Author: staff

Today the USDA released the 35th Crop Progress report of the 2024 growing season. Winter Wheat Progress According to the report, as of Nov. 24, 97% of winter wheat across the top 18 growing states was planted. This was up from 94% the week prior but slightly behind the five-year average of 98%. The USDA said 89% of winter wheat across the top growing states was out of the ground. This was up from 84% the week prior and on track with the five-year average. The report said as of Nov. 24 the condition of the winter wheat crop in…

In a surprise move over the weekend, Texas attorney Brooke Rollins was announced as President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Rollins is the president and CEO of the conservative nonprofit America First Policy Institute (AFPI), which was launched in 2021. “As our next Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke will spearhead the effort to protect American farmers, who are truly the backbone of our country,” Trump said in a statement. The move came one day after a report from CNN pointed toward former Senator Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.) getting the nomination. This was the last major Cabinet…

Getting younger students involved in FFA isn’t just about adding more members — it’s about opening doors early to exciting opportunities. The National FFA Organization recently expanded middle school membership to include fifth through eighth graders, and it’s proving to be a game-changer for students and programs alike. Middle school agriscience classes bring science to life in a way textbooks never could. Instead of just learning theories, students experience hands-on lessons that connect directly to real-world agriculture. This sets them up for a solid foundation in high school science classes. Plus, career and technical education classes let students explore different…

It had been many years since I’d sat down and watched a livestock auction in person. I was pleased to learn that most things about sale barns hadn’t changed. My wife and I raise a few Jersey steers. We normally sell them as halves and quarters of hanging beef to friends and relatives. For some reason, I didn’t have the gumption this fall to get after that process. My recent cancer treatment might have had something to do with this. In any case, we had four steers that had grown quite large and were living large on our grain. I…

Top Third Ag Marketing helps farmers become better agricultural marketers with the goal of marketing crops and livestock in the top third of prices. Mark Gold and his team provide AGDAILY.com with the latest information and a look ahead in their audio commentary. Listen here! https://www.agdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/top-third-agdaily-2024-11-25.mp3 The post Markets in Minutes: Top Third looks ahead for week of Nov. 25, 2024 appeared first on AGDAILY.

As Americans prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving with family gatherings, National Farmers Union released the updated “Farmer’s Share of the Food Dollar” for items typically enjoyed during a Thanksgiving meal. These figures reveal how much family farmers earn compared to the amount consumers pay at the grocery store. “Consumers may notice higher prices this year for many of the ingredients used in their Thanksgiving meals as they prepare to gather around tables filled with cherished holiday dishes. These rising costs, however, often don’t translate to fair compensation for America’s family farmers and ranchers,” said Rob Larew, NFU President. Larew blames corporate…

DAILY Bites Dairy cows’ ability to transition between lying and standing is a key welfare indicator, traditionally monitored through time-consuming human observation. A Swedish study introduced a 3D pose estimation model that detects these movements with 88% accuracy, matching human observation without added bias. This automated tool offers consistent, objective data, paving the way for improved welfare monitoring and informed decision-making for farmers. DAILY Discussion Dairy cows typically rest for 10 or more hours a day, so a dry, clean, and comfortable place — such as a freestall — to lie down and rest is essential for their health, well-being,…

Have you ever wondered what the differences in tires really mean? What features are best for your specific applications? Read on for the tire showdown! Bias vs. Radial The key difference between bias and radial construction is in the tire carcass and the material construction of the tires, according to Greg Gilland, Business Development and Ag Segment Manager for Maxam Tire International. Maxam “Radial tires use a single radial casing as a spring to push the working belts onto the working surface. This creates a uniform contact patch for the tire tread to deliver both the necessary traction and friction…

DAILY Bite New World screwworm was found in a cow near Mexico’s border with Guatemala, prompting APHIS to intensify efforts to stop its northward spread. APHIS has restricted animal commodity imports from Mexico and urges vigilance among southern border producers to protect livestock. APHIS and partners are releasing sterile flies and collaborating to reestablish a barrier zone in Panama to halt screwworm’s advance. DAILY Discussion On November 22, 2024, the Chief Veterinary Officer of Mexico notified the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of a positive detection of New World screwworm in Mexico. The NWS…

What’s Happened Harvest has wrapped up for most of the Midwest. Corn that needed to be sold off the combine at harvest has come to town to be sold. The remaining harvested bushels are now secure in farmer bins at home. With year-end bills such as land rent, fertilizer costs, and seed purchases likely due soon, farmers may be considering whether they should sell some corn from the bin in the near future. Over the past month, corn futures prices have traded in a relatively lackluster 20-cent range. The market remains well supported by strong ethanol and export demand. Yet,…