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Unrelenting inflation continues to weigh down the U.S. economy and agriculture. Still, CoBank says it believes the Fed will stick with its decision to cut interest rates three times in 2024.

Strategy can be more effective than cutting costs

USDA reports 3% of the country’s soybean crop is in the ground, the same as this time last year but two points ahead of the average pace. In all 10 states are reporting progress, and planting is ahead of average.

The U.S. Drought Monitor shows drought coverage is now at its lowest level since spring of 2020, but USDA’s topsoil moisture map shows it’s still extremely dry in areas of the west and too wet in the east.

Paul Bonnett joined Nutrien Ag Solutions in 2019 as senior director of agronomic solutions. He leads the company’s agronomy and environmental sciences efforts across North America and also manages Waypoint Analytical.

Gingko Bioworks announced its acquisition of platform assets from AgBioime, which includes over 115,000 fully sequenced and isolated strains, over 500 million unique gene sequences

In early April, the companies confirmed they have discontinued discussions of potential synergies and opportunities.

It’s a tale of two extremes this year. Some farmers report they can’t find soil moisture to plant into, while others are struggling just to get into their fields. Agronomist Ken Ferrie weighs in on both scenarios.

Along with too much moisture, high numbers of corn flea beetles are posing an early-season concern. Ferrie advises checking your Stewart’s wilt bacteria rating on hybrids. There’s no treatment option for infected corn.