Author: staff

Changing economics can surface the fear that haunts many farmers: losing the farm that has been in the family for generations. Chapter 12 bankruptcies saw a significant rise in filings from farms in 2024. The American Farm Bureau Federation reported 216 farm bankruptcies were filed last year, 55 percent more than 2023. Increasingly, agricultural families and communities are struggling, contributing to higher rates of suicide among farmers. It’s not a surprise that studies have shown that farmer stress increases when animals or crops are diseased. Couple mechanical problems, crazy weather, and no farm bill with the market fluctuations — you…

By Ahmed Aboulenein, Leah Douglas, and Michael Erman WASHINGTON, May 22 (Reuters) – A commission led by U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Thursday issued a report that said processed food, chemicals, stress, and overprescription of medications and vaccines may be factors behind chronic illness in American children. Kennedy said the commission’s report was a “clarion call to do something with utmost urgency to end this crisis” of increasing rates of childhood obesity, diabetes, cancer, mental health disorders, allergies and neurodevelopmental disorders like autism. The report did not call for specific regulatory changes or restrictions on pesticides used in farming,…

As of 8:45 a.m. CT, July corn was down 3¾¢ at $4.57¼ per bushel. July soybeans were up less than a penny at $10.63½ per bushel. July wheat contracts were lower. CBOT wheat was down 5¼¢ at $5.44 per bushel. KC wheat was down 3¾¢ at $5.36¾. Minneapolis wheat was down 3¼¢ at $6.01. “The grain and oilseed markets saw several days of good gains, but now we’re seeing some sellers challenging that strength,” said Arlan Suderman, chief commodities economist at StoneX. “A three-day weekend approaches, with the markets closed on Monday for the Memorial Day holiday. The headlines will…

By Galen Bacharier Western North Carolina’s small businesses and local governments would see grant money under a new relief package proposed by the state House, fulfilling longtime asks from the region. The House aid package, announced Wednesday, comes one day after Gov. Josh Stein asked for $891 million in new relief. He warned of slow and dwindling federal aid, saying the state would likely have to shoulder more of the burden going forward. Inside the $450 million House plan is $60 million to send disaster grants to small businesses in western North Carolina. Businesses could see up to 25% of their economic…

By Olivia Le Poidevin GENEVA, May 21 (Reuters) – China said on Wednesday trade talks with the U.S. were an important step toward bridging gaps but what was really needed was “indispensable” multilateralism to find a way out of global trade turmoil. “While bilateral talks may sometimes work, China believes multilateralism is the inevitable and ultimate choice to address global challenges,” China’smission to the World Trade Organization said in a statement at a two-day meeting of the WTO’s General Council in Geneva. “We need to find the way out,” it added. China and dozens of other countries were stung by a slew of so-called reciprocal tariffsannounced by U.S. President Donald Trump in April, before talks were…

According to the USDA’s Crop Progress report released May 19, corn and soybean planting is behind the five-year average in Kentucky. Here’s a closer look at the numbers from the perspective of a meteorologist and Kentucky farmer.  Corn Planting and Emergence Monday’s report said 63% of Kentucky’s corn is planted, 11 percentage points behind the five-year average. Corn emergence sits at 43%, 9 percentage points behind the five-year average. Shane Holinde, outreach manager for the Kentucky Mesonet, said Kentucky has set a record for the wettest start to the year.  “The amount of rainfall that some counties have received so…

We’ve all seen images of a field full of farmers in combines working to bring in the crop of a neighbor dealing with a catastrophe. Volunteer programs like Farm Rescue come to the aid of farmers and ranchers dealing with a serious injury or illness, death, or natural disaster. But what about things like a broken arm? Working with an injury makes an already dangerous occupation even more risky, and when a primary injury isn’t allowed to properly heal, additional injuries can lead to permanent damage. What happens when a baby is born? Mothers and fathers with corporate jobs are…

Five of the country’s top corn-growing states reported 25% or less of this year’s crop is out of the ground, according to the latest Crop Progress report published by USDA. Farmers in the other 13 top growing states reported emergence ranging from 27% to 88% for the week ended May 18. USDA said, nationwide, 50% of the corn crop has emerged. Pennsylvania With 17% of the state’s corn crop emerged, Pennsylvania reported the smallest amount of emergence progress. However, this is 7 points ahead of the five-year average. Last year at this time, just 7% of the state’s corn crop…

Today, Nebraska’s Gov. Jim Pillen signed LB246, banning the production, sale, promotion and distribution of “fake meat” in Nebraska. The bill was sponsored on the governor’s behalf by state Sen. Barry DeKay. The legislation comes on the heels of Montana and Indiana enacting their own bans in recent weeks, joining Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi. “When I stood in front of a group of producers and ag business owners yesterday and announced my intention to sign this legislation, I was met with applause,” Pillen said. “We need to be willing to protect and preserve our state’s vital ag industry as well…

To remind farmers that help is just a phone call or text away, Sumter County Farm Bureau and Everglades Equipment Group in Florida partnered to put a decal with the 988 suicide prevention and lifeline hotline in every Everglades John Deer cab tractor sold throughout the state. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, seven days a week in the United States. “Farmers face everyday challenges that can take a toll on mental well-being,”…