The availability of livestock workers was ranked as more limited than crop workers and finding long-term help seen as more difficult than temporary help due to the seasonal nature of the ag industry.
The Office of Investment Security proposed a rule on Friday that would require foreign entities to garner U.S. government approval before they are able to purchase land within 100 miles of eight military bases.
USDA's weekly Crop Progress Report shows 14% of the nation's corn crop and 9% of the soybean crop is planted. Farmers in Missouri and Tennessee are planting at a rapid pace, but the upper Midwest is already behind.
As the market balances its focus between increased planting progress and the reality of saturated soils and more chances of rain and snow in the northern tier of states, commodity prices could sway planting decisions.
“As I understand it, this rule says EPA is going to determine jurisdiction on a case-by-case basis,” says NCBA's Ethan Lane. “This is never the way you want a bureaucracy to interact with your private businesses."
Two to three feet of snow is forecast to fall over parts of the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest this week. Some market watchers are beginning to question if 92 million acres of corn can actually get planted this year.
Based on the National Weather Service North Central River Forecast Center’s latest forecast, there is a 90% chance that the Red River will exceed the major flood stage this spring.
The bad news: there is not much you can do this year to mitigate this disease. The good news: next year, you can take proactive action to lessen the risk.
With nearly half of the soybeans in the U.S. expected to be planted with Roundup Ready 2 Xtend seed, equip your company and sprayer operators with these regulatory changes to avoid off-target damage in 2018.
