Author: staff

Chapter 12 bankruptcy, a critical financial safety net for farmers and ranchers, saw a significant rise in filings in 2024. As reported by the American Farm Bureau Federation, 216 farm bankruptcies were filed last year, marking a 55 percent increase from 2023. While this remains significantly lower than the 2019 peak of 599 filings, it ends a four-year downward trend, raising concerns about the long-term financial health of the agricultural sector. The increase in Chapter 12 bankruptcies was widespread across the country. The Midwest experienced the highest number of filings, with a 69 percent increase totaling 71 cases. The Southeast…

With increasing prices and price competitiveness in the last few months, CoBank is forecasting corn to pull acres from soybeans, spring wheat, cotton, and grain sorghum across U.S. farms in 2025.  The forecast is based on statistical regression analysis and conversations with U.S. cooperatives and merchandisers that market the major crops. Authored by Tanner Ehmke – lead economist for grains and oilseeds in CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange research division – the report projects the total U.S. planted acreage for major crops and outlines scenarios and global market dynamics that could impact how acres will be allocated in the weeks leading up…

DAILY Bites U.S. egg-laying hens and chicken inventory fell 2%, with egg production down 1%. Egg prices hit $7.46 per dozen in January, more than double last year’s $2.94.  HPAI outbreaks cut supply, raising prices and driving consumer shifts. DAILY Discussion The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s annual Chicken and Eggs Summary reports a slight decline in U.S. poultry numbers and egg production in 2024. The average number of egg-laying hens fell to 375 million, a 2 percent drop from the previous year, while egg production declined 1 percent to 109 billion eggs. The total U.S. chicken inventory also decreased by…

New Holland is expanding transmission options and adding heavy duty features to its PowerStar medium utility tractor for model year 2025.   The new models in the updated PowerStar series range from 86—117 hp, and run on a FPT Industrial 3.6-liter four-cylinder engine. New Holland touts a larger fuel tank and 600-hour service intervals on the series.  The 12×12 transmission with a column-mounted electronic power shuttle is available on the three largest models — the PowerStar 100, 110 and 120. The 24×24 Dual Command transmission is available as an option on all four models. The Dual Command transmission features the same…

The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) has found its teeth again — thanks to a U.S. District Court Judge in Texas. Enforcement of a law meant to shine light into shell companies used in money laundering had been on hold due to an injunction issued by that same Judge last January. On Monday, however, Judge Jeremy Kernodle of the Eastern District of Texas reversed his order, responding to an appeal from the Justice Department. On Tuesday, U.S. Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) announced that it’s giving most affected business owners until March 21 to comply with the law. That…

The cold storage supply chain is a vital component of global fruit and vegetable distribution. ROTTERDAM, Netherlands — On both U.S. coasts, vessels set sail carrying grain and dry goods across the Atlantic or Pacific. Yet beyond these visible bulk shipments, a sophisticated network of cold storage containers ensures the seamless international trade of fresh fruits and vegetables. Whether by truck, ship, or plane, the journey from farm to market is a logistical feat, requiring precision and scale. However, the United States does not engage in global shipping and logistics like much of the world. Not a single U.S. port…

By Ceyda Caglayan and Tom Polansek ISTANBUL/CHICAGO, Feb 19 (Reuters) – Turkey has begun exporting around 15,000 tonnes of eggs to the United States as a devastating outbreak of bird flu is slashing U.S. production and sending prices soaring, a leading sector official said on Wednesday. Deaths of millions of laying hens imperil U.S. President Donald Trump’s pledge to bring down everyday costs, as grocery stores ration supplies and restaurants raise prices for egg dishes. Shipments to the U.S. from Turkey began this month and will continue until July, said Ibrahim Afyon, chairman of the Egg Producers Central Union in…

Even though he has nearly 70 classic tractors in his collection, Rich Bergeson insists every one of them has a story. That even goes for the 15 Allis-Chalmers D21 models he owns. It’s not surprising that the largest percentage of tractors in his collection are Allis-Chalmers models. Bergeson, who farms with his brother, Bill, near Ransom, Illinois, can still remember the day their dad went to a sale in Kentucky to purchase an Allis-Chalmers D10. Later, their dad bought a D17 Series 4, which Rich says hooked him for life, particularly since his great uncle had an Allis-Chalmers dealership in…

How much feed does a beef cow need to get through the winter? Probably less than you think, says Mary Drewnoski, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension beef specialist. Here are her 10 tips for saving money on feed in the cold season. 1. Know a Cow’s Nutritional Requirements The big differences are between mid-gestation and late-gestation. “In mid-gestation the calf is not growing much, so the needs are considerably less,” Drewnoski said. “Then they pick up in late gestation. And, lots of people miss the higher nutritional needs of early lactation. Don’t fudge then if you want cows to rebreed.” 2.…

Lab-grown meat cultured from animal cells has been marketed as more environmentally sustainable than raising a beef animal. However, research from the University of California-Davis suggests the carbon footprint of cell-cultured meat is more extensive than the industry has let on.  Researchers at UC-Davis studied the energy cycle and greenhouse gas emissions in each production stage of lab-grown meat and compared it to the farm-to-plate production of raising a beef steer. Creating Lab-Grown Meat Currently, the lab-grown meat industry faces the challenge of using purified growth media, which uses living organisms to create ingredients to multiply animal cells, similar to…