USDA: Corn Down 13%, Soybeans Down 12%

John Davis

The drought is certainly taking its toll on row crops, as the latest USDA crop report out this morning shows that the corn harvest this year will be down 13 percent from last year’s numbers, with soybeans expected to be 12 percent lower than 2011. Meanwhile, cotton will see a 13 percent increase while winter wheat should be up 1 …

Corn, Soybean, USDA

Corn and Ethanol Groups Respond to RFS Waiver Request

Cindy Zimmerman

Corn growers would rather see a waiver request than attempts to eliminate the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) but the ethanol industry thinks it will still be denied by EPA. In response to the request for a waiver announced this morning by livestock and poultry groups, National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President Garry Niemeyer of Illinois called it “premature to ask …

Corn, Ethanol, NCGA, RFA

Livestock and Poultry Groups Seek RFS Waiver

Cindy Zimmerman

Livestock and poultry producers are filing a petition with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) seeking a waiver from the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) in light of the current drought situation likely to cause feed shortages. “We need a waiver now,” said Randy Spronk of Minnesota, National Pork Producers Council president-elect. “I and NCBA support American ethanol,” said National Cattlemen’s Beef …

Audio, Beef, Corn, Ethanol, Livestock, NCBA, NPPC, Poultry, Swine

Wyffels: Hybrids Are Better than 1988

John Davis

A lot of talk about this year’s drought has drawn comparisons to the devastation of the 1988 drought. But during the the Wyffels Hybrids Corn Strategies event at the Harmon Farm in Vincent, Iowa, Wyffels’ Rick Buresh explained that corn is better able to stand dry conditions these days. “Drought tolerance of hybrids is so much better than what is …

Agribusiness, Audio, Corn

Customer: Wyffels Brings Value to Our Operation

John Davis

When Mother Nature turns against you, you need all the help you can get. Corn farmers throughout the Midwest are certainly finding that out this year. During the recent Wyffels Hybrids Corn Strategies event at the Harmon Farm in Vincent, Iowa, those in attendance got a lot of information to help them overcome the challenges the drought has thrown at …

Agribusiness, Audio, Corn

Wyffels Hybrids Expands into Western Iowa

John Davis

The success of Wyffels Hybrids has been demonstrated in how many more farmers are using the Illinois-based seed company and how rapidly it is expanding. “As we’ve moved forward, we’re kind of calling this year a revolution. We’re expanding into western Iowa with more focus,” Bill Backhaus the new Region Manager with Wyffels in Southwest Iowa told Chuck during the …

Agribusiness, Audio, Corn

Agvocating With Kenny Wallace

Chuck Zimmerman

Illinois Corn Growers got to hang out with “The Agvocate” Kenny Wallace at Chicagoland Speedway today. It’s NASCAR racing weekend and Kenny will be driving in tomorrow’s Nationwide STP 300 race. Kenny attracted a big crowd to the exhibit area outside the grandstands this afternoon. He talked to them and signed autographs for an hour. I heard one fan say …

Ag Groups, Audio, Corn, Ethanol, NASCAR

NASCAR and Ethanol at Chicagoland Speedway

Chuck Zimmerman

It’s NASCAR race weekend in Joliet, IL at Chicagoland Speedway. My home today and tomorrow. I’m joining the Illinois Corn Growers and Family Farmers for two races. First up will be tonight’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series American Ethanol 225. Then on Sunday we’ve got the second annual STP 300 which is part of the NASCAR Nationwide Series. The Sprint …

Ag Groups, Corn, Ethanol, NASCAR

Drop in USDA Estimates Talk of Wyffels Event

John Davis

Some significant drops in USDA’s expected corn and soybean yields due to the drought have been the talk of the recent Wyffels Hybrids Corn Strategies event. “USDA took 20 bushels off of its yield, end of July, and dropping the soybean yield down to 40 and a half bushels… that makes a huge statement, and USDA probably thinks it’s smaller …

Agribusiness, Audio, Corn, Soybean, USDA

Ag Leader Technology Good Fit with Wyffels

John Davis

Over the past few days, we’ve been talking a lot about how the seeds from Wyffels Hybrids are important for producers to get the most out of their land. With a high-quality product like Wyffels, you also need to combine it with the right kind of technology that helps make sure you are getting the right amount of corn in …

Ag Leader, Agribusiness, Audio, Corn, Precision Agriculture