A recent Bloomberg report says China, which consumes half the world’s pork, has a goal to be mostly self-sufficient in pork production. That means it will need more grain imports to feed the world’s biggest pig herd. China’s agriculture ministry says the country will maintain a target to produce 95 percent of their protein at home by 2025. It wants …
A Cowboy’s Christmas Prayer
As we celebrate Christmas this year, Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman brings back an old favorite, “A Cowboy’s Christmas Prayer” written by S. Omar Barker. A COWBOY’S CHRISTMAS PRAYERby S. Omar Barker (1895-1985) I ain’t much good at prayin’,and You may not know me, Lord —For I ain’t much seen in churches,where they preach Thy Holy Word.But you may have observed …
Port Problems Plague Producers
The ongoing supply-chain crisis is a big headache to businesses and consumers alike, with no end in sight for the immediate future. Perishable products are particularly at risk, as even a week or two delay can affect product quality. The port delays that caused the supply-chain crisis began on the West Coast with labor shortages due to the pandemic. These …
High Fertilizer Costs to Extend into Spring Planting
A dramatic rise in fertilizer prices weighs heavily on U.S. crop farmers and input suppliers as they prepare for the 2022 planting season. Prices for nitrogen-based fertilizers commonly used for corn production have skyrocketed to all-time highs in recent months. Fertilizer price increases are driven by nitrogen production challenges, tight global supplies, rising natural gas costs and steady demand. According …
U.S. – E.U. Agreement on Ag Collaboration
On the sidelines of the Group of 20 Summit this week, European Union officials and the Biden administration put together a deal to ease the tariffs on E.U. steel and aluminum imports into the U.S. while eliminating retaliatory duties from the E.U. on several U.S. goods. Rod Bain reports the new transatlantic collaboration agreement that agriculture leaders from both the U.S. …
NCGA Joins Groups Commenting on Supply Chain Issues
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) joined 51 other groups in sending comments to the U.S. Department of Transportation on the many issues currently disrupting the U.S. supply chain. The comments offered recommendations on how to alleviate these challenges through legislative and regulatory actions. “To be successful, farmers must have a reliable and fully-functioning national transportation system that allows us …
USDA’s New Projections for Corn, Soybeans, Cotton and Oranges
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) October crop estimate, both corn and soybean production is up from the September estimate. But a story from Gary Crawford notes it is a different story for cotton. According to USDA, the U.S. season-average corn price received by producers is unchanged at $5.45 per bushel. The season-average soybean price for 2021/22 is forecast …
New USDA Crop and Livestock Reports Coming
Traders are anxiously awaiting USDA’s next round of reports which should give us a better idea of the size and market prospects for the major crops. And as Gary Crawford reports, USDA will also release revised forecasts for the livestock sector. USDA will release the new round of crop and livestock forecasts on Tuesday, October 12, noon EDT. Sponsored ContentCIR …
Pests That Can Plague Your Corn Crop
Some pests that can plague your corn crop. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Some annoying problems when it comes to growing your own corn, include dealing with pesky insects. If some of your kernels have germinated, but the seedlings seem weak, dig around in the soil a bit. You may be dealing with seed corn maggots or …
Problems That Can ‘Pop’ Up When Growing Corn
Some problems that can pop up when growing corn. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Although corn plants are quite hardy, they can also be finicky. Under, or over-abundant, watering can cause issues like irregular temperatures, low pollination, and certain insect activity. But there are other problems, too. Such as diseases and pests. Corn kernels can germinate anywhere from …