How do we keep nitrogen fertilizer in the soil until it is needed? An old question with some new answers. Suggestions and products from Koch Agronomic Services.AUDIO: Michael Berry, Koch Agronomic ServicesAUDIO: Profit Matters 12-11-19Ken Root: Michael Berry, with...
Special Coverage
2019: A year to forget or one to learn from?
The 2019 calendar year has been one for the record books. Wet, cold, late, hot, wet again. The year was so far from normal that it may be of little interest to try to try to breed crops to deal with this type of extreme. One farmer told me he needs to plant corn that...
Road, rail and river infrastructure needs attention
Soybean harvest is finished. Corn harvest is now down to about eight-percent left in southwest and northeast Iowa, but less in other areas.With grain in storage, what is the next move? If we were not able to export two-thirds of our soybean production, it would be...
Case IH rolls out more high-tech farm machinery
One of the greatest advancements in agriculture has occurred since 1994, the year when tractors and combines had the first auto steering capabilities and yield monitoring. These technologies have been refined and expanded since. You cannot work on machines under a...
Ag bankers examine farmer’s financial health
How is your health, as a farmer?I am not talking about physical health. I am talking about your financial health. Agricultural bankers are concerned about how their farm loans are doing, sometimes more than the farmer. I spoke with a representative of the American...
FarmOp Capital finances producers who rent more land than they own
Agricultural financing is a slippery slope, especially in the economic climate in which producers are in. Securing that financing is tricky, even when you have the assets to borrow against. But what happens when you are a producer whose operation consists of more...
Farmers Union lobbying for family farmers
General farm organizations usually polarize to the left or right.National Farmers Union leans left and identifies with family farms, government guarantees and a regulatory framework that restricts growth of agribusiness. In recent years, however, they have moved into...
Growth Energy highlights ethanol demand outside of U.S.
Ethanol has been a topic that has definitely had its share of the limelight this past year. We continued to be embroiled in debates over the Renewable Fuels Standard and small refinery exemptions. We finally received a mandate to allow E15 to be sold all year round....
Bison in the international marketplace
Recently, we talked about the success bison is having domestically. The animal is a native to North America and has spent centuries adapting to the changes in the frontier. However, just like others in the agriculture industry, bison producers are facing challenges in...
U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement progresses as deadline looms
The congressional schedule dwindles, as we approach a new year. Unfortunately, passage of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement does not look promising after Thanksgiving break, as the House of Representatives will have their sights set on the impeachment process and...