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| Cover Story |
| Independent crop yield tours at odds with USDA |
| DEER CREEK, Ill. – Illinois’ corn yield will average just 189.4 bushels per acre at harvest, according to results from the 2020 Pro Farmer Midwest Crop Tour. That estimate, which takes into account the effects of the Aug. 10 derecho and recent near-drought conditions, comes in far shy of the 207 bushels pre-derecho USDA projection for the 2020 Illinois corn yield. |
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| Farm bankruptcies are up for fifth straight year |
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Most farmers across the country have tightened their belts and are doing their best to make ends meet. Most, that is. An American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) “Market Intel” report shows a total of 627 bankruptcy filings during the 12-month period from June 2019 to June 2020, marking five consecutive years of Chapter 12 bankruptcy increases |
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| Ohio program will help add grape vines to the landscape |
REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio – The Ohio Grape Industries Committee (OGIC) is giving Ohioans the opportunity to start – or add to – a vineyard to help spur grape production in the state. The Vineyard Expansion Assistance Program (VEAP) will award up to $3,000 per acre, with a maximum of three acres, to establish grape vines beginning in 2021. Vines for wine or table grapes are eligible. The funding will only cover the cost of the grape vines planted |
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| Pros and cons of lambing outside or in a shed |
Few things are more satisfying to livestock producers than witnessing new life begin. Slimy, soaking wet, wobbling legged lambs who nose dive as they attempt to stand. Finally, on their feet nuzzling the wrong end of mom in search of the fist meal – we anticipate the arrival of lambs for months. |
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AFBF: USDA’s new conservation final rule falls short
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) recently advocated for clear rules and safeguards to ensure fair treatment of U.S. farmers in conservation compliance with the USDA’s Highly Erodible Land and Wetland Conservation Final Rule. But AFBF officials said the new final rule, made public Aug. 28, does not remedy unfair enforcement by the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). |
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Michigan Agriculture Advancement focusing on farms and farmers |
STOCKBRIDGE, Mich. – A new agriculture group just announced in Michigan is aiming to do something just a little bit different; it’s called Michigan Agriculture Advancement (MiAA). The advocacy group, announced on Aug. 25, is headed up by longtime Michigan agriculture leader Tim Boring, a farmer of row crops and small grains in Stockbridge, about 40 miles northwest of Ann Arbor. Most recently Boring has served as vice president of the Michigan Agribusiness Association. He holds a doctorate in crop and soil sciences from Michigan State University. In describing the goals of the new organization, Boring likes to use the term resiliency. It seems similar to sustainability, but with a focus on farms, farming and farmers, not just on the environment. |
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Red Gold farmers win award for conservation practices
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INDIANAPOLIS – Adam Myers constructed an irrigation pond and uses drip tape to water his tomatoes and other crops on his sod farm in southern Indiana. The Rice family has planted cover crops on its LaPorte County farm for 30 years. For their conservation efforts, the farms have been named winners of the Red Gold Stewardship award, presented by the Elwood, Ind.-based tomato processor and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA). In its 12th year, the program recognizes Red Gold growers who value improving soil health and water quality on their operations, ISDA said. |
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| Midwestern Hemp Database records growth |
| URBANA, Ill. – Early-season production considerations for hemp were the topics of a University of Illinois Extension Commercial Agriculture Team webinar that included information about a new, research-driven database for Midwestern hemp production. A collaboration among Illinois Extension, Purdue University Extension, Michigan State University Extension and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the goal of the Midwestern Hemp Database is to provide regional insight into agronomic performance and cannabinoid development of industrial hemp varieties. |
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| Community finds market for pigs shown at county fair |
HAMILTON, Ohio – While there was a livestock show, of sorts, at the Butler County Fair, fair board members suggested that kids who were showing pigs take their animals home at the end of the fair. FFA and 4-H members had not been able to take the Ohio Department of Agriculture-required Quality Assurance Program. Plus, packers are booked for the foreseeable future. Things were not looking bright for show participants. |
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| NCBA, IBA are calling for reform in cattle marketing |
| SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois Beef Association (IBA) is joining with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) in calling for structural reform to how cattle are marketed both regionally and nationally. Jill Johnson, IBA executive director, issued the call for reform during a policy webinar broadcast on Aug. 11 |
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