Corn

Mike Steenhoek, executive director of the Soy Transportation Coalition, says if approved the merger could change the shipping landscape with both winners and losers.
The Midwest has been inundated with rain, heat, oppressive humidity and “corn sweat”. In fact, meteorologist Ryan Maue says the heat index hit 115°F Sunday night in Iowa — and 20°F to 25°F of that was coming from surrounding corn fields.
The industry investigates the agronomic issue finding it can be attributed to many factors including environment, genetics and rapid growth stages.
Despite USDA’s strong corn condition ratings, more agronomists and farmers are reporting pollination problems from what’s being called ‘overly tight tassel wrap,’ an issue that can’t be seen until you walk into your fields.
Got tar spot? Economic data shows two passes can offer ROI, depending on the hybrid. However, if your crop got dinged at pollination that’s a different scenario and might require a revised game plan that takes yield estimates into consideration.
Southern rust has now been confirmed in at least 15 states, and with high heat and humidity this week, along with strong winds, agronomists are encouraging farmers to scout their corn fields, as conditions are ripe for the disease to spread.
More reports of ‘overly tight tassel wrap’ are coming in across the Corn Belt – including from the reigning world champion corn grower. Hula shares how he strategically uses his planter to minimize pollination risks.
Portions of the central Plains, the Upper Midwest and the Mid-Atlantic will be in a heat dome by Tuesday. But first, those regions will see thunderstorms and heavy rains this weekend, according to the National Weather Service.
The industry is seeking clarity after President Trump said Coca-Cola was switching its Coke formula to use cane sugar versus high-fructose corn syrup. If true, the move would benefit U.S. sugar producers at the expense of corn farmers.
Both diseases are showing up earlier this summer than last year, according to Daren Mueller, Iowa State University plant pathologist. He says a new interactive tool from the Crop Protection Network can help farmers locate these diseases, and others, faster.
So far, the problem has been confirmed in four states. Agronomists are encouraging farmers to scout crops, estimate yield impacts in affected fields and determine whether to make adjustments to marketing plans.
This year’s program features all new agronomic content to help farmers grow and harvest high-yielding crops. Two of the key sessions: selecting a corn planter that’s right for your farm, and developing a systems approach to success with early-season soybeans. We look forward to seeing you there!
Farmers and aerial applicators tell Randy Dowdy and David Hula some of the key considerations for effective fungicide applications are timing, droplet size and product reach in the crop canopy.
As big yield estimates are being thrown around so early, it’s stoking an intense debate. However, that’s not stopping the trade chatter. With talk of a new national corn yield record, it’s pressuring prices, with many farmers staring at cash corn with a $3 handle.
Unlike most leaf diseases, tar spot starts impacting the crop at the bottom of plants. That means fungicides you apply must penetrate and get deep into the crop canopy to provide effective treatment. If you opt to not treat the disease, consider making plans to harvest early and pre-booking some dryer gas.
In addition to major tax provisions, the bill enhances the current safety net, providing $66 billion in new spending for farm programs.
That percentage doesn’t tell the complete story, however. While farmers in the West and southeast Texas have endured weeks of dry conditions that’s not been the case in the central Corn Belt where growing conditions have been excellent.
Scott Beck says the family-owned business markets seed corn in 23 states now, with Nebraska ranking fifth in the total volume of seed units sold. Once finalized, this latest acquisition will be the company’s furthest west production facility.
A quick Q&A with CEO Lukas Koch unveils an intriguing new program that hopes to layer disparate ag tech offerings into a systems approach that can drive return-on-investment at the field level.
Corn farming for grain generated an estimated $123 billion in total economic output in 2024, with an estimated contribution of $50 billion to Gross Domestic Product. Find out how your state benefits financially from corn.
The Seilers use cover crops and no-till to improve soil health, reduce input costs and improve profitability.
Hear from the likes of AGCO, Claas, John Deere and others about what each farm equipment manufacturer is planning to invest in its U.S. manufacturing footprint.
David Hula believes a high-quality carrier is so critical to the performance of his crop protection products that he loads and hauls all the water to the local airport that his aerial applicator uses.
The silver lining, meteorologists say, is many farmers and livestock producers in the central and eastern U.S. have had sufficient moisture this spring and milder temperatures headed into summer. For some, that’s about to change.
Iowa corn quality leads the nation currently, with 83% of the state’s crop rated good to excellent. North Dakota is on the struggle bus for both corn and soybeans.
The move would increase biomass-based diesel requirements, from 3.35 billion gallons in 2025 to 5.61 billion gallons in 2026, supporting American row-crop growers in the process.
In some cases, the sulfur deficiency can be traced back to last fall when ammonium sulfate and DAP were taken out of fertilizer programs to reduce costs. In other scenarios, the corn just isn’t getting adequate sulfur — but the problem can be corrected.
Now’s the time to be scouting for the disease, especially where the inoculum is present. Tracking weather data, particularly daily humidity levels, can help you keep an eye on tar spot this season.
Another Chinese researcher has been detained by federal agents for unlawfully shipping roundworms into the U.S. for work she planned to conduct at a University of Michigan laboratory
Mother Nature is throwing a lot of weather curveballs this season. Keep your eye on the ball and score big at harvest with these practical nitrogen management recommendations.
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