Lots of planting. But many CropWatchers report they’re ready for a rain. Read their latest reports.   Mark Kerber, Livingston County: Planters rolled last week. Warm weather is finally here! Stands of corn after three weeks of 30-degree weather are in question. Topsoil for planting got dry last week as we put the planter a notch deeper. Looks like planting progress is 90% complete. Brent Clair, Adams County: Early corn looks to have been spared from recent cold snaps. Mid-April corn is close to breaking through. Soybeans are hit and miss. Focus turns to spraying, but with multiple days of

The swift downturn in the hog market came as a jolt to many farmers who were looking at prices in the triple digits earlier this year. “If you are a pork producer, the current market dynamic must be disheartening,” authors of the CME Group’s Daily Livestock Report noted. Toni Dunker of Advance Trading discusses what it will take to build demand back up.   Read more

The father-son farming team of Dave and Matt Lidy put together feed rations using everything from starter pellets, hominy and wet distillers grain to wet corn gluten feed. They even salvaged wheat from a bin that was damaged in a spring storm. “Our goal is to be very labor efficient with facilities and equipment that match each other,” said Dave Lidy. Learn about their cattle feeding operation on a former dairy farm in Clinton County.   Read more

Does the name Glendell Arlinda Chief sound familiar? At one time, he was the top bull in the industry in his age bracket. That’s just one accomplishment of Joann Hartman’s family farm in Monroe County. The operation currently supports three generations of Hartmans — Joann, Kenneth Jr. and Amanda. The Hartmans share how they’ve found success working alongside each other.   Read more

While areas of the Mississippi River largely remained above flood stage through late April, a repeat of 2022 summer and fall could cause a significant drop in water levels. Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Michael Connor said the service this year is leaning on “lessons learned” from last year to “try and ensure that the next drought doesn’t have a steep impact.” Connor discussed more of the Corps’ strategy during the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works hearing.   Read more

Once leaders in citrus crop production, citrus farmers in the United States, particularly in Florida, have faced numerous challenges that have led to an unfortunate decline in domestic supply. This American Farm Bureau Federation Market Intel provides an update on domestic citrus production and the factors driving U.S. market share across borders and overseas.   Read more