(IARN) — There has been concern raised over a statement from the Small Business Administration (SBA) saying that agriculture need not apply for some of their loans. This led to many questioning where farmers stood during this tough time. It seems there is some more clarity as to what help is available for farmers, and what they do not qualify for. Read more
Recognizing Agronomic Professionals For Their Support
(IARN) — Agronomy Week is nearing its end, but there is still time to give your local agronomist the recognition he or she deserves.
The DEKALB, Asgrow, and Deltapine seed brands this week kicked off the fourth annual Agronomy Week. Pete Uitenbroek, DEKALB, Asgrow, and Deltapine brand lead, talks about the industry-wide celebration, providing farmers an opportunity to recognize those supporting them in their day-to-day decision making.
“We want to provide farmers an opportunity to recognize those folks. They can nominate up to three individuals, regardless of what seed brand they plant, by visiting AgronomyWeek.com, the DEKALB Asgrow Facebook or Twitter page and using the hashtags #AgronomyWeek and #contest,” Uitenbroek said.
Nominating farmers will be entered into sweepstakes for a chance to win daily prizes, as well as an Ultimate Field Day grand prize, to be held this summer, if public health conditions permit.
The quick recognition could make a “big difference” in the lives of agronomists, who work day and night to support their customers across the countryside, shares Uietenbroek.
“We’re realizing that digital tools and solutions can put us face-to-face with our customers and farmers at any given point. Whether it’s Skype, FaceTime, or some other soultion that enable realtime conversations, those tools are being used a lot more. I think all the pieces are in place to continue to support growers at a high level, whether that’s in person at the farmgate or virtually,” Uietenbroek said.
Story courtesy of the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network. Read more
Analysts Forecast Bearish WASDE
(IARN) — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials tomorrow will release the monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report. Experts anticipate increases to domestic and global ending stocks.
The “next big thing” the trade must take into consideration is the April World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report, shares Jim McCormick, branch manager of Ag Market. He also makes note of the latest Grain Stocks report being factored in.
“What they’re going to do is make demand adjustments based on the quarterly Grain Stocks report,” McCormick said. “We look for the feed and residual number to be improved, but offset by a drop in ethanol demand.” Read more
NCBA Requests President Trump Expand USDA Market Investigation
(IARN) — The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is asking the Department of Agriculture to further investigate the cattle and beef markets. NCBA President Marty Smith sent a letter to President Donald Trump on the matter Wednesday. The letter requests the government to act quickly to investigate the striking disparity between boxed beef prices and cattle prices in the futures and cash markets during the current COVID-19 crisis, and following the packing plant fire in Holcomb, Kansas, last August. Read more
Maintain Flexibility Throughout 2020 Crop Season
(IARN) — Two-thousand-nineteen highlighted the importance of preparing a backup plan. Plan A may not pan out, and one must be prepared to not only accept that, but act upon it. An agronomic consultant advises producers to “have a plan, but not be bound to it.”
Flexibility will be key as producers maneuver their way through another crop season, shares Matthew Brandt, North America agronomic system lead for Bayer. Brandt proceeds in offering advice to growers coming off a historically challenging year. Read more
CoVID-19 Hitting Iowa Ag Industries Hard
(IARN) — “This is something that we couldn’t have seen coming.” That is what Anna Hastert said to me this morning when we did our first of a few phone calls of the day. We were referring to the impact COVID-19 is having on the agriculture industry in Iowa. We have learned in the past days that two meatpacking plants have idled, and POET has idled two more ethanol plants in Iowa. Read more