Custom Rates Increasing 

By Kent Thiesse

As would be expected with increasing fuel costs, average 2008 custom rates for farm work have also risen, compared to 2007 and 2006 custom rates...

USDA Seen Cutting Corn Carryout 9% 

By Richard Brock

The grain trade is looking for a substantial reduction in the projected 2007-2008 U.S. corn carryout and modest increases in soybean and wheat ending stocks when USDA releases its latest monthly supply/demand update...

CSD News: Sign Up for CSP Now, Conservation Winners, Soybean Oil Prices Take Nosedive  

COMPILED By GREG LAMP

Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer announces a sign-up for the Conservation Security Program (CSP) that will be available starting April...

Volatility and Risk Management Practices for Producers and Lenders 

By Dr. Dave Kohl

In a recent webcast, an agrilender from Wisconsin asked me an interesting question. With the current volatility in the grain industry, what risk management practices would you recommend?...

Argentina Bids To End Farm Strike 

By Richard Brock

In a bid to resolve a 19-day farm strike that has produced severe food shortages and a major political crisis, Argentina’s economy minister on Monday announced measures to compensate ...

Prospective Plantings 

Source: National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA

Corn planted acreage down 8% from 2007; soybean acreage up 18%; all wheat acreage up 6%; all cotton acreage down 13%.
Corn growers intend to plant 86 million acres of corn for all purposes in 2008, down 8% from last year...

Fair Weather Economics in Agriculture 

By Dr. Dave Kohl

Did you see this commodity boom coming to agriculture? This is a common question asked as I travel the continent as the Road Warrior of Agriculture. The answer is...

Grain Markets Tumble 

By Kent Thiesse

Grain marketing in this highly volatile marketing environment continues to be a big challenge for farm operators. Many grain producers are coming off a very profitable year in 2007; however...

Pathologist: Be Wary Of Fungicide Yield Boost Claims 

Source: Purdue University

Farmers who apply fungicide to corn and soybeans because they believe the chemical boosts yields could be treating their crops with little more than a placebo, Greg Shaner, Purdue University Extension plant pathologist, says...

Glyphosate-Resistant Johnsongrass Confirmed 

Source: Monsanto

The University of Arkansas and Monsanto have confirmed glyphosate-resistant johnsongrass in a field in southeast Arkansas. In a separate case, Monsanto and specialists at Mississippi State University (MSU) confirm a case of johnsongrass...

Increased Carbon Dioxide in Atmosphere Linked to Decreased Soil Organic Matter 

Author: Debra Levey Larson

A recent study at the University of Illinois (U of I) created a bit of a mystery for soil scientist Michelle Wander: increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere was expected to increase plant growth, increase plant biomass and ultimately beef up the organic matter in the soil – but it didn't...

You’re the Boss! 

By Dr. Dave Kohl

Several weeks ago, my Road Warrior travels took me to Red Deer, Alberta, between Calgary and Edmonton. Agricultural producers in this province think entrepreneurially and outside the box...

National Ag Week 

By Kent Thiesse

National Ag Week is being celebrated March 16-22 all across the U.S., and Thursday, March 20, has been designated National Ag Day. It is a good time to reflect on all...

Views from the Top 

By Dr. Dave Kohl

Recently I was in Embrun, Ontario, Canada, south of Ottawa, at a Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) Speaking Series event. Brian Little, the head of RBC agribusiness for Canada...

Crop Insurance Deadline 

By Kent Thiesse

Monday, March 17 is the deadline to purchase crop insurance for the 2008 crop year. Producers need to analyze how crop insurance fits into their risk management and grain marketing strategies for the coming year...