Market News
Genetic code determining cotton leaf shape gets cracked
Thu Dec 29, 2016
The researchers describe how they manipulated the genetic code to alter the shape of a cotton plant's leaves in potentially beneficial ways in this Southeast Farm Press article.
Cotton acreage to increase in LRGV for 2017
Thu Dec 29, 2016
Cotton is making a comeback in the Rio Grande Valley in 2017, spurred in part by new cotton technology. Read more on the comeback from this Southwest Farm Press article.
Farm financial management in challenging times
Thu Dec 29, 2016
As long as corn prices are projected to be below $4.00 per bushel, net incomes on Illinois grain farms will be relatively low. It is highly likely that below $4.00 corn will continue for the crop harvested in 2016. Unless a large shortfall occurs someplace in the world, below $4.00 corn likely will...
Headwinds to ag outlook remain despite strength in exports
Thu Dec 29, 2016
Some agricultural commodity prices in the U.S. got a boost from exports over the summer, but elevated exports seemed to only keep prices for some commodities from dropping further. Low commodity prices in late 2016 have put downward pressure on farm income, credit conditions, such as repayment rates...
IFES 2016: Crop & livestock price prospects for 2017
Thu Dec 29, 2016
Crop prices remain well below the record levels of 2010 through 2013 as U.S. and world supplies remain abundant, even with a shortfall in South American corn and soybean production in 2016, commodity demand also continues to suffer from prolonged slow economic growth in much of the world. Read more...
Setting up variable rate seeding
Wed Dec 28, 2016
Is it time to reduce seed costs by adopting variable-rate seeding? This practice has been accepted in corn, but instead of lowering the rate you push up the rate in areas with high yield potential. Well, in soybeans you do the opposite. Read more on setting up variable rate seeding from this ILSoyAd...
Trapping phosphate with gypsum
Mon Dec 26, 2016
It's time to think about applying gypsum in the fall to build soil structure while trapping phosphate on the landscape so it doesn't end up moving off the field into surface waters. Read more on the approach from this ILSoyAdvisor.com article.
Fresh Express recalls salad for possible allergen exposure
Mon Dec 26, 2016
Fresh Express has recalled 100 cases of 9-ounce Fresh Express Hearts of Romaine Salad due to possible exposure to undeclared allergens. Read more on the recall from this Packer story.
Cotton drifting toward the mid-70s…maybe
Mon Dec 26, 2016
Cotton prices slid below 70 cents, basis march for the first time in months as the market enters the last trading week of 2016. The 2017 calendar year should have more positive news in front of it, at least for the remaining 2016 crop year contracts, the March, May and July. Read more on cotton mark...
2017 food trend predictions
Mon Dec 26, 2016
Each year the National Restaurant Association (NRA), major grocery store outlets, food magazines, and others offer predictions for the hottest food trends for the upcoming year. Read some of their predictions from this MSU Extension News article.
2016 Soybean Update & Cross Reference Guide now available
Wed Dec 21, 2016
Two popular soybean publications have been updated for 2016 and are now available. The Soybean Update is an annual publication and the Cross Reference Guide features a list of common soybean varieties and their genetically identical commercially branded names.
CA citrus weathers the chill
Wed Dec 21, 2016
Temperatures dipping into the 30's failed to harm mandarins and navels as you can learn from this AgDay Packer TV video.
AR cotton update: 2016 in review & looking forward
Wed Dec 21, 2016
The 2016 crop was disappointing for many. Some of our better cotton picked three bales but there wasn't many four bale fields. Finishing the season just under our five year average will not pay the bills. Read more on the 2016 season and looking to 2017 from this Arkansas Row Crops article.
Huge crop losses in 2016 will impact choices for 2017
Wed Dec 21, 2016
The impacts of a 2016 growing season that may have cost crop farmers up to $50 million in losses due to wet weather, plus the pressures of lower commodity prices, may prompt changes in Arkansas' row crop landscape for 2017, said extension faculty from the University of Arkansas System Division of...
New disease crosses the Atlantic
Wed Dec 21, 2016
Soon after their spuds were planted in 2014, some growers in the northeastern United States knew they had a problem. Much of the crop didn't even emerge. Growers were looking at stands of only 40 percent, said Steve Johnson, an Extension crops specialist with the University of Maine. Read more on...