Top Stories
Scouting now helps manage future rootworms
Corn rootworm larvae are already active in many Iowa fields, but much of the damage they cause remains hidden below the soil surface. Agronomists say that makes scouting and monitoring especially important, even when crops appear healthy above ground. Dan Etter, a Channel technical agronomist in southern Iowa, said rootworm pressure can be easy to overlook because the pest spends much of its life cycle feeding underground. Unlike foliar diseases or other visible crop issues, rootworm damage...
Making the proper fertilizer decisions this fall
A frequent topic of discussion among farmers is whether or not to cut back on fertilizer usage, especially in the face of increasingly tight margins. However, hasty decision making could cause farmers to face higher fertilizer prices in the spring. Instead of relying...
USDA to test milk supply where H5N1 found in dairy cattle
USDA will test the milk supply beginning with states where dairy cattle tested positive in the spring for the H5N1 bird flu virus. Bird flu is an increasing concern for USDA, amid H5N1 infections in not just poultry, but also dairy cattle. Most recently the virus was...
Eastern Region FFA VP used contests to develop confidence
There are four new regional vice presidents on this year’s National FFA Leadership team. Caroline Groth of Kentucky is the new East Region Vice President, and she said that, although she did not grow up on a farm, family is a big reason for her FFA participation....
Pork herd contractions slowing in most regions
A new Q4 2024 pork report from Rabobank says improved profitability is slowing herd contractions in most regions. However, producers are taking a cautious approach to expansion. Disease pressure in parts of Europe, South Korea, and Southeast Asia are slowing...
Pork industry continues to improve animal welfare
Animals are a large investment and risk for producers. It can be a high reward if the markets and demand hold. Like crops, producers do all they can to protect their investment. You needn’t look any further than what has happened with the Pure Prairie Poultry mess to...
Low-crop-price relief still an active topic on Capitol Hill
Relief for low crop prices in a lame-duck session is still an active topic on Capitol Hill as prospects for a new farm bill this year dwindle with the close of the 118th Congress. American Farm Bureau’s Joe Gilson has been meeting with farm lawmakers and staffers,...
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More Ag News
Developing a third source of nitrogen for crops
A new study has uncovered some interesting findings that could change nitrogen management for farmers. Researchers have found that gene-edited bacteria can supply nitrogen to crop roots during early corn growth. Dr. Logan Woodward, development agronomist for Pivot...
Farmers to plant more corn than first thought
U.S. farmers are seriously considering planting more corn and less soybean acres this spring than they did last year. Both growers and analysts told Reuters that they’re hoping to squeeze out more profits and shield themselves from possible tariffs on Mexico and...
GROWMARK honors 2024 Enduring Farms and advances sustainability efforts
GROWMARK and its FS-affiliated companies have named the Enduring Farm winners for the 2024 calendar year in addition to publishing its annual Endure Report detailing the GROWMARK System’s environmental, social, and governance engagement for the prior calendar year as...
U.S. Export Sales Report (2-27-25)
We’ve been getting used to seeing some slightly lower export sales recently, but the markets did not react well upon seeing that again this week. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest export sales numbers from the USDA. A big part of the...
Radial farm tires can minimize soil compaction
When it comes to choosing tires for farm implements, it's important to have a tire that will help you get the job done while protecting your soil and crop yields. Bill Durivage, Firestone Ag tire expert, said choosing the right tires for your operation is very...
