News Archives
2023 Farm Bill plans disappear in a house divided
The farm bill was never going to get done in 2023, but that doesn't mean there weren't great expectations.

USDA highlights 2023 successes in serving farmers, families and communities
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is marking the end of 2023 by highlighting on-the-ground projects and partnerships that are building economic prosperity for farmers, families, and communities nationwide.

K-State expert outlines key changes in the 2024 Chemical Weed Guide
A Kansas State University weed specialist says an annual publication that outlines guidelines for chemical control in Kansas has undergone several key changes.

Rural Mainstreet Economy sees another slump
A monthly survey of rural bankers in the Midwest suggests farm incomes could trend lower in 2024.

Farmland values expected to remain steady near record levels in 2024
Good yields, strong 2023 farm incomes, a shortage of farmland for sale and moderating interest rates have farm real estate experts optimistic about keeping land values at current high levels heading into 2024.

Appeals court overturns Fortenberry conviction
A federal appeals court has overturned the conviction of former Rep. Jeff Fortenberry for lying to federal investigators, ruling that he was not tried in the proper venue.

Animal Agriculture Alliance releases reports from 2023 animal rights conferences
The Animal Agriculture Alliance has concluded the release of reports from four prominent animal rights extremist conferences held throughout 2023.

Ohio State ATI offers new certificate program
Starting autumn semester 2024, Ohio State ATI in Wooster will offer a new 9-month certificate program in feed mill operations to meet a growing demand in animal agriculture. It is the only program of its kind in Ohio.

Rise in global transportation challenges
An ag economist says some global transportation challenges are impacting the ag industry as the new year approaches.

Tax penalties, Section 179 and bonus depreciation changes for the New Year
As 2023 ends and farmers begin looking ahead to the new year next week, there are a few tax changes the IRS has lined up for 2024 farmers should keep on their radar.

Bayer notches trial court victory in Roundup case
Bayer snapped a run of five straight losses in Roundup trials with a jury verdict out of California finding it was not liable for a man’s cancer.
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K-State beef cattle experts share nutrition advice for herds grazing crop residues in the winter
Many know the key to good health is eating a balanced diet, and in the case of cattle grazing cornstalks, their diet may need to be adjusted as the quality of the forage deteriorates, according to the experts at the Kansas State University Beef Cattle Institute.

MDA announces additional farmland succession support
Farmers and agricultural landowners looking for assistance in creating succession plans for their properties have a new support available through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA).

CBP resumes operations at Mexico rail crossings
The rail crossings at Eagle Pass and El Paso, Texas, are open again after a five-day closure that had halted grain shipments.
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With USDA progress on Packers and Stockyards rulemakings, 2023 a productive year for competition in agriculture
Last week, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) made key procedural moves on several Packers and Stockyards Act (PSA) rulemakings by submitting them to the Office of Management and Budget for review.

USDA cuts breeding inventory, raises pig per litter in Hogs and Pigs report
An ag economist says the December Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report delivered both good and bad news for U.S. hog producers.

Far Upper Mississippi River closed for winter, but USACE begins lock maintenance
For those of us who call the Mississippi River in downtown St. Paul, Minnesota, "a second home," it's always a sad day to watch the last of the barges leave for the winter.

USDA now accepting applications for 40 Climate Change Fellows
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Friday announced that it is hiring 40 Climate Change Fellows to help with the record numbers of applications from farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses seeking funding for clean energy projects under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).

DRY CONDITIONS TO RETURN TO BRAZIL, CROP IMPACT UNCLEAR
An agricultural meteorologist says there’s moisture in the short-term forecast for portions of Brazil, but dry conditions are expected to return.
Drew Lerner with World Weather Incorporated tells Brownfield “we think this pattern will continue at least until the second week of January. And then, maybe in late January, especially February and March, the weather pattern will become more normal, but that’s awful late in the season. There will perhaps be some negative impact on production for the year.”

Fresh Look at Food Versus Fuel Debate
n Friday, Dec. 15, 2023, the U.S. Treasury Department increased the chances that corn-based ethanol and biomass-based diesel will soon be eligible for tax credits designed to encourage the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). See that news here: . USDA Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack said the SAF market has potential to reach 36 billion gallons per year, offering corn and soybean producers valuable access to a potentially large market at a time when the U.S. share of world export markets has suffered a three-decade decline. More specifics for the new proposal are due out by March 1, 2024.

Closed Mexican border rail crossings triggering ag frustration
Farm groups and ag lawmakers are growing increasingly frustrated by the closure of two rail crossings at the U.S-Mexico border and say they haven't received any word of when the situation will be resolved.
The rail closings at Eagle Pass and El Paso, Texas, are halting 1 million bushels of grain movement and costing the U.S. economy $200 million per day in lost sales, triggering a domino effect with the backlog of products to move where it is needed.

Minnesota-specific dicamba herbicide restrictions announced for 2024 growing season
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) Thursday announced that state-specific use restrictions for three dicamba herbicide products will be in place for the 2024 growing season in Minnesota. The restrictions are aimed at curbing off-site movement of the products.

EPA report: US fuel economy marks a new record high; CO2 emissions reach record lows
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday released its annual Automotive Trends Report, which shows that model year 2022 vehicle fuel economy reached a record high while emission levels dropped to record low levels. The report also shows that through the MY 2022 reporting period, all 14 large manufacturers are in compliance with the light-duty greenhouse gas program requirements.

PREVIEWING THIS WEEK’S USDA REPORTS
It’s one of the biggest weeks of the year for livestock reports from the USDA. University of Missouri’s Scott Brown says this final round of reports from the USDA for 2023 has both cattle and hog producers waiting in anticipation.

ARC and PLC Enrollment Is Open, but Price Changes Offer More Options to Weigh
OMAHA (DTN)-- USDA has opened enrollment for Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) for the 2024 crop year, but that doesn't mean farmers should force themselves into making a quick call on ARC and PLC.
Decisions for the 2024 crop year are going to look a little different for ARC and PLC than in the past because the escalator for the effective reference price finally kicks in.

EPA restoring crop uses for chlorpyrifos following court ruling
The Environmental Protection Agency says it will allow farmers to resume using chlorpyrifos insecticide on 11 crops in response to an appeals court ruling last month that the agency failed to adequately consider the safety of those uses.
EPA says it will issue a proposed rule to formally revoke chlorpyrifos tolerances for all but the 11 crops: alfalfa, apple, asparagus, tart cherries, citrus, cotton, peaches, soybeans, strawberries, sugar beets and wheat. The November ruling by the 8th U.S. Court of Appeals in St. Louis vacated EPA regulations that revoked all tolerances for the insecticide.

RFA, others urge immediate reopening of rail bridges to Mexico
The Renewable Fuels Association on Thursday joined dozens of agriculture and other organizations in asking U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to reopen two rail bridges to Mexico, in El Paso and Eagle Pass, that are critical to reaching export markets south of the border.

New pilot app supports Missouri farmers' participation in climate-smart agriculture programs
Earlier this year, MU implemented the $25 million, statewide Missouri CRCL Project — funding that more than half of is going directly to farmers in the form of eight tailored incentive payments to support the adoption of climate-smart practices.


