USDA released its monthly supply and demand tables as scheduled, as officials took advantage of a small breather between big storms to get reports out in Washington.
A Senate jobs bill that would include as many as 73 tax extenders now will likely have as many as two weeks of negotiations because of the snowstorms hitting Washington, Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, told some reporters Tuesday morning.
Family business owners haven't quit dying just because Congress has failed to resolve the estate tax dilemma. And that has Midwest CPAs and tax attorneys who handle farm estates anxiety ridden and pleading for lawmakers to clarify how it plans to tax estates in 2010 and beyond.
Cattlemen need to give the hapless executives at Toyota a standing ovation. Over the last several weeks these guys have masterfully reprogrammed the public perception of "recall."
The Rally da Safra, a tour of Brazilian soybean fields, started Jan. 25 and will end March 22. DTN South America Correspondent Kieran Gartlan is traveling with the tour this week.
To some, sustainability means feeding the world. To others, it means growing food naturally and organically on small farms. It's refreshing, then, to read an author who is searching for the "Golden Mean."
About 9,000 bushels of corn arrived by truck at the Hoke County, N.C., ethanol plant Friday, reported the Fayetteville (N.C.) Observer, and another 500,000 bushels are on the way before the plant starts production in mid-to-late April.
2/9 2:39PM The grain complex was mixed despite strong support from outside markets, namely a weaker U.S. dollar index and sharp rally in the DJIA. Corn was able to find support tied to stronger demand and lower global stocks.
Weather
Snow Continues in Midwest Wednesday2/9 1:07PM Snow and blowing snow is expected tonight and early Wednesday through north-central and northeast areas of the Midwest as strong winds develop, especially west and south of the lakes. Elsewhere in the eastern Midwest region windy weather is expected Wednesday with snow showers during the day.
Crops
Another wet spring could put more emphasis on postemergence weed control. (DTN photo by Greg Horstmeier)
Step one with bull selection is simply to develop a job description of what you want that bull to accomplish. (DTN/Progressive Farmer image by Mark Parker)
Pick The Best Bull
Right Bull Sets Direction for Success or Failure2/8 10:35AM There are a lot of important chores on the farm, but Johnston Stock Farms thinks bull selection may top the list.
Mon Feb 8, 2010 10:43 AM CST USDA is shifting the national animal identification effort to the states, saying the system should be "federally supported but not federally led."
Mon Feb 8, 2010 10:41 AM CST Details behind President Obama's pledge to double U.S. exports within five years have yet to be filled in, and it's unclear how that pledge fits in with other administration trade goals.
Land Management
Corn growers see up to 5 percent more yield in fields that have a controlled drainage system. (Progressive Farmer image by Rob Lagerstrom)
Store Water, Hold Nutrients
Controlled Drainage Lowers Nitrogen Load, Provides Yield-Building Moisture 1/12 9:28AM Farmers who push to break through yield barriers also are searching for ways to reduce nitrate and phosphorus loads in groundwater without inhibiting their drainage capacity. Some call this practice controlled drainage.
Some 469 counties will lose GRIP coverage for corn in 2010, leaving growers with higher crop-insurance deductibles. Soybeans and grain sorghum also will experience widespread cutbacks. (Graphic courtesy of Silveus Insurance Group)
Growers Mourn GRIP's Demise
USDA to Eliminate Popular Crop Insurance Policy in Much of US1/25 9:08AM More than 1,000 of the nation's 3,100 ag counties are losing access to Cadillac crop-revenue coverage in 2010. Elimination of county-based crop insurance like GRIP leaves some Southerners exposed to huge financial risks. USDA lays blame on an inability to collect reliable county yield data.
Farm equipment auctions, like this one in Milford, Ill., play a role in determining appraisal values. (Progressive Farmer image by Jim Patrico)
How Much Is Your Equipment Worth?
A Well-Done Appraisal Can Be Priceless2/2 2:13PM What happens at a farm machinery auction in Illinois, Georgia, Texas or anywhere else could affect you because it helps establish a baseline for an appraisal of your equipment.
Tue Feb 2, 2010 02:17 PM CST Is there enough difference in the manufacturer's oil and filters versus an auto store's oils and filters to justify the cost?
Fri Feb 5, 2010 08:06 AM CST In this week's edition of Products Corner, we will take a closer look at Robison Solar Powered Water Pump Systems, 2T Cattle Company Cattle Guards and Livestock Steel Livestock Guardrail Fencing.
Ag Policy
A study by Informa shows that under the House-passed climate bill, corn-production costs would rise minimally through 2025, but would then begin to increase dramatically, rising nearly $50 an acre by 2035. (DTN file photo by Greg Horstmeier)
Corn Growers Oppose Climate Bill
NCGA Cites Study Showing More Costs Than Gains1/20 4:14PM The National Corn Growers on Wednesday added its name to the list of agriculture and commodity groups opposing the House climate bill, H.R. 2454, but the group waited to state its position until NCGA leaders received an analysis of the climate bill by Informa Economics. Before that, NCGA had remained neutral on the House bill.
Ag ed teacher Harvey Burniston (right) saw program numbers spike when he added horticulture and aquaculture to his curriculum. (Progressive Farmer image by Mike Boyatt)
Mon Feb 8, 2010 10:49 AM CST Agricultural education has seen a boom as enrollment skyrockets and educators adapt with the times. Here are five of our favorite programs.
Mon Feb 8, 2010 10:51 AM CST "Even in rural areas, local hackers and bad guys from the other side of the world will find and hack any unsecured computer system," says rural computer expert and technology columnist John Deans.
Mon Feb 8, 2010 10:51 AM CST Here are five uses for your cell phone that help you manage your operation. And it's just the beginning.
Featured Column
In our age of modern scales and of moving grain by trucks, trains and wagons where weight limits have become more of a factor than capacity, the bushel has lost its relevance in the modern agricultural system. (DTN/The Progressive Farmer file photo)
2/9 3:32PM For U.S. farmers and our domestic grain industry, the bushel is the standard measure. But in light of our global economy, the bushel is losing traction to the metric ton.
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New Optical Technologies Multiply as More Companies Get Into the Game
