Latest News From Jenna Hoffman

Pro Farmer Crop Tour, Day 4: Saved the Best Crop Conditions for Last
Pro Farmer Crop Tour, Day 4: Saved the Best Crop Conditions for Last

Soybeans took a hit in Minnesota, which was the western leg's trend this year. Corn showed more kernel depth and yield on both routes.

Here’s How Farmers Are Using USDA's $121 Million for Rural Development
Here’s How Farmers Are Using USDA's $121 Million for Rural Development

We often hear about government funding but little about how it is actually being used. These 289 projects funded by the USDA will cover everything from solar arrays to grain dryers.

Pro Farmer Crop Tour, Day 3: Western Iowa Weakened by Drought and Pests, Illinois Shows Promise
Pro Farmer Crop Tour, Day 3: Western Iowa Weakened by Drought and Pests, Illinois Shows Promise

The 'it looked good from the road' trend continued into western Iowa on Wednesday. In Illinois, scouts found a good crop, but maybe not the bumper crop they did last year.

Pro Farmer Crop Tour, Day 2: Weather Scars Mark Nebraska, Indiana Fields Hit-Or-Miss
Pro Farmer Crop Tour, Day 2: Weather Scars Mark Nebraska, Indiana Fields Hit-Or-Miss

Tuesday's Crop Tour trek through Nebraska and Indiana gave scouts a glimpse at the moderate to exceptional drought Mother Nature has brought down on soil and crops this growing season.

$100 Million Grant to Renewable Fuels Will Bring ‘New Wave of Growth’
$100 Million Grant to Renewable Fuels Will Bring ‘New Wave of Growth’

These funds—separate from the $500 million recently enacted through the Inflation Reduction Act—will be used for facility installation, retrofitting and pump upgrades, along with new equipment and buildings.

Pro Farmer Crop Tour, Day 1: South Dakota Conditions 'Disappointing,' Grain Length Takes a Hit in Ohio
Pro Farmer Crop Tour, Day 1: South Dakota Conditions 'Disappointing,' Grain Length Takes a Hit in Ohio

Extreme weather situations, including the annual Derecho, hit regions on the eastern leg earlier this year. While the eastern Corn Belt isn't as dry as its western counterpart, yield potential looks lower than 2021.

Have You Looked into NRCS Program Funding? New Opportunities Available in the Reconciliation Package
Have You Looked into NRCS Program Funding? New Opportunities Available in the Reconciliation Package

The Inflation Reduction Act was signed into action on Tuesday, triggering a stream of funds to ag, including conservation. USDA penned a press release to break down its plans for roughly $60 billion in new funds.

Round Robin: Which State Will Have the Highest Crop Yields?
Round Robin: Which State Will Have the Highest Crop Yields?

The 2022 Pro Farmer Crop Tour will be sweeping the Midwest soon. We spoke with a handful of master crop scouts to get a preview of what to expect on each leg of the tour.

What's Ag's Stake in the Senate-Passed Inflation Reduction Act?
What's Ag's Stake in the Senate-Passed Inflation Reduction Act?

The reconciliation bill is heading to the House on Friday with many provisions on ag. Here's what producers need to know about the Inflation Reduction Act.

senate
Biden's Environmental Plans Upended by the Senate's Latest Vote

The Congressional Review Act (CRA) was established in 1996 as a way for Congress to reverse rules created by federal agencies. Wiesemeyer says the Senate exercising the CRA will "claw back" Biden's climate plans.

China's Latest Land Purchase Could Pose Major U.S. Security Risk
China's Latest Land Purchase Could Pose Major U.S. Security Risk

Fufeng Group recently bought 300 acres of land in North Dakota and the proximity to a U.S. military base has many concerned. But this isn’t the first time questions have been raised about China’s stake in the U.S.

Dutch Farmers Are Protesting A Government Policy Canada and Ireland are Now Proposing, Is The U.S. Next?
Dutch Farmers Are Protesting A Government Policy Canada and Ireland are Now Proposing, Is The U.S. Next?

“I feel like every day is one day closer to having the President declare a climate emergency,” says Newlin. “Once that happens, I don’t know what it will mean for ag, or what it’s going to open up the door to."

President Biden Fast Tracks the Switch from Fossil Fuels to Renewable Energy
President Biden Fast Tracks the Switch from Fossil Fuels to Renewable Energy

Biden spoke up in Massachusetts on Wednesday to deliver his administration’s executive action climate plans in lieu of Manchin’s decision, including offshore wind, bolstered utilities and workplace heat inspections.

Kubota to Offer Additional $100,000 to a Community in Need
Kubota to Offer Additional $100,000 to a Community in Need

Cast your vote in Kubota's Hometown Proud Grant Program to help a community win $100,000, and be entered for your chance to win a sub-compact tractor or zero turn mower.

RedRiverValleySoil
New Bill Aims to Strengthen Research in Ag Conservation

The Carbon Sequestration Collaboration Act aims to increase agriculture and forestry’s current 13% carbon capture rate by establishing more research and development programs in land use.

What’s Your Take on the 2018 Farm Bill?
What’s Your Take on the 2018 Farm Bill?

The House Ag Committee is seeking feedback on the 2018 Farm Bill in preparation for the 2023 Farm Bill draft.

Boron helps ensure healthy crops. The micronutrient plays a role in many growth processes, including cell division, nitrogen metabolism and water absorption.
Is Your Operation Prepared for a Tar Spot Outbreak?

With tar spot’s ability to rapidly spread, agronomists fear another wave of the disease will hit the Midwest again this season.

New Data Shows Ag’s Climate Footprint is Shrinking
New Data Shows Ag’s Climate Footprint is Shrinking

According to the USDA, 2020 farming activities in the U.S. made up 11.2 percent, or 670 of 5,981 million metrics tons, of the U.S.’s total carbon contribution.

Sulfur Safety: Fertilizer Plant Fire Sheds Light on the Importance of Safe Handling Protocols
Sulfur Safety: Fertilizer Plant Fire Sheds Light on the Importance of Safe Handling Protocols

Gold Eagle Cooperative in Hardy, Iowa suffered a scare on Tuesday afternoon when the bin under its fertilizer building exploded.

What Would a Neutral Weather Pattern Mean for Harvest?
What Would a Neutral Weather Pattern Mean for Harvest?

UNL says heavy rains across the nation this week may have eased the drought conditions in the short-term, but they won’t be enough for the long run.

Bill Gates’ North Dakota Farmland Purchase Approved by the Attorney General
Bill Gates’ North Dakota Farmland Purchase Approved by the Attorney General

The state hosts “corporate farming laws,” barring corporations and limited liability companies from owning and leasing farms and ranches.

Emmy Award-Winning TV Series Tells Ag’s Story in a Unique Way
Emmy Award-Winning TV Series Tells Ag’s Story in a Unique Way

PBS is in its third season of airing American Grown: My Job Depends on Ag, an Emmy Award-winning docuseries that could be headed to your region in coming months.

Biden's Climate Agenda Upended by SCOTUS's Ruling on the EPA
Biden's Climate Agenda Upended by SCOTUS's Ruling on the EPA

“Capping carbon dioxide emissions at a level that will force a nationwide transition away from the use of coal to generate electricity may be a sensible solution to the crisis of the day,” says Chief Justice Roberts.

Who Can Afford These Soaring Farmland Prices?
Who Can Afford These Soaring Farmland Prices?

A record Iowa land sale occurred in Dubuque County, Iowa last week with High Point Land Company saying it auctioned off 60 acres for $30,000 per acre. With financial stakes so high, who can afford these big money moves?

In the 'Silo': Hulu Film Sheds Light on the Dangers of Grain Bin Entrapment
In the 'Silo': Hulu Film Sheds Light on the Dangers of Grain Bin Entrapment

Purdue reported 23 fatalities related to grain bin entrapment in 2019. These stories haunted a city-dwelling film producer, Sam Goldberg, prompting him to share the dangers in putting food on the world's table.

Wheat field
GMO Wheat Searches for a Spot on the World's Table

With threats to global food supplies, ag companies are stepping up to ensure wheat has a seat at everyone’s table. Embrapa is taking a shot at filling the wheat void through GMO wheat trials.

WOTUS Roundtable Reveals New Rule Pushes Definition 'Back to Square One', says NCBA
WOTUS Roundtable Reveals New Rule Pushes Definition 'Back to Square One', says NCBA

EPA hosted its fifth WOTUS roundtable last week with the Kansas Livestock Association, revealing murky waters in the WOTUS definition.

Third Year of La Niña on the Horizon as Drought Continues in the Plains
Third Year of La Niña on the Horizon as Drought Continues in the Plains

Drought on the mind again this summer? Many ag experts say it should be now, and next year.

Pump Prices Soar As Biden Dedicates $7.5 Billion to Electric Vehicles
Pump Prices Soar As Biden Dedicates $7.5 Billion to Electric Vehicles

The Biden administration announced funding for electric vehicle charging infrastructure through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to build a “convenient and equitable” charging network of 500,000 stations.

Is the World Really Running Out of Wheat?
Is the World Really Running Out of Wheat?

U.S. estimates show global wheat levels are stockpiled at 33% of annual consumption. Gro Intelligence says the world’s numerous economic crises prove government estimates are “not adding up.”

gas_pump
New E15 Pump Availability Marks a “Clear Path Forward” in Sales

2,600 pumps in 31 states now offer ethanol blends. Jon Doggett, NCGA CEO, says year-round E15 will incentivize buyers and retailers to map a clear path to more E15 pumps, saving $12.2 billion in annual fuel costs.

John Deere Looks for Leaps in Automation and Digitalization
John Deere Looks for Leaps in Automation and Digitalization

“The more tech we can develop to allow farmers to get productivity out of their land without having to spend so much money on fertilizer and inputs, the better off everybody is,” says John Deere's Julian Sanchez.

CRP Contract Termination to Offset Global Food Crisis Gains USDA's Approval
CRP Contract Termination to Offset Global Food Crisis Gains USDA's Approval

Participants who seek this one-time, voluntary termination do not have to repay rental payments. But they must make requests for voluntary termination in writing through their local USDA office.

containers_exports_trade
What Biden's New Economic Framework Means for Ag Trade

President Biden spent last weekend in Tokyo, Japan. During the visit, Biden announced a dozen Indo-Pacific countries will join the U.S. in a “sweeping” economic initiative, primarily focused on countering China.

anhydrous ammonia
World’s Largest Clean Ammonia Production Facility to be Built in Louisiana

Nutrien announced this week it will build the world’s largest clean ammonia production facility in Geismar, Louisiana, to “decarbonize agriculture.”

Conservation, Loan Rates and Insurance: 3 Farm Bill Topics Gain Traction
Conservation, Loan Rates and Insurance: 3 Farm Bill Topics Gain Traction

The Senate Committee on Ag, Nutrition and Forestry held the first 2023 Farm Bill hearing in early May. Hearing attendees agreed the 2023 Farm Bill should echo elements in the current bill and address new topics.

The Perfect Storm: Now’s the Time to Safeguard Your Soil
The Perfect Storm: Now’s the Time to Safeguard Your Soil

A dust storm rippled through the Midwest late last week, followed by rain in some parts and continued heat in others. This weather event highlights soil safeguarding needs, according to Conservation Agronomist Roberts.

USDA Extends Comment Period for Competition Challenges in Ag
USDA Extends Comment Period for Competition Challenges in Ag

Three requests for information were published by the Federal Register. The requests outlined information about competition in regard to producers’ access to fertilizer, seed and ag inputs, as well as food retail.

Water_Stream_Grain_Bins_Pens
WOTUS Roundtable Reveals Potential Runoff Management Flaws in the Midwest

“This flawed system isn’t due to rains or weather. Unless we have remedial practices and advocate for cover crops, buffer strips and diversity, we can’t solve the problem," says Former USDA Soil Scientist Thicke.

Biden: Double Crop Because 'We Can't Take Any Chances'
Biden: Double Crop Because 'We Can't Take Any Chances'

Biden says Ukraine has 20 million tons of stored grain awaiting export to various countries. He says lack of port movement coupled with halted planting in Ukraine will ignite a global food crisis unless action is taken.

Two Reasons to Keep U.S. Tariffs on Chinese Imports
Two Reasons to Keep U.S. Tariffs on Chinese Imports

Pro Farmer's Jim Wiesemeyer is told U.S. lawmakers want Chinese import tariffs knocked down to minimize inflationary pressure. USTR Katherine Tai says tariff adjustments aren't likely, but are on the table.

Giant Salvinia’s Hidden Uses Unlocked by LSU Students
Giant Salvinia’s Hidden Uses Unlocked by LSU Students

It is far too common to see waterways in Louisiana clogged by giant salvinia, an invasive aquatic plant native to South America. Now, Louisiana is looking at an alternative use for the noxious plant — paper.

School_Lunch
Are Diets Based on Plants or Meats Better for Kids?

Researchers at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, Canada recently published a study showing kids who eat a vegetarian diet had similar growth and nutrition compared to children who consume meat.

Everything You Need to Know About the Proposed $500M to Ag in Biden's Ukraine Aid Program
Everything You Need to Know About the Proposed $500M to Ag in Biden's Ukraine Aid Program

What's included in the White House's recent Ukraine aid proposal? AgriTalk Host Chip Flory reads between the lines with the Biden administration's Candace Vahlsing, as industry leaders examine the potential consequences.

Ethanol Plant
Renewable Fuel's Big Week on The Hill

EPA Administrator Michael Regan hints at a major uptick in renewable fuel blending obligations to be announced on June 3rd, as ethanol production is stunted by railway inefficiencies.

How Will 400 Million People in China's Lockdown Affect Global Markets?
How Will 400 Million People in China's Lockdown Affect Global Markets?

While China grapples with choosing which production lines to reopen, the food shortage conversation looks to ramp up.

Blue Light: A Proven Weed Destroyer
Blue Light: A Proven Weed Destroyer

Scientists in Ohio are testing a new product to be mounted on the rear of combines, effectively killing weed seeds on-site to reduce weed populations year-over-year.

White Planters 9800VE Series
How Will La Niña Impact Spring Planting?

We spoke with three weather experts this week to gauge when the best time is to press “start” on planting, what to expect this growing season and how you can use weather as a chess piece in your marketing plans.

iphone mobile technology
Million Dollar Math Problem to Help Farmers Optimize Travel and Fieldwork

Heartland, a biotech company, says it has solved the Traveling Salesman Problem and intends to put the software in an app they’re calling ReMap that "saves farmers fuel and time.”

Roundup of Biostimulants Options
Roundup of Biostimulants Options

Here is a guide to the products available in the corn and soybean markets.