Last week at Becknology Days, I talked with Jim Riggs, Marketing Consultant for Beck’s Hybrids about crop conditions in Beck’s marketing area. Jim says that compared to the last few years he’s seeing a lot of differences from one area to another, from good crops on poorer soils in the south, to holes caused by heavy rains in June in Illinois. to late season drought stress in western Kentucky and Southern Indiana.
Hemphill Farm Progress Media Tent perennial
August 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment
A big crowd is expected at this year’s 2010 Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa. This is the 57th year of the Farm Progress Show, which these days alternates between show sites at Boone, Iowa, and Decatur, Illinois. While there’s a bit of rain in the forecast during the three day run of the show here in Iowa, New Holland Consultant Gene Hemphill, in his 24th year watching over the Media Tent, says there are definite advantages to having a permanent spot each year, including many improvements on the grounds this year. And in addition to the farm equipment and field demonstrations, an ethanol issues forum will be held featuring Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey.
Pioneer to add research center in NW Iowa
August 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Pioneer Hi-Bred says it will open a new corn research center in northwest Iowa.
The company says the new research facility will be located in Orange City and will provide expanded development and testing of new commercial corn hybrids for northwest Iowa, northeast Nebraska, southeast South Dakota and southwest Minnesota. Pioneer expects to break ground for the facility early this fall and to begin operations in the spring of 2011.
Nebraska’s corn crop matures ahead of average
August 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment
That latest crop progress report from USDA shows 70 percent of Nebraska’s corn crop has reached the dent stage. That’s well ahead of 50 percent last year at this time and also ahead of the 64 percent average for this time of year. Some first-planted fields of corn are considered mature.
Soybean maturation is running a little behind normal. Six percent of the beans are turning color, compared to the 12 percent average. Sorghum turning color is at 39 percent, near the 38 average.
Winter wheat seeding is underway, but USDA says it was slow to advance due to grasshopper concerns in western parts of the state.
Romanski named Wisconsin Ag Secretary
August 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Governor Jim Doyle has appointed Randy Romanski to be Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. Romanski fills the position vacated by the death of Rod Nilsestuen in July. Romanski was Deputy Secretary under Nilsestuen since December, 2007.
Prior to joining DATCP, Romanski served as the Executive Assistant for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, deputy chief of staff for Governor Jim Doyle; executive assistant for the Department of Transportation; and spokesperson and policy analyst for the Wisconsin Department of Justice. He also has strong experience in the state legislature, having held staff positions in both the Senate and the Assembly, working directly on agricultural, rural affairs and natural resources issues.
Responding to VeraSun
August 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Corn farmers who may have received a letter over the weekend from VeraSun asking for repayment of funds due to “bankruptcy preference,” the Illinois Corn Growers Association and National Corn Growers Association have a one-page guide to responding.
The guide is not intended to be legal advice and corn farmers are encouraged to talk with an attorney if additional information is needed.
Conditions improve with cooler weather in South Carolina
August 30, 2010 By 1 Comment
Scattered showers slowed the harvest in some parts of South Carolina last week. The weekly crop progress report from the National Ag Statistics Service South Carolina field office says the cooler temperature did improve crop and livestock conditions a bit.
Nearly all of the corn crop is mature and 43 percent has been harvested, about normal for this date. The crop is rated 45 percent fair, 29 percent good and 2 percent excellent condition.
94 percent of the cotton has set bolls and 12 percent have bolls open, slightly behind the five-year average for this date. The condition of the crop did improve a bit last week with 26 percent rated fair, 64 percent good and 8 percent excellent.
The peanut crop has completed pegging and is rated 22 percent fair, 68 percent good and 9 percent excellent condition.
86 percent of the tobacco has been harvested and 40 percent of producers have destroyed stalks. Watermelon and cantaloupe harvest is complete and the peach harvest is just about finished.
96 percent of the soybeans are bloomed and 80 percent have set pods. Only 2 percent have set pods and some growers report the pods are not setting properly due to the heat early in the season. The beans are rated 29 percent fair, 58 percent good and 6 percent excellent condition.
Pasture conditions improved with the cooler weather last week now 36 percent fair, 51 percent good and 2 percent excellent condition. Livestock condition improved as well now 70 percent good and 2 percent in excellent shape.
Give JULIE a call
August 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment
When the name JULIE comes up, it may well mean the institution that coordinates information about underground utilities. It’s important, especially for those, such as farmers, who occasionally have to excavate. Underground lines can be anywhere and it’s the law that anyone who digs first has to determine and avoid what’s below the surface. Dale Kuhn of JULIE in Illinois says contacting JULIE is easy and worth it. Damaging underground utilities can be costly and dangerous.
John Deere’s Newest Gator at FPS
August 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Kevin Lund, Product Line Marketing Manager for Utility Vehicles with John Deere tells Brownfield the new 825XUV is the fastest, most powerful Gator they’ve ever built. A fast and agile vehicle that, with a 50 horsepower engine will go up to 44 miles per hour.
You can pick one up or order one from your local John Deere dealer for $11,200 for the 825 XUV base vehicle.
Illinois remains dry
August 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Temperatures moderated across the Land of Lincoln last week, but it remained dry and that allowed Illinois corn and soybeans to develop ahead of normal.
According to the Illinois field office of the National Ag Statistics Service, corn has advanced to 87 percent dented and 34 percent of the crop is mature, corn harvest as of Sunday was 2 percent complete.
Looking at soybeans, 22 percent are turning yellow and 5 percent of the crop is shedding leaves.
13 percent of Illinois pastures are in poor to very poor condition.
Topsoil moisture in Illinois, 39 percent short to very short.
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