Author: staff

Bayer has announced that Cornfed Farms, a fourth-generation family farm in Iowa County, Iowa, operated by the Mohr family, is the first Bayer ForwardFarm site in the United States. The designation places Cornfed Farms among just 16 farms worldwide recognized by Bayer for advancing regenerative agriculture that supports both profitability and environmental stewardship. Bayer’s ForwardFarming initiative partners with select farms across the globe to demonstrate innovative and sustainable farming practices. The goal: to showcase how regenerative agriculture can drive both economic and environmental benefits through collaboration, education, and knowledge-sharing. “We believe that regenerative agriculture is essential for the future of…

By Cassandra Garrison MEXICO CITY, Oct. 6 (Reuters) – Mexico’s agriculture ministry said on Monday another case of the flesh-eating screwworm parasite was detected in Nuevo Leon, which borders the United States, marking the state’s second confirmed case in about two weeks. The infested calf had originated from the south of Mexico and was intercepted in the town of Montemorelos, south of Monterrey. None of the other 84 animals in the same shipment were found to be infested, the ministry said in a statement. The New World screwworm larvae, which infest and can kill livestock if untreated, in the detected case were…

As of 8:50 a.m. CT, December corn was up 2¢ at $4.23¾ per bushel. November soybeans were up 6½¢ at $10.24¼ per bushel. December CBOT wheat was unchanged at $5.12¾ per bushel. December KC wheat was up a penny at $4.96½ per bushel. December Minneapolis wheat was down less than a penny at $5.56¼. “Grain and soybean futures again showed limited movement in the early trading session as market participants remained cautious amid an absence of fresh fundamental news with the federal government shutdown entering its seventh day,” The Brock Report said this morning of the overnight session. “Harvest pressure…

By Ruma Paul DHAKA, Oct. 7 (Reuters) – Bangladesh has approved the purchase of about 220,000 metric tons of U.S. wheat under a government-to-government deal aimed at easing trade tensions with Washington after import tariffs were imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration. The Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase cleared the deal on Tuesday, officials said. The wheat, priced at $308 per ton, will be supplied through Agrocorp International, a Singapore-based trading house authorized by U.S. Wheat Associates, according to official documents. The agreement follows a memorandum of understanding signed in July for Bangladesh to import 700,000 metric tons of wheat annually from the United…

The SCN Coalition, in partnership with Syngenta, Indigo, and BASF, has named today National Nematode Day in an effort to raise awareness about the threat of soybean cyst nematode (SCN). The pest is the No. 1 yield-robbing pathogen for soybeans in North America, costing producers an estimated $1.5 billion in yield loss each year.  Although obvious symptoms of the pest may not have shown up in the field this year, yield losses may have occurred undetected.  “I think it’s going to be a deceptive year for a lot of growers because we’ve had a little bit more rain than usual,”…

In my career, I’ve never worked on a farm. But I’ve frequently worked somewhere with a vacancy. Whether in an office or on a farm, I imagine the strain of being understaffed is the same. You want that vacancy filled and the new person brought up to speed as soon as possible. Shannon Sand, agricultural economics Extension educator at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, said a formal onboarding process can help.  “Just understanding who to go to if you have questions counts for a lot,” she said.  Sand has expertise in risk management, strategic planning, business planning, and finance. She said research…

Walk down any Main Street in any town and you’ll see “Help Wanted” signs in the windows of restaurants, gas stations, and other businesses.  With the national unemployment rate hovering around 4%, finding employees is difficult, no matter the location. According to a survey by the employment company Manpower, 70% of U.S. employers said they were unable to find suitable employees for current job vacancies.  Agricultural employers face additional challenges, including higher wages being offered in other industries, an aging rural population, young people leaving rural areas, migrant workers becoming settled, and changing immigration policies. Can Ag Compete? Shannon Sand…

The Texas Department of Agriculture has enacted an emergency statewide quarantine to stop the spread of the invasive two-spotted cotton leafhopper, also known as the cotton jassid, a pest posing a grave threat to Texas’ multi-billion-dollar cotton industry. “Texas cotton farmers are the backbone of our economy and our communities,” said Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller. “Texas grows 40% of the cotton grown in the U.S., making this pest a major threat to our supply. I won’t let a threat like the cotton jassid harm our farmers, ranchers, nurseries, or landscapes. We’re taking aggressive steps to stop this pest in…

Problem Is it possible to change the mind of a husband who refuses to make an estate plan? From G.T., via email I’ve been wanting my husband to get an estate plan done since we were 50 years old. Now we are 65, and my husband is still dragging his feet. He says that I can quit nagging him, but it bothers me, knowing we have a nice farm and three children. I don’t want to be a nag, but I want this estate planning done! Our son and grandson, who farm with us, would like to have a plan…

The National Cattlemen’s Foundation is encouraging college students pursuing careers in the beef industry to apply for the 2026 CME Group Beef Industry Scholarship. Ten scholarships of $1,500 each will be awarded. Introduced in 1989 and sponsored by CME Group, the scholarship identifies and encourages talented students who play a vital role in the future of food production. Students studying education, communication, production, research or other areas related to the beef industry are eligible to apply for the annual scholarship program. “We are pleased to partner with the National Cattlemen’s Foundation and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association to continue our support of the…