The Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Transportation are recognizing the benefits of high octane fuels, such as a mid-level ethanol blend, in their SAFE Vehicles rule. That is potentially very good news for corn farmers. The agencies specifically requested comments on how EPA, “could support the production and use of higher octane gasoline” in order to support fuel …
Plant-Based Foods Retail Sector Growing
Retail sales of plant-based foods jumped 20 percent over the past year. The Plant-Based Foods Association says new data shows sales of plant-based foods topped $3.3 billion, with milk alternatives generating $1.5 billion of total plant-based sales. Other dairy alternatives, such as plant-based products imitating yogurt, cheeses and ice cream, accounted for $727 million in sales, up 19.8 percent from …
NCGA Seeking Good Steward Nominations
The National Corn Growers Association “Good Steward” nomination deadline is fast approaching, Monday, August 6th. NCGA is asking for nominations of someone who is “doing a stellar job on their farm of demonstrating the economic and conservation value of soil management.” This year anyone can nominate a candidate for recognition if they are a corn grower member of the association. …
Celebrating National Corn Fritters Day
Cathy Isom is celebrating another food item and lets us know why many will be indulging a savory southern-style treat today. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Celebrating National Corn Fritters Day Today is National Corn Fritters Day. What is a corn fritter some might say? Why they’re tasty bites of fried or baked corn batter, made of corn …
USDA Increases Corn, Soybean Production Forecast
The Department of Agriculture Thursday upped its predictions for larger corn and soybean crops this year. The USDA World Agriculture Supply and Demand Report predicts corn production at 14.2 billion bushels and soybeans increasing to 4.3 billion bushels. The 2018/19 U.S. corn outlook includes larger supplies, greater feed and residual use, increased exports, and lower ending stocks. Increased 2017/18 exports …
China Quickly Retaliating Against U.S.
Following implementation day of President Trump’s tariffs on China, the nation responded quickly to retaliate with previously threatened penalties on U.S. pork, beef, soybeans and automobiles. Meat industry publication Meatingplace reports China says Trump has “violated World Trade Organization rules and launched the largest trade war in economic history to date.” The first wave of tariffs was imposed Friday, which …
Doggett Named Corn Growers Interim CEO
The National Corn Growers selected Jon Doggett, the current NCGA Executive Vice President, as their new interim CEO. He’ll start the new duties August 1, after the departure of current CEO Chris Novak. Doggett has been in the EVP role since 2014. Prior to that, he was the Vice President of Public Policy and continues to manage the NCGA’s 11-person …
Farm Credit Outlook Shows Prices for Grains to Strengthen
An outlook presented to the Farm Credit Administration shows corn and soybean prices are projected to strengthen, boosting profit margins for crop farmers. The report shows profit margins are expected to decline for livestock producers though, as rising grain prices drive up feed costs, and Southwest pasture conditions deteriorate because of severe drought. The quarterly report also notes that uncertainties …
Celebrating National Bourbon Day
Cathy Isom has you celebrating the official spirit of America, after your day is over, of course. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Celebrating National Bourbon Day June 14th is National Bourbon Day. So join friends and raise your glass of this sweetened amber spirit and celebrate great whiskey. Bourbon is a whiskey which is only so named …
USDA Lowers Corn, Soybeans, Projected Ending Stocks
The Department of Agriculture lowered 2017/2018 ending stocks for corn and soybeans in its latest monthly World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimates. USDA reduced ending stocks for corn 105 million bushels to 1.57 billion bushels, which if reached, would be the lowest level since 2013/2014. The season-average farm price is raised ten cents at the midpoint with a range of …