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Swine producers taking advantage of strong economic factors
The swine industry has seen some rough times in recent years, but now things are finally feeling much better. When hog prices are good, it’s smart to look at ways to improve your operation while also keeping those profits intact. Chris Ford, vice president of swine lending at Farm Credit Services of America, said swine producers are enjoying the benefits of strong consumer demand. Ford said he has seen producers lock in their profits while still leaving room to participate in potential price...
Farm loans soar as ag economy deteriorates
Farmers are taking out loans at a rate and scale not seen in years as weakened crop prices weigh on the agricultural sector, according to a report from the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. The volume of new operating loans increased at its fastest pace since 2017,...
Rural Mainstreet Index showing lackluster results
The economy has been in a weird place. The DOW is strong, the dollar is strong, job numbers seem better than anticipated, and consumers are still paying for what they want. However, buying power is lower because prices are higher. Look no further than your local...
TN visa program is a key part of the ag labor force
With agricultural labor challenges across the entire sector, some farmers and ranchers are turning to a unique type of visa to alleviate the burden. Samantha Ayoub, an associate economist for the American Farm Bureau Federation, said the TN visa program is meant to...
Champion Seed looking at different ways to cut input costs
Every year, farmers have to consider what they can do to minimize inputs while still maximizing their yields. Brandon Hulme, an agronomist with Champion Seed, said they’ve been looking at biologicals as a solution that will utilize the nutrients in the soil in order...
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...
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Federal lawyers file to further delay 2026 Renewable Fuel Standards
For the 2026 Renewable Fuel Standards, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was supposed to have finished its work by the start of November last year. That did not happen, even though the EPA is required by law to finalize Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) volumes 14...
AFBF comments on USDA’s HPAI strategy
Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins recently announced a blueprint intended to bring avian influenza under control. Bernt Nelson, an economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation, said the current outbreak dates back almost three years. Many Americans are concerned about...
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...
