“We, as an agency, have tremendous opportunity and responsibility to mitigate climate change and increase the resiliency of production systems to extreme weather events so we can enhance sustainability of our food production systems,” Honeycutt said..

One of the coolest springs on records has delayed most producers across the Midwest from getting in the field. Typically, 42 percent of the corn in southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois is planted by the first week in May. This year, only 5 percent of the planting had occurred by May 3.

Buoyed by positive sales results and a more optimistic outlook among restaurant operators, the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Performance Index (RPI) rose above 100 in March. The RPI—a monthly composite index that tracks the health of and outlook for the U.

While corn and soybeans might get the limelight attention most of the time, don’t overlook the potential of small grains. Able to be sown in corner or small fields, they can be important, if overlooked, feed grains. Small grains can make for good silage, but keep in mind their planting needs.

While corn and soybeans might get the limelight attention most of the time, don’t overlook the potential of small grains. Able to be sown in corner or small fields, they can be important, if overlooked, feed grains. Small grains can make for good silage, but keep in mind their planting needs.

March exports of U.S. beef were down in volume from a year ago but edged slightly higher in value, while pork exports slumped on lower results in several mainstay markets. According to statistics released by USDA and compiled by the U.S.

Choice boxed beef reached record levels above $200/cwt. last week, with fed cattle prices not far behind. The late spring rally comes after boxed beef and fed markets appeared to have topped in March.

With the popularity of farmers markets has come the growth of farmshares or CSAs. CSAs—the common shorthand for “Community Supported Agriculture”—are a form of direct marketing system. While CSAs are largely produce-oriented, there is a growing movement towards meat CSAs.

“Late-spring snow, cold rain and sleet storms have moved across parts of the northern Plains, and have coincided with peak calving and lambing seasons,” says Karl Hoppe, NDSU Extension Service area livestock specialist at the Carrington Extension Research Center.

Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet announced last week that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated five Colorado counties in southern Colorado as primary disaster areas due to recent drought conditions. The designations make farmers and ranchers eligible for assistance from the Farm Service Agency.