Ag Top-Rated Industry in Gallup Poll
While always among the favorites in this annual survey, agriculture for the first time tops the list of well-like industries. Researchers suggest renewed appreciation because of COVID-19.
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Trump Tweets Good News for Biofuels Industry
Ethanol industry gets a win from Trump administration, but frustrated farmers argue the gesture falls short.
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Low Commodity Prices Add Stress to Tight Farm Budgets
Despite a wind storm tearing through the Midwest and drought conditions in isolated areas, a bumper crop of both corn and soybeans is expected this year.
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New Round of Assistance Expected for Farmers
USDA Chief Sonny Perdue expects to deliver another round of funding to farmers soon through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program.
Read moreSunbelt Ag Expo Calls It Off
The expo plans to return for its 2021 show and encourages those who would have attended this year to participate through social media.
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Farmer Bankruptcies Rise
About 580 farmers filed for bankruptcy protection during the 12 months ending in June 30. That was 8 percent more than the previous year.
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China Buys Big on Corn, Soybeans
An economist says it is encouraging that despite ongoing political tensions, China has remained an active buyer of U.S. soybeans. With Brazilian supplies running out, China will have to keep coming to the U.S.
Read moreFarm Progress Launches Virtual Show
“We’re going to have what may be the most extensive field demonstration program we’ve ever conducted with corn harvest, tillage, hay and cattle equipment,” says Matt Jungmann, events manager, Farm Progress.
Read moreDangerous Delivery: Seed Packets from China
People in at least seven states have reported receiving packets of seeds in the past few days that are believed to be invasive species from China. If planted, the seeds pose a risk to crops and livestock.
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COVID-19 May Cost Ethanol Industry $10 Billion
“At one point in late April, more than half of the ethanol industry’s production capacity was shut down,” said RFA CEO Geoff Cooper. “The idling of dozens of ethanol plants reverberated throughout rural America and sent ripple impacts across the farm economy.”
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Hog Farmers Take Big Financial Hit in Pandemic
Hog farmers are seeking congressional action to keep the industry afloat amid the “largest economic hit” it has seen in 30 years.
Read moreBig Exhibitors Pull Out of Big Iron Farm Show
Deere, Case and New Holland have save said they will not exhibit at the show in West Fargo, N.D.
Read moreFarm Progress Launches Virtual Event
Farm Progress announces virtual event that promises “the most extensive field demonstration program we’ve ever conducted …”
Read moreRural Mainstreet Index Rises in July
The farm equipment sales index, while still weak, also made gains.
Read more40th anniversary of the Big Iron Farm Show to be held September 15 – 17
WEST FARGO – The Red River Valley Fair Association and Big Iron Farm Show Committee announced today that the 40th anniversary
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Three Farm Belt States Get Quarter of Relief Money
Iowa, Nebraska and Wisconsin have collected one-fourth of USDA’s corona-virus relief payments. California has the largest average payment.
Read moreProgram to Help Farmers, the Hungry Gets Rocky Start
As of July 1, about 63 percent of the targeted $1.2 billion in food boxes had been delivered.
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June Ag Economy Barometer
Purdue ag economist James Mintert reviews the results from the June 2020 Ag Economy Barometer survey, a nationwide monthly survey
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Farmers Can Use Dicamba, Bayer Settles on Glyphosate
A federal court had upheld EPA’s decision to allow dicamba’s use through July 31.
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U.S. Soybean Prices Rise as China Accelerates Imports
Chinese buying made up roughly 56 percent of all new soybean export sales in the past month. By comparison, Chinese buying made up only 27 percent of U.S. soybean export sales in 2020 through May.
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Farm Workers Hard Hit by Coronavirus
The USDA and Food and Drug Administration said the government could use the Defense Production Act to keep fruit and vegetable lines moving.
Read moreFarm Income to Dip Despite Record Government Support
The government will send a record $32.8 billion in direct payments to farmers this year, but the economic slowdown triggered by the coronavirus still will pull down farm income by 3 percent.
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Quality Good, Plantings Ahead on Corn, Soybeans
USDA’s latest crop progress report shows corn plantings nearly finished, with soybeans taking another moderate step forward. Now the focus shifts more to crop quality.
Read moreWorld Dairy Expo 2020 Cancelled
2020 World Dairy Expo® has been cancelled due to public health orders and restrictions related to COVID-19, in place and issued by Public Health Madison & Dane County.
Read moreAg Secretary Perdue Statement on Dicamba Decision
Secretary Perdue Statement on Ninth Circuit Dicamba Decision (Washington, D.C., June 4, 2020) –U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today
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Farmers Show Improved Willingness to Spend
The Ag Economy Barometer suggests farmers felt less cautious about big expenses in April than they did in May. The survey overall shows subtle improvements.
Read moreAg Auction Group Reports Strong Spring
Buyers are looking for well-maintained equipment. The company saw a sharp rise in sales of well-cared-for tractors that are 15 years old or older.
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Farm Aid to Launch After Memorial Day
Farmers and ranchers seeking a lifeline from the Agriculture Department can sign up for a relief check starting Monday.
Read moreAg In Motion Becomes Virtual Event
Ag In Motion Discovery Plus is July 21 to 25. The digital format is in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read moreCanada’s Ag in Motion Expo to Become Digital Show
The sixth annual Ag in Motion, an outdoor farm expo in Western Canada hosted by Glacier FarmMedia, has been replaced this year by a digital expo.
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Hemp Appears Immune to Coronavirus
Upheaval in the supply chain has been less disruptive to hemp growers than more traditional producers. Pandemic restrictions may even be driving up CBD sales.
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Farmers’ Moods Reflect National Mood of Caution
Data released Tuesday shows that the optimism farmers felt after the 2016 election has all but faded as a result of uncertainty around COVID-19.
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Farmers to Receive Cash Payments, Mass Purchases
The White House announced a $19 billion economic rescue package for farmers and ranchers. The plan calls for making cash payments to producers as well as mass purchases of commodities to be distributed to food banks.
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China Still Expected to Dial Up Soy Purchases
China’s hog herd is recovering well from African swine fever. The country is expected to accelerate soybean purchases from the U.S. between May and August.
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Trump Calls for Additional Support for Farmers
The White House wants the USDA to move quickly in distributing a new $16 billion aid package to U.S. producers.
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Shift in Consumer Dining Habits Hits Farmers
The COVID-19 pandemic has left restaurants shuttered and created a frenetic pace at grocery stores, which has led to a shift in the food supply chain that stands to reshape agriculture in the short-term.
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Trade with China: Leaders Stay Focused on Phase One
Trade leaders for U.S. and China stay focused on deal amid global pandemic.
Read moreTrade Deals Push Confidence to Seven-Year High
The confidence index in the Rural Mainstreet survey shows a boost that researchers have not seen since 2013.
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Court Issues ‘Welcome Decision’ for Corn Growers
An appeals court ruling that the EPA did not properly grant exemptions to three small oil refineries is good news for corn growers and biofuels advocates.
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USMCA – Passes Senate with bipartisan vote of 89–10
We agree with USDA Secretary Perdue’s statement on following U.S. Senate Passage of USMCA on a bipartisan vote of 89 –
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Pork Producers Put Dollars to Potential in China
U.S. pork producers see a potential $24.5 billion annual market in China within 10 years if the Trump administration can gain unrestricted trade access after the Asian country’s hog herd has been devastated by disease.
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Uncertainty Lingers Over Pact with China
President Donald Trump said that the U.S. hasn’t agreed to roll back all tariffs on China, muddying hopes raised by China and even some of the president’s own aides that the U.S. was ready to lift some tariffs to secure a trade deal.
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Farmers Show Greater Willingness to Make Big Purchases
Producers who responded to the Purdue University survey in October thought more favorably about making big investments. The index rose to within eight points of its peak.
Read moreDealer Release News of Earnings, Expansion
Earnings reports show farmers continue to be conservative in choosing to invest in equipment.
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Fine Print on Ethanol Proposal Disappoints
Details released last week as part of the Trump administration’s proposal to boost ethanol are getting low marks from corn farmers and ethanol advocates.
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Farmers Feel Better About Tomorrow, Worry More About Today
Although the Ag Economy Barometer dipped only slightly, there was a relatively large sentiment shift among ag producers as they were noticeably more pessimistic about current conditions but somewhat more optimistic about future economic conditions.
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Beef Prices Rise in Response to Demand in Asia
Cattle prices in the U.S. have risen since September as a protein shortage in Asia drives bets that livestock will be in increasingly high demand.
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EPA, USDA Announce Agreement on Promoting Biofuels
“The Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association is pleased to see integrity returned to the Renewable Fuel Standard. No other sector in
Read moreFederal Crop Insurance to Increase Payments
Farmers who could not plant a crop this year because of flooding will receive extra assistance from the federal crop insurance program. An economist from the U of I said the payment “is more generous than I expected.”
Read moreWhite House Seeks Solution for Corn Growers, Ethanol
The White House is putting together a deal to mitigate damage done to corn growers and the ethanol industry as a result of waivers being granted to small oil refineries. Ethanol advocates are asking for the administration to remain committed to the 15-million gallons a year called for in the Renewal Fuel Standard.
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