged corn and soybeans.  Nearly 80% of soybeans have emerged across the state, which is 10 days ahead of last year’s crop and four days ahead of average pace. Corn acres across the state are 87% emerged, putting the crop nearly a week ahead of last year and one day ahead of the five-year average.  Organic farmers like Aaron Lehman, who farms in northern Polk County, had a slightly slower…