Speculative money is the grease for the wheels of a futures market, we're often told. A report this week indicated more lubricants could be on the way.
Walking into a meeting Thursday night in Ankeny, Iowa, it was evident there will be a lot of spotlight on today's hearing. When an unofficial meeting is standing-room only, you can only imagine how many people will be at the official event.
Even the government computers that run critical air traffic control systems are antiques of the digital age. So it's no surprise that Farm Service Agency computer snafus are short circuiting during the debut of SURE, the government's new permanent disaster program that is based on calculations of whole farm revenue.
Poet LLC, the country's largest ethanol producer, and pipeline-builder Magellan Midstream Partners are poised to build a $4 billion ethanol pipeline, according to CNN Money, which would be the first in the U.S.
China is expected to reopen its market to Brazilian beef later this year following a lengthy ban which started back in 2005 due to an outbreak of foot and mouth disease.
Fighting air and water pollution from manure runoff is a good thing, but regulators and courts need a better understanding of the problem and the possible solutions than the popular notion that all we need to do is shut down "factory farms."
This winter helped to remind Missourians that the state can see frigid temperatures and heavy snowfall, the Missouri Ruralist reported on Tuesday. University of Missouri Extension climatologist Pat Guinan said he believes this winter could squeak into the record book as one of the top-10 coldest in 116 years, but it will more likely fall in the top 15.
3/12 1:54PM Corn and soybeans closed lower while wheat found support from a sharp sell-off in the U.S. dollar index to finish off a busy week.
Weather
More Rain in Midwest Saturday3/12 2:01PM Saturday will bring more rain to the central and eastern Midwest, continuing to keep soils wet and cause concern over possible field work delays this spring. The western Midwest will have a drier weather trend for the weekend through mid-next week.
Crops
The 2010 season could tell the tale whether rootworms are becoming tolerant or resistant to current Bt traits. (DTN/The Progressive Farmer file photo by Jim Patrico)
Rootworms Strike Back
High Insect Counts, Crop Damage, Show in Some Bt Fields 3/11 10:36AM Entomologists are baffled why some Bt corn fields had rootworm damage in 2009. What they do stress is that problems continue to increase as the number of farmers planting insect-resistance-management refuges remains at less-that-desirable levels.
"During the last 90 days of gestation, the heifer or cow needs plenty of protein and energy," says Charlie Stoltenow, North Dakota State University Extension veterinarian. "I can't stress how important this is. Protein is directly related to colostrum quality and calf vigor. The calf needs to be able to bounce up and get off the cold ground." (DTN/Progressive Farmer image by Becky Mills)
Mon Mar 8, 2010 09:25 AM CST USDA's recent decision not to enforce a national ID system likely will restrict some potential beef sales to Japan, but the move will not have a big impact on the U.S. beef industry because the U.S. produces mostly for the domestic market, not for export, the managing director of the Tokyo-based Tyson International Service Center said.
Mon Mar 8, 2010 09:28 AM CST Researchers at the University of Illinois have found that high-protein distillers dried grains can replace 100 percent of the soybean meal in swine diets without affecting performance.
Land Management
He can't control commodity markets. So Ohio farmer Les Imboden's first line of defense is to cover his input costs. (Progressive Farmer image by Jim Patrico)
Iowa farmer Shawn Adam and his family implemented a farm succession plan after his 48-year-old mother died of cancer. (DTN photo by Elizabeth Williams)
Senior Partners - 1
Five Steps to Launch a Farm Transition2/25 6:13AM Begin farm business transfers early to avoid tax or cash flow shocks, farm families say. Here are some starting points.
Hydraulic systems have their enemies. They are dirt, vibration, water and heat. We might squeeze one more in there: the lack of preventative maintenance. It is a difficult exercise to shut down work to maintain a system that appears to be functioning perfectly well. But preventative maintenance is a practice that pays off with your hydraulic system. (Progressive Farmer image by Benjamin Krain)
Make Cents of Hydraulics
Here's How to Deal With the Enemies of Hydraulics3/8 2:01PM The great flexibility of hydraulics applications comes from the physical fact that fluid doesn't compress, but changes shape. Hydraulic oil can be forced under pressure to change into any shape as it travels from the oil reservoir, through the pump and then on to anywhere in the tractor and out to its implements before it recycles back to the reservoir.
Mon Mar 8, 2010 02:05 PM CST Vernon Nelson has been installing center-pivot irrigation units on his 3,000 Nebraska acres for years. More recently, he has put four more units in place???this time with some federal help.
Mon Mar 8, 2010 02:12 PM CST At first glance, Bill Schroeder's shop looks like most other buildings of its kind???rectangular and open. Walk around, however, and you'll discover features that serve Schroeder's needs.
Ag Policy
Rice, and its insurance coverage, may be a problem as southern farmers talk to their bankers. (DTN file photo by Marcia Taylor)
South Seeks Safety Net Solutions
Producers Face Losses From Last Year, But No Protection 2/24 7:42AM Rice and cotton farmers heard sympathetic words from House Agriculture Chairman Collin Peterson, D-Minn., about their lack of a safety net. But they are having a hard time getting backing for a disaster package.
John Rice, of Ohio State Communications and Technology, is submerged in corn during a grain bin rescue demonstration at the Ohio Farm Science Review. (DTN/Progressive Farmer image by Susan K. Davis)
Trapped in Grain
Other Farm Accidents Down, But Grain Fatalities on Rise3/8 10:34AM While most on-farm deaths, such as tractor overturns and power-take-off shaft incidences, are decreasing, the number of children and adults being engulfed in grain is rising every year, reports Bill Field, Purdue University Extension safety specialist. In 2008 there were 34 grain entrapments nationwide compared to 33 in 2007. In five years, incidences increased 33%, according to Purdue University's National Grain Entrapment Database.
Mon Mar 8, 2010 10:38 AM CST The Dakota County farmer shows up at schools, community festivals and even the Minnesota State Fair dressed in a hard hat, goggles, white lab coat and huge fireman's boots.
Mon Mar 8, 2010 10:41 AM CST Recurring problems plague families as they transfer farm ownership. Confronting issues now improves odds of a smooth succession.
Featured Column
Wednesday's USDA reports provided more questions than answers. (DTN Graphic by Darin Newsom)
3/12 6:14AM With the much anticipated March USDA report out of the way, I find the markets, as well as DTN customers, are left with more questions than answers.
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New Herbicide Products Aim for Soybean Market
