Latest News From Retail Industry

As Pipeline Shutdown Sparks Fuel Shortage Fears, Groups Say Ethanol Could Ease Supply Issues
As Pipeline Shutdown Sparks Fuel Shortage Fears, Groups Say Ethanol Could Ease Supply Issues

Fuel prices were already on the rise, but now a cyber attack on one of the largest fuel pipelines in the U.S. is creating fears about possible shortages. One group says ethanol could help ease supply constraints.

ServiTech Announces Christie Werner and Mark Morten as new Territory Leaders
ServiTech Announces Christie Werner and Mark Morten as new Territory Leaders

ServiTech, Inc., added two to its team of Territory Leaders. Christie Werner is the new Southwestern Territory Lead and Mark Morten is the new Nebraska West Territory Lead for the ServiTech Crop Services team

Jet Stream Bringing Important Changes
Jet Stream Bringing Important Changes

Meteorologist Mike Hoffman takes a look at the changing jet stream.

Signal to Noise: What’s a $4 Trillion Price Tag Get You?
Signal to Noise: What’s a $4 Trillion Price Tag Get You?

Here's what you need to know about Biden's $4 trillion dollar infrastructure plan. Plus, what's the deal with Liz Cheney and internal conflict in the Republican party? Get the details in this week's Signal to Noise.

U.S. Needs to Conserve Land Twice the Size of Texas to Reach Biden's 30x30 Goal
U.S. Needs to Conserve Land Twice the Size of Texas to Reach Biden's 30x30 Goal

The plan is now called "America the Beautiful," and is a 10 year, locally-led and voluntary nationwide effort to conserve, connect and restore 30% of the nation's lands and waters by the year 2030.

As Exceptional Drought Grows, South Dakota Farmer Says It’s Too Dry to Even Plant
As Exceptional Drought Grows, South Dakota Farmer Says It’s Too Dry to Even Plant

The USDA Crop Progress Report revealed 70% of South Dakota's subsoil moisture is considered short to very short.  One South Dakota farmer says it's a dire situation, one keeping him from planting his corn crop yet.

Sukup Manufacturing Co. Announces COO Hire
Sukup Manufacturing Co. Announces COO Hire

“John has stellar experience in agriculture and manufacturing, and will be a valuable addition to our team,” said Steve Sukup, President and CEO.

Koch Agronomic Services Completes Acquisition of Compass Minerals' North American Micronutrient Assets
Koch Agronomic Services Completes Acquisition of Compass Minerals' North American Micronutrient Assets

This deal includes Wolf Trax, Rocket Seeds and Hydro Bullet product platforms.

Biden Officials Make Recommendations for Protecting 30% of U.S. Land, Water
Biden Officials Make Recommendations for Protecting 30% of U.S. Land, Water

The Biden administration outlined six categories for how land and water should be used as a first step toward carrying out the president's campaign pledge to conserve 30% of U.S. land and water over the next decade.

FAQs on COVID-19 Vaccination with U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy
FAQs on COVID-19 Vaccination with U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy

“We know rural areas are different from urban areas, people are more spread out, it's not always as easy to travel to one location that's close to everyone to get a vaccine," Dr. Murthy says.

I-80 Planting Tour: Nebraska Farmers Make Up for Lost Ground as Dryness Concerns Mount
I-80 Planting Tour: Nebraska Farmers Make Up for Lost Ground as Dryness Concerns Mount

Cold temperatures in April squashed hopes for an early planting season here in Nebraska but now that farmers are in the field they're making up for lost ground, but dryness concerns are continuing to mount.

CME to Permanently Close Most Physical Trading Pits
CME to Permanently Close Most Physical Trading Pits

Futures exchange operator CME Group Inc said on Tuesday it will not reopen the physical trading pits which it closed last March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

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ARA Action on Chlorpyrifos Court Ruling

The Ninth Circuit Court ruling requires the EPA to either write a new rule to allow for the safe use of chlorpyrifos or halt all food residue tolerances of the insecticide, which would ban most uses of the chemical

Exploding Ethanol Exports Aided by China’s Second-Largest Monthly Shipments on Record
Exploding Ethanol Exports Aided by China’s Second-Largest Monthly Shipments on Record

The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) says China’s buying increased to 48.3 million gallons in March, which is the second largest monthly export total ever on record, just missing the high set in April 2016.

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Warren Buffett’s 4 Best Tips for Business Leaders

Warren Buffett has been the chairman of Berkshire Hathaway since 1970. He is routinely asked for his advice by students and others in the business. Here are a few of his tips.

Growing Drought: USDA Indicates 14 States Have No Topsoil Moisture in Surplus Conditions
Growing Drought: USDA Indicates 14 States Have No Topsoil Moisture in Surplus Conditions

Drier weather helped aid major planting progress for U.S. farmers last week, but it didn’t help the topsoil moisture situation. USDA's Crop Progress report indicates 55% of the U.S. topsoil is considered ‘adequate.'

Any Sign of Relief From the Drought on the Way?
Any Sign of Relief From the Drought on the Way?

Meteorologist Mike Hoffman looks ahead to the weather we could see this week.

Corn Planting Progress Leaps 29 Points, Beats 2020’s Historic Jump
Corn Planting Progress Leaps 29 Points, Beats 2020’s Historic Jump

A wide-open week with dry weather helped farmers make large strides in planting progress. USDA shows as of Sunday, May 2, 46% of the corn crop had been planted, a 29-point jump in just a week.

Nichino America Announces Promotions
Nichino America Announces Promotions

Brent Byers is named senior manager of strategic planning and business development, and Amanda Carson is now eastern region sales manager.

AMVAC Environmental Products Rebrands as AMGUARD Environmental Technologies
AMVAC Environmental Products Rebrands as AMGUARD Environmental Technologies

New name reflects strategic commitment to providing compelling portfolio of technology and innovative solutions to specialty markets

Goodyear Tire Will Replace All Petroleum Products with Soybean Oil By 2040
Goodyear Tire Will Replace All Petroleum Products with Soybean Oil By 2040

After years of work with USB and the Soy Checkoff, Goodyear Tire is now committing to phasing out all petroleum from its products by the year 2040, using soybean oil in its place.

Labor Shortage, Wet Weather Cause Lumber Prices to Surge 359%
Labor Shortage, Wet Weather Cause Lumber Prices to Surge 359%

Lumber prices are up 359% since last year at this time, with a 69% increase taking place since the start of 2021, prices not trickling down to producers. And there are three factors aiding to the surge in prices today.

Shake, Rattle, and Grow: Young Farmer Bootstraps Road to Agriculture
Shake, Rattle, and Grow: Young Farmer Bootstraps Road to Agriculture

Cason Anderson, 18, had no acres, few connections, and no equipment, but gained a farming toehold by scavenging tiny bits of neglected ground. Simply, Anderson picked from below the bottom of the pile.

Saving Our Soil…One Billion Microbes at a Time
Saving Our Soil…One Billion Microbes at a Time

Soil is beginning to give up its many secrets on the role played by microbes in promoting sustainable food production.

Dry Conditions Intensify Across Upper Midwest, West
Dry Conditions Intensify Across Upper Midwest, West

Much of the Ohio Valley states, and Iowa to Lower Michigan, had little to no precipitation this past week.

Risks and Rewards with Conservation Tillage, Cover Crops
Risks and Rewards with Conservation Tillage, Cover Crops

Research shows that success with conservation practices is optimized with a targeted, stepwise approach.

Summer-Like Temperatures One Day, Return to Chilly Weather the Next
Summer-Like Temperatures One Day, Return to Chilly Weather the Next

Meteorologist Matt Engelbrecht shows us why parts of the country will soon be experiencing chillier conditions.

I-80 Planting Tour: Ohio Farmers Dodge Snow and Cold Weather
I-80 Planting Tour: Ohio Farmers Dodge Snow and Cold Weather

After several years of challenging weather, Ohio farmers are dodging snow and cold temperatures to put corn and soybeans in the ground. According to USDA, roughly 8% of those crops are now planted.

Glyphosate, Glufosinate Shortage Today; Are Fungicides and Insecticides Next?
Glyphosate, Glufosinate Shortage Today; Are Fungicides and Insecticides Next?

As farmers work to get the 2021 crop in the ground, some inputs are facing severe strains. While glyphosate and glufosinate are in short supply today, one retailer says fungicides and insecticides are next.

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Vilsack Goes on Offense Re: Errant Meat Consumption Reports

Secretary Vilsack flatly denied there is any effort by President Biden to reduce meat consumption to meet proposed cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. "Sometimes in the political world, games get played," he said.

Planting Progress: Soybeans Ahead of Five-Year Average While Corn Lags Behind
Planting Progress: Soybeans Ahead of Five-Year Average While Corn Lags Behind

While corn and soybean prices continue to march higher, farmers are making progress getting the 2021 corn, soybean and cotton crops in the ground.

Ken Barham Named Nufarm's Vice President of Crop Protection Sales

"Ken's consistent customer focus and knowledge of the crop protection market landscape will ensure the success of this integral role," said Brendan Deck, Nufarm's General Manager - North America.

Ag Groups: Biden Misses the Mark with 30x30 Plan
Ag Groups: Biden Misses the Mark with 30x30 Plan

Ryan Yates, managing director of public policy for the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), says while the plan sounds simple, there are still a lot more questions than answers regarding what the plan truly means.

Manufacturers Explain Supply Challenges In Crop Protection
Manufacturers Explain Supply Challenges In Crop Protection

“We’ve seen this building for many months. And this overall situation will likely last into the 2022 crop year,” says Adam Hensley with Helm.

Terminating Cover Crops This Spring? You Might Need Options To Glyphosate
Terminating Cover Crops This Spring? You Might Need Options To Glyphosate

Farmers will need to take into consideration the cover crop, timing, weather and stage of growth, says an Ohio seedsman.

Field Work: The Magical Dividing Line Between Counties
Field Work: The Magical Dividing Line Between Counties

Researchers try to tease out what makes some areas more inclined to plant cover crops.

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Bayer Says Mexican Judge Rules in its Favor Over Glyphosate Ban

A Mexican judge has sided with Bayer in a legal challenge over a government policy that seeks to ban glyphosate, in a temporary reprieve from a looming ban on the widely-used herbicide.

USDA to Open CRP Enrollment With Higher Payment Rates, New Incentives 
USDA to Open CRP Enrollment With Higher Payment Rates, New Incentives 

USDA will open CRP enrollment with higher payment rates, new incentives and a more targeted focus on the program’s role in climate change mitigation.

View From The Top: Anne Alonzo, Corteva Agriscience Senior Vice President, External Affairs and Chief Sustainability Officer
View From The Top: Anne Alonzo, Corteva Agriscience Senior Vice President, External Affairs and Chief Sustainability Officer

Alonzo fills two leadership roles for the company, including its strategy and sustainability efforts, both on a global scale.

Biden Taps Climate Proponent to Lead USDA's Farm Production and Conservation Programs
Biden Taps Climate Proponent to Lead USDA's Farm Production and Conservation Programs

President Biden continues to affirm the administration's focus on climate. A key USDA nomination this week showcased just how important of a role agriculture will play when it comes to the environment.

Magro Resigns, Schmidt Takes the Reins At Nutrien
Magro Resigns, Schmidt Takes the Reins At Nutrien

The Nutrien board of directors has appointed Mayo Schmidt as President and Chief Executive Officer.

USDA's Crop Progress Report Shows Slow Start to Soybean Planting in the South
USDA's Crop Progress Report Shows Slow Start to Soybean Planting in the South

USDA’s weekly Crop Progress Report started tallying soybean planting progress. In the first report of the year to include soybeans, USDA showed 3% of the soybean crop is planted, one point ahead of average.

Brandt Adds Technical Agronomist, Bolsters Retail Advisory Services
Brandt Adds Technical Agronomist, Bolsters Retail Advisory Services

Research agronomist will bring experience & insights to Brandt Agronomic Services customers

Ferrie: In Cold Temps, Delay Planting Soybeans That Aren’t SDS Protected
Ferrie: In Cold Temps, Delay Planting Soybeans That Aren’t SDS Protected

If your weather conditions are tanking, consider answering two important questions Ken Ferrie asks before you head to the field.

Some Snow and Rain Now, But How do the Next 30 Days Look?
Some Snow and Rain Now, But How do the Next 30 Days Look?

Meteorologist Mike Hoffman is looking ahead to the next 30 days.

Three Big Trends in the Carbon Marketplace
Three Big Trends in the Carbon Marketplace

Farmers have more questions than answers as they evaluate current opportunities, but there are several things that are coming into focus.

Online Options: Annual Mandatory Dicamba Application Training
Online Options: Annual Mandatory Dicamba Application Training

Certified applicators must participate in training before applying these products in 2021.

U.S. Ag Groups Voice Renewed Interest in Joining Revised Trans-Pacific Partnership
U.S. Ag Groups Voice Renewed Interest in Joining Revised Trans-Pacific Partnership

Some agricultural groups would like the newly-installed U.S. Trade Representative to reconsider some previous trade deals. That includes joining what was formerly known as the Trans Pacific Partnership. 

Land Grab or Climate Solution? President Biden Could Unveil '30 by 30' Plan Details Next Week
Land Grab or Climate Solution? President Biden Could Unveil '30 by 30' Plan Details Next Week

Details of a U.S. land and water related executive order could be unveiled soon. Known as the ’30 by 30’ plan, it would place 30% of U.S. lands and 30% of U.S. waters under federal jurisdiction by 2030.

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100 Years of Ag Aviation

August 3, 2021 marks the 100th anniversary of an experiment in Ohio when lead arsenate dust was spread over catalpa trees to kill sphinx moth larvae