Watch borrowing as inflation sticks around
Farmers are encouraged to watch their borrowing as the likelihood of interest rate reductions in 2024 becomes less likely. CoBank grains and oilseeds economist Tanner Ehmke says the Federal Reserve planned multiple rate cuts for this year, but inflation isn’t letting up. “The Federal Reserve had to walk it back here recently and say ‘ya […]
APHIS issues final traceability rule
The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection has issued its final traceability rule to require electronic ID tags for certain cattle and bison moving interstate. Ethan Lane with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association tells Brownfield this is an update to the 2013 rule. “The class of cattle stayed the same, but they updated that requirement […]
IL cattle producer optimistic in ‘24
A northwest Illinois cattle producer says she’s optimistic about 2024. “Prices have been great in the beef cattle industry lately, and I don’t really want to jinx that!” She says, “Things have been going good.” Ellen Rahn, who operates a cow/calf and feedlot operation in Carroll County, tells Brownfield two straight calving seasons with nice […]
Gov. Parson extends drought alert
Missouri Governor Mike Parson has extended the state’s drought alert through September 1st. The executive order directs continued coordination of resources and response efforts in counties experiencing moderate or greater drought conditions. It will also extend to any other county that begins experiencing drought conditions consistent with the state drought plan’s phases and triggers table. […]
Colombia restricts U.S. beef imports amid HPAI concerns, groups say move isn’t science-based
Colombia has become the first country to ban imports of U.S. beef and beef products from states where dairy cattle have tested positive for avian influenza. Ethan Lane with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association says the move isn’t science-based. “It’s disappointing to see a country like Colombia, which has been seeking access to the U.S. […]
Shawn Scholten & Judy Dirkse
Grief
Where have cash rents increased the most?
Cash rental rates have been climbing over the past decade, but the biggest increases have happened outside the Corn Belt. David Widmar, managing partner at Agricultural Economic Insights, tells Brownfield… “We had really big changes, 50% changes, in cash rental rates,” he says, “in the northern Great Plains, in the western parts of say, Kansas, […]
New research studying relationship between cover crops & SCN
New research is looking into the relationship between cover crops and soybean cyst nematode. Southern Illinois agronomist John Pike says initial findings are promising. “Where we’ve got both cereal rye and annual rye grass that we’re using as cover crops.” He says, “And we’ve seen some responses to those cover crops. On the positive side […]
Red meat production sees year-over-year decline
The USDA says March red meat production dropped 11 percent on the year. Beef production declined 12% to 2.1 billion pounds, with total cattle slaughter at 2.51 million head, down 15% from the previous year. Pork production was down 10% on the year, with total hogs slaughtered down 9% from March 2023. Cattle weights were up […]
Too early to know if beef herd is expanding
Beef cow slaughter has slowed, but a livestock economist says its still too early for indications that the herd is expanding. University of Missouri’s Scott Brown says, “It’s a sign that we’ll have to continue to watch as we go forward. When you look at now, first quarter of this year, slaughter is down 12% […]
