Latest News From Michelle Rook

Now's the Time to Dig Up Roots to Look for the Most Costly Soybean Pest
Now's the Time to Dig Up Roots to Look for the Most Costly Soybean Pest

The No. 1 yield-robbing pest in soybeans might be one you don't even realize you have in your fields.

Iowa Yield Potential Still Good, but Weather Shaved Off Top End Yield
Iowa Yield Potential Still Good, but Weather Shaved Off Top End Yield

Iowa started off the season with historically high crop ratings but conditions have recently dropped with the recent heat and dryness and that may have taken the top end off yields.  

Heat and Dryness Take Toll on Nebraska Crops: Yields Expected Down From 2021
Heat and Dryness Take Toll on Nebraska Crops: Yields Expected Down From 2021

Crop conditions in Nebraska dropped three-percent for both corn and soybeans last week and are likely to drop even more after this week’s extreme heat and dryness. 

2Q GDP Sinks: What Does it Signal Ahead for Agriculture?
2Q GDP Sinks: What Does it Signal Ahead for Agriculture?

The Commerce Department put out its second quarter GDP data this week, showing the U.S. economy shrank from April through June.

Farmers Feel the Sting of Record Diesel Prices, More Fearful of Harvest Needs
Farmers Feel the Sting of Record Diesel Prices, More Fearful of Harvest Needs

While diesel fuel prices are off their summer peak the high cost is hitting hard at the farm level. 

No Decision From President Biden on Lifting China Tariffs...Yet
No Decision From President Biden on Lifting China Tariffs...Yet

President Biden says he has not made a decision yet on whether to lift some of the $370 billion of tariffs imposed on Chinese imports by the Trump Administration.

Nebraska Farmers Face Cropping Challenges that Could Cut Yield
Nebraska Farmers Face Cropping Challenges that Could Cut Yield

Nebraska farmers have faced various challenges this spring and which may cut into yield prospects for the 2022 season.

Farmers in Corn Belt Face Replant and Prevent Plant
Farmers in Corn Belt Face Replant and Prevent Plant

Farmers in the corn belt are facing both prevent plant and replant situations this spring.

POET Announces Carbon Pipeline Partnership
POET Announces Carbon Pipeline Partnership

POET, the world's largest ethanol producer, has signed a letter of intent to capture and ship carbon from 18 of its ethanol plants in Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota to be stored in Illinois.

Fertilizer Prices Finally Cooling Down
Fertilizer Prices Finally Cooling Down

After hitting record highs, fertilizer prices are finally cooling down.

Prevent Plant Concerns Rise
Prevent Plant Concerns Rise

It's crunch time for farmers in the northwestern corn belt that are facing prevent plant decisions...due to excessive rains that have delayed planting.