Fewer Cotton and Peanut Acres, More Corn and Soybeans

While the June 30 acreage report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA-NASS) shows cotton and peanut acreage is down slightly, it indicates corn and soybean acreage is up slightly. The USDA-NASS report notes cotton growers planted 11.7 million acres this year, down 3 percent from 2020, while peanut growers planted 1.63 million acres in 2021, down two …

Safely Fumigating Grain Bins

While recent rains have slowed planting progress once again across the Southeast, storage of those grain crops being planted is something to think about. According to the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES), grain bin fumigation is a crucial but dangerous aspect of any grain farmer’s operation. They note the process of fumigating for pests begins well before grain enters the …

Crop Scouting Basics Available in New Web Book

Pest management is an essential part of crop scouting for both corn and soybean producers. And to help, the Crop Protection Network (CPN) has released a crop scouting and integrated pest management web book to assist agriculturalists. According to a release from Auburn University, crop scouting is important in order to assess pest pressure and help determine what is necessary to mitigate …

Highlights from USDA March Reports

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released their monthly round of crop production and supply and demand reports Tuesday. Rod Bain has a story looking at some of the notable items within those reports. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Funding to Enhance Brahman GeneticsMay 15, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Production ResearchMay 8, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Opportunities …

Corn and Soybean Export Sales Jump Higher

(NAFB) — Last week, corn export sales almost doubled week-to-week while soybean sales also jumped higher. The USDA says corn sales to overseas buyers jumped 92 percent week-to-week to 1.44 million metric tons. That’s up 34 percent over the prior four-week average. Japan was the biggest buyer at more than 401,000 metric tons. An unnamed buyer purchased 334,000 tons, and …

Farmers Gain Improved Access to Small Business Support as PPP Reopens

(NMPF) — The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) is pleased that farmers who run their operations as sole proprietors, independent contractors, or otherwise self-employed individuals will have newly expanded access as soon as today to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) under changes made in the COVID stimulus package Congress approved last month. Producers who were denied PPP loans or whose …

New Book Helps Kids Connect with Soybean Farms

(AFBF) — At a time of record-high interest in how food is produced, a new children’s picture book about soybean farming offers a valuable resource to parents and educators alike. The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture’s Feeding Minds Press released a new book, My Family’s Soybean Farm, along with a companion educator guide. This third title from Feeding Minds …

Grain Exports End 2020 on High Note

The newest grain export sales report from the USDA for the week ending on Dec. 24 shows that 2020 is ending on a positive note. Soybean export sales for the 2020-2021 crop surpassed analyst expectations. The trade was looking for sales ranging between 7–25 million bushels. However, the new figure passed those estimates as sales jumped 74% from the previous …

Row Crops Short Course Available Online

(ACES) — Preparations for the upcoming growing season will not need to be put on hold during the pandemic. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System and the Auburn University College of Agriculture’s department of crop, soil and environmental sciences are partnering to bring the annual row crops short course to producers everywhere — on their own time. Available Dec. 14, topics …