Author: staff

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service has issued a final decision proposing updates to the pricing formulas used in all 11 Federal Milk Marketing Orders. These changes, requested by the dairy industry, aim to revise uniform pricing formulas and factors and require approval through a producer referendum before implementation. The decision includes several key updates: the delayed implementation period for revised skim milk composition factors has been reduced from 12 months to 6 months, a $0.0015 marketing cost factor has been added to all make allowances, the methodology for determining the nonfat dry milk make allowance has been…

Idea of the Month: Easy, safer elevator for second-floor-access I built a second floor in my shop for parts storage. After two near-falls from the ladder, I decided to build an elevator,” says M.W. (Woody) Wood, of Lula, Mississippi.  Wood planned to rewire a winch, but was told by a repair shop that if the power went out, the elevator would plunge; he needed a hoist, not a winch. According to Wood, “I swapped out my winch for a 1-ton P&H Zip-Lift, and that made all the difference.”  Wood used the cage from an IBC tank to make a carriage.…

A federal lawsuit accuses the City of Shamrock, Texas, of providing contaminated water that led to the death of 650 cattle owned by Kellen Allison Cattle Company. The company is suing the city and several petroleum producers for damages exceeding $1 million. According to the lawsuit, the cattle operation began using city water on June 3, and the cattle exhibited severe symptoms almost immediately. The affected cows reportedly started vomiting, displayed “zombie-like” behavior, and some even suffocated against fences. The grow yard — which has historically experienced a low death rate of 3 percent or less — faced an unprecedented…

President-elect Donald Trump has announced his choice of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to serve as the next Secretary of Health and Human Services. The nomination has already stirred debate due to Kennedy’s long-standing skepticism toward vaccines, his proclivity toward conspiracy theories, and his rejection of the science behind crop control technologies. The son of the late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of President John F. Kennedy, Kennedy is set to oversee a major department that influences the entire U.S. healthcare system if confirmed by the Senate. The nomination makes good on a Trump campaign promise to let Kennedy “go…

As of Nov. 10, 29% of South Dakota’s winter wheat crop was reported to be in very poor/poor condition. That’s according to USDA’s most recent Crop Progress report. Here’s a closer look at the numbers. Progress and Condition In its Crop Progress report released Tuesday, USDA rated South Dakota’s winter wheat condition 3% very poor, 26% poor, 43% fair, 24% good, and 4% excellent for the week ending Nov. 10. Although the overall winter wheat condition across the 18 top growing states has improved steadily in recent weeks, the crop’s condition in South Dakota has only grown worse. For the…

Wisconsin is on the verge of finishing its harvest season, USDA said in the latest Crop Progress report. Corn harvest is over 20 percentage points ahead of 2023, while soybeans are also getting harvested quicker than the average. Agronomist input and pie charts tell the story of a fast-paced season aided by a wet spring and dry summer. Corn Harvest and Yield Corn harvest is 89% complete in Wisconsin as of Nov. 10, USDA said. Wisconsin is a staggering 26 percentage points ahead of the five year average. On Nov. 10 of 2023, Wisconsin was only 61% complete with corn…

Food-industry giant McDonald’s is partnering with protein producer Lopez Foods and global agricultural innovator Syngenta with the hope of increasing feed efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions released per pound of meat produced.  One of the products at the forefront of this effort is Enogen corn, an in-seed innovation available through Syngenta. The company says that Ecogen has been shown to increase feed efficiency in cattle and thereby help reduce emissions intensity compared to other corn. “At Syngenta, we’re convinced improving the sustainability of the global food system can be accelerated through innovation and collaboration,” said Justin Wolfe, President of…

As you drive east on Interstate 10 through Dona Ana County, New Mexico, toward El Paso, you’ll see pecan orchards, empty dairies, and eventually, a big white banner spanning alongside the highway reading: “Drink more milk, eat more ice cream.” A few short turns off the highway’s exit will land you at Landmark Mercantile, a state-of-the-art roping facility, dairy supply, and an expansive tack store. Inside, you’re likely to find owner Jason McClure — an avid biker who’s likely dressed casually in shorts and tennis shoes, flanked by his mastiff and great Dane. His wife, Michelle McClure, brings industry experience…

As the transition to the newly elected administration begins, the National Farmers Union, a Washington, D.C.-based organization that represents family farmers and ranchers across the country, has sent a letter to President-elect Donald Trump urging him focus on policy priorities essential to the health and vitality of rural America and the sustainability of our nation’s agricultural system. “Family farmers and ranchers face challenges that demand urgent attention and continued support. Our next president has an opportunity to lead with policies that secure fair markets, strengthen the farm safety net and ensure a sustainable future for American agriculture,” said NFU President…

December corn is down 6¢ this morning. January soybeans are down 12¢. December CBOT wheat is down 8¾¢. March KC wheat is down 6¾¢. March Minneapolis wheat is down 3¢. “Corn, soybeans, and wheat are all trading lower again this morning, but losses are minimal compared to previous sessions,” said Karl Setzer, partner at Consus Ag Consulting. “A simple lack of fresh bullish news is the primary reason for the market pressure, as is building concerns over future U.S. trade relations. This comes even as the U.S. continues to make daily flash sales. The concern is on future demand though,…