UnitedSoybean

Early harvest allows time for improvements

Harvest is wrapping up two to three weeks—and in some cases,  a month or more—ahead of normal across much of the U.S.  Many farmers will use the extra time this fall to make improvements to their fields. 

Floyd, Iowa farmer and national Corn Board member Pam Johnson says it’s a chance to make improvements that will be beneficial for many years to come.

Brownfield story

Increasing energy efficiency on the farm

Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Kathleen Merrigan was in Indiana on Monday, October 25, at the Dick O’Neal Farm in eastern Bartholomew County where she was able to see firsthand how the USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program or REAP is being put to use.

Brownfield story with audio

Another strong week for soybean export inspections

USDA reports soybean inspections for the week ending October 21 were larger than expected while wheat was within projections and corn was below all estimates. Physical shipments of soybeans were more than what’s needed weekly to meet USDA projections for the 2010/11 marketing year but corn and wheat fell short of their respective marks.

Soybeans were pegged at 68.344 million bushels, 3.479 million more than the prior week and an increase of 16.126 million from last year at this time. At this point in the marketing year, soybean inspections are 251.742 million bushels, compared to 158.672 million a year ago.

Brownfield story

83% of corn, 91% of soybeans harvested

As of Sunday, 83% of corn was harvested, compared to 68% last week, 20% last year and the five year average of 49%, while 91% of soybeans are harvested, compared to 83% a week ago, 42% a year ago and 72% on average.

Winter wheat planting is at 88%, with 64% of the crop emerged.

In the first crop condition rating of the season, 47% of winter wheat is in good to excellent shape.

Brownfield story

State Reports:

Nebraska

Wisconsin

 

Another strong week for soybean export sales

 USDA reports soybean and soybean meal sales for the week ending October 14 were larger than expected, while wheat was within pre-report projections and corn was below all estimates. Physical shipments of soybeans were larger than what’s needed every week to meet USDA projections for the 2010/11 marketing year but corn and wheat both fell short of their respective marks.

Soybeans were pegged at 2,017,200 tons (74.1 million bushels), an increase of 85% from the previous week and 66% more than the four week average. China was far and away the biggest buyer at 1,451,000 tons. So far this marketing year, soybean sales are 930.6 million bushels, compared to 817.9 million this time last year.

Brownfield story

Renewable fuels groups applaud USDA

Renewable fuels groups including the American Soybean Association say they’re pleased with the announcement today by Ag Secretary Vilsack that the administration is making advancement and support of renewable fuels a national priority.

Brownfield story

Report quantifies needed global productivity

A new report from the public, private and non-profit sectors quantifies for the first time the rate at which the world’s farmers must increase sustainable productivity growth to meet the food needs of a fast growing world population.

Neil Conklin, president of the Farm Foundation and author of the 2010 GAP Report says they came to their conclusions using the FAO’s numbers on projected demand and the USDA’s method of calculating future productivity. “We need to increase our productivity 25 percent faster than we currently are if we’re going to keep up with rising demand,” says Conklin.

Brownfield story with audio

Challenges ahead for agriculture

 Indiana Senator Richard Lugar told Brownfield that because of unknowns’ surrounding the midterm elections, such as who will be serving on the various committees in the House and Senate is putting agriculture in flux.

Brownfield story with audio

Monsanto outlines new weed managment platform

According to the vice president of Monsanto’s crop protection business, Mike Frank, the Roundup Ready PLUS platform provides weed management recommendations for Roundup Ready crops for each farm situation, by pairing crop protection products from Monsanto and other companies.

Brownfield story

A strong week for soybean export inspections

 USDA reports soybean inspections for the week ending October 14 were larger than expected and more than what’s needed weekly to meet USDA projections for the 2010/11 marketing year, while corn and wheat fell short.

Soybeans were pegged at 59.384 million bushels, 10.51 million higher than the week before and 19.008 million above last year. So far this marketing year, soybean inspections are 177.553 million bushels, compared to 106.454 million a year ago.

Brownfield story