IARN — Newly proposed legislation includes provisions for biofuels.
U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Tuesday introduced a fourth stimulus package. The Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act, otherwise known as the HEROES Act, includes support for biofuels producers.
American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) Chief Executive Officer Brian Jennings is pleased to see support for biofuels. He notes biofuel producers were excluded from earlier stimulus measures. Read more
IARN — Private exporters on Wednesday confirmed new sales to China. The Asian nation purchased 396,000 metric tons of soybeans. Half of the sale is old crop, while the other half is new crop.
Greg McBride, branch manager of Ag Market Net, says this is “a good sign,” and believes China remains committed to fulfilling Phase One trade agreements, despite beliefs about the nation wanting to renegotiate terms of the agreement.
“They’ve been aggressive in buying the last couple of weeks. I have to admit, I was a little bit surprised yesterday when the government lowered old crop sales of beans,” McCormick said. “Maybe there’s a shot they’ll bring those back up, if the sales heat up as we move through the heart of summer.” Read more
IARN — The Sustainable Food Policy Alliance wants the White House to prioritize COVID-19 testing for food and agriculture workers. The group sent the request in a letter to Vice President Mike Pence and Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue this week. The organization urges that food and agriculture workers, as part of an essential industry, be heightened in priority for expedited testing, personal protective equipment, and any other forthcoming treatment related to COVID-19. Read more
Statewide Iowa — More than a dozen U.S. senators, including Iowans Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst, are calling for indemnity support for pork producers who are depopulating their herds due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more
IARN — Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) along with his colleagues Sens. Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) and Steve Daines (R-Mont.) today introduced legislation to foster efficient markets while increasing competition and transparency among meatpackers who purchase livestock directly from independent producers. This bill will require that a minimum of 50 percent of a meat packer’s weekly volume of beef slaughter be purchased on the open or spot market.
“The lack of transparency in cattle pricing isn’t a new problem, but the negative effects of the fire in Holcomb, Kansas, and COVID-19 have highlighted the need for additional price transparency measures to ensure producers are getting a fair price for the hard work of raising cattle. Food doesn’t come from the grocery store; it comes from tens of thousands of farmers and independent producers who work day and night to ensure families across the country have an abundant supply of food. Independent producers deserve to be paid what their beef is worth,” Grassley said. Read more
IARN — Early planted soybeans are most at-risk, following weekend frost.
A technical agronomist first recommends giving plants a couple days to see whether they are going to survive or not. She then provides recommendations for acres needing replanted.
Nicole Stecklein, DEKALB Asgrow technical agronomist, offers advice to farmers who might need to replant soybeans. She recommends contacting your insurance agent and then lining up seed.
“In corn, if you are going to plant in a late window, you are going to want a shorter maturity. On the soybean side, it’s different. The later you plant, the longer season you want to make it,” Stecklein said.
Extended forecasts look promising for replanting acres.
“It looks like we are going to warm up a bit. I saw some 80s at the end of the 10-day forecast. But then they’re also talking (about) rain. I like to wait, when we get a frost event, to determine if I have a stand or not,” Stecklein said.
The best thing you can do when it comes to replanting is: “Make a decision and stick with it,” according to Stecklein.
“When it comes to some tricky decisions, make your decision and go with it. I think that’s going to be important this year, and in this situation. When you go out and make a determination, don’t take a day or two to ‘ho hum’ about it. Make your decision and go with it,” Stecklein said.
Last, but not least, Stecklein encourages producers to “not give up on a crop showing potential.”
“You’re always going to find some sort of tough spot within the growing season, whether it comes down to weather, prices, or whatever it is. If you give up on the crop, the crop is going to give up on you. if you have potential, no matter what stage, continue to make the right decisions,” Stecklein said.
Story courtesy of the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network. Read more