USDA’s new planted acreage report out this morning says corn acres are two percent higher than last year, but that is down a point from the March report with more acres are going to soybeans. Corn planted area for all purposes in 2010 is estimated at 87.9 million acres, up 2 percent from last year. Acreage is up in Illinois, …
New Soybean Federation Officers and Affiliates
The year-old U.S. Soybean Federation (USSF) has two new state affiliates and new officers to announce. According to a news release, the Minnesota Soybean Federation (MSF) and the Oklahoma Soybean Federation (OSF) have joined USSF as state affiliates. They join the Nebraska Soybean Federation, Missouri Soybean Association, Oklahoma Soybean Federation and the Minnesota Soybean Federation as part of the group …
Saving Rainforests Would Help U.S. Agriculture
“Saving rainforests isn’t just for treehuggers anymore.” That’s the message past National Corn Growers Association president Fred Yoder of Ohio has about a new report showing that ending deforestation could boost revenue for U.S. producers by between $196-$267 billion by 2030. Yoder participated in a conference call today releasing the report, entitled “Farms Here, Forests There: Tropical Deforestation and U.S. …
Wet Weather Slows Planting Progress
Cool, wet weather slowed down corn and soybean planting last week, but didn’t stop it. USDA reports that 38 percent of the soybean crop is now planted and 87 percent of the corn – which is way ahead of last year in both cases and a comfortable amount above normal. Both crops are emerging ahead of normal – corn at …
Groundbreaking for Pioneer Soybean Plant in Missouri
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon joined DuPont business Pioneer Hi-Bred executives for yesterday’s groundbreaking on a $55 million parent and commercial soybean seed production plant in New Madrid County, Mo. “Missouri’s economic recovery continues to strengthen; and to maintain that momentum, it is vitally important that high-tech, 21st-century companies such as Pioneer Hi-Bred invest in Missouri and create new jobs for …
MO Commodity Groups Step Up To Plate
Actually St. Louis Cardinals left-fielder, Matt Holliday, is “Stepping Up To The Plate.” A coalition of Missouri agriculture organizations has launched a summer education campaign with the St. Louis Cardinals. Themed “Stepping Up to the Plate,” the goal of this initiative is to increase consumer understanding of how today’s farmers are using the latest technology to provide safe, affordable, nutritious …
Growers Give Stoller a “Green” Thumb of Approval
There was a lot to see and hear about at Commodity Classic but maybe the best testimonials for a product are the growers themselves. I spent a little time with two growers who gave several Stoller USA products their stamp of approval. Why? Because they have seen significant increase to their yields. Ken Miller, both a grower and ag retailer …
State Soybean Checkoffs Team Up for Research
Taking a team approach to problem solving often saves both time and money and that has been the goal of the North Central Soybean Research Program (NCSRP) in using soybean checkoff dollars more efficiently for the benefit of growers. During the Commodity Classic I talked with NCSRP executive director David Wright, seen here with South Dakota farm broadcaster Michelle Rook, …
World Soy Foundation Helping the Malnourished Through Soy Protein
The world’s population is growing and simultaneously, malnutrition is growing. The World Soy Foundation (WSF) is a nonprofit organization that is helping to eradicate malnutrition around the world through soy protein. I had the chance to spend a few minutes with Nathan Ruby, Executive Director of the World Soy Foundation to learn more about what they do. Ruby explained that …
Channel Brand Launches Genuity SmartStax Products
Commodity Classic was full of new products and technologies and two new product lines have come from the Channel Brand. The Channel Brand is under the Channel Bio company (launched in September 2009) which is a Monsanto company. I spoke with Stacy Markovich, Channel Brand Manager about Channel Bio and the new Channel Brand products. “Our mission is to serve …