Peter Laudeman with U.S. Wheat Associates talks about new wheat breeding technologies that could make U.S. wheat more competitive on the global market ..read more

Mike Stranz with the National Farmers Union says it’s unclear how farm bill funding will play out this year. Hear more in our interview with Stranz at the NAFB Washington Watch.   ..read more

Lori Stevermer, the president of the National Pork Producers Council, talks about the farm bill and hog production in southern Minnesota in this interview from the NAFB Washington Watch ..read more

Jake Westlin with the National Association of Wheat Growers says the House Ag Committee is expected to vote before the Memorial Day holiday on the new farm bill. Hear more in our interview from the NAFB Washington Watch ..read more

Wet and windy conditions are limiting herbicide spraying this spring. Iowa State University Extension agronomist Angie Rieck-Hinz says crops are emerging before a preemergent herbicide can be applied. “Some of those herbicides do have some restrictions on, they’ve got to be on within three days of planting. So before we go apply those preemerge herbicides once it dries out, we want to see if that crop is pushing through the ground to make sure we don’t cause any injury to our crop.” She tells Brownfield growers might have to change plans ..read more

The Environmental Protection Agency continues its work on a herbicide strategy to comply with the Endangered Species Act. The CEO of the Ag Retailers Association Daren Coppock talks more about the strategy and the status of other herbicides in this interview from NAFB Washington Watch ..read more

Missouri Governor Mike Parson will participate in a trade mission next week in Italy, promoting Missouri trade and products. A press release says the week-long trade mission will include stops in Milan and Rome and Parson will meet with several companies, including Principe Foods, an Italian cured meat store. Parson says Missouri is a top trading partner with Italy and exported $169 million in goods to Italy last year ..read more

An agriculture educator says farmers should consider a different approach to remain profitable when margins are tight. Mike Sabel tells Brownfield with low commodity prices and high input costs, it’s important for farmers to avoid being penny wise and dollar foolish. “There are ways where we can cut costs and one way that I suggest to my farmers is, number one, have a soil test so you know what you have.” Sabel says farmers need to focus on profitability over maximum yield ..read more

Brownfield’s meteorologist says farmers weather will continue to create challenges for some farmers as they work to finish planting.  But, Greg Soulje says rainfall will likely return to normal. “Going forward, I think the wettest areas may still be a struggle here for the next 10 days to two weeks, just because of the sheer wetness of the grounds and standing water,” he said. “I think most everywhere else, especially in the northern and central corn belt, the northern plains should be able to continue to make progress.” Soulje says farmers should prepare for the shift fro ..read more

Soybeans were higher on commercial and technical buying, pulling contracts to a modest week-to-week gain. The USDA sees larger new crop U.S. production and ending stocks, but also projects better export demand. The USDA is projecting a lower 2024/25 farm price, largely on those supply factors. Still, there are several months until the new marketing year gets underway. Stateside, the trade is waiting to see how much planting progress was made in Monday’s USDA weekly crop progress and condition report ..read more