Those attending the 2019 American Seed Trade Association CSS & Seed Expo had the opportunity to learn more about modern corn and soybean production from a couple of industry experts. Retired University of Illinois Extension Agronomist Emerson Nafziger provided some insight on managing today’s more efficient corn hybrids. “My basic thesis is that hybrids have gotten so much better that …
Hula Sets Corn Yield Record of Over 616 Bushels
David Hula of Charles City, Virginia has once again broken his own record in the National Corn Growers Association 2019 National Corn Yield Contest and set the bar pretty high for the future. Hula produced the highest yield on record at 616.1953 bushels per acre, beating his previous record of 542-plus bushels in 2017, which broke his 2015 record of …
Corn Growers Seek Action on USMCA and Ethanol
Leaders of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and state corn organizations held a news conference Wednesday morning to urge the Trump Administration and members of Congress to finish the job on outstanding trade and ethanol issues important to corn farmers. The past year has presented a perfect storm of challenges for America’s corn farmers. While there have been positive …
Corn Harvest Still Unfinished
The USDA crop progress report out yesterday afternoon should have been the last one for the 2019 season. But with 16 percent of the nation’s corn crop still in the field, NASS will continue to evaluate harvest progress for all crops each week to determine how long to continue the report. As of Sunday, 84 percent of the corn crop …
NK Seeds Helping Farmers End Tough Year on Positive Note
A tough season for corn and soybean growers like we’ve had in 2019 presents challenges to growers and an opportunity for companies like Syngenta and their NK Seeds brand, to showcase varieties and traits that help them overcome those challenges. NK Seeds says their investment in seed has helped farmers end the season on a positive note. To learn more …
Grains Council Talks Trade at NAFB Trade Talk
Trade was probably the top topic at NAFB Trade Talk last week and the U.S. Grains Council was more than ready to talk about it. Darren Armstrong, a North Carolina farmer who is currently serving as chairman of the council, discussed the need for Congress to ratify USMCA, the new agreement with Japan, potential for ethanol in China, and some …
WASDE Lowers Wheat, Corn and Soybean Forecasts
The latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report from USDA has lower production and reduced use in the outlook for wheat, corn and soybeans. Wheat supplies are decreased 42 million bushels, based on updated production estimates for the states resurveyed following the NASS Small Grains Summary, issued September 30. Adjustments to production in these States, where significant acreage …
USDA Outlook Lowers Corn and Soybean Estimates
The October World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates out today from USDA lowered the 2019-20 production outlook for corn and soybeans. This month’s 2019/20 U.S. corn outlook is for slightly lower production, reduced exports and corn used for ethanol, greater feed and residual use, and lower ending stocks. Corn production is forecast at 13.779 billion bushels, down 20 million as …
Trade Factors in Future of Farming
Trade disputes, tariffs and negotiations are a significant factor when looking at the future of agriculture around the world. The Bayer Future of Farming Dialogue last week included a panel on trade featuring Iowa farmer and former president of the National Corn Growers Association Pam Johnson. Johnson says a free trade world is a necessity for agriculture. “Trade wars are …
Industry Reaction to Administration Biofuels Plan
Industry stakeholders reacted positively to the Trump Administration biofuels plan announced Friday, under which the Environmental Protection Agency will propose and request public comment on expanding biofuel requirements beginning in 2020 and on actions to ensure that more than 15 billion gallons of conventional ethanol be blended into the nation’s fuel supply, and that the volume obligation for biomass-based diesel …