The idea for the experiments came from the shortage of hay in the Nebraska Panhandle after the winter of 2011, which was only exacerbated by last year’s drought. With beef producers searching for alternatives to high-priced alfalfa, the researchers knew that wet byproducts mixed with wheat straw made a good fit.

Many regions’ pastures and rangelands are seeing dry soils as well as disappointing forecasts with little moisture predicted. These dry field conditions have led to weak plants in pastures, according to Bruce Anderson, UNL Extension forage specialist..

“I know it sounds counterintuitive, but it comes down to weather in June and July,” USDA ag meteorologist Brad Rippey said when attendees questioned USDA’s optimistic yield forecast. “History shows that even in the wake of the drought of 1988, it seems to be late spring and summer weather that determines the outcome for row crops.

If Congress fails to head off the approaching sequestration cuts and USDA is forced to furlough meat inspectors, John Harrington’s “Plan B” suggestion is to use members of Congress—such as Reps. Nancy Pelosi and John Boehner—as substitute meat inspectors.

Holding company Seven & I Holdings imported 3 tons of meat from U.S. cattle aged up to 30 months for sale at its Ito-Yokado and York-Benimaru supermarket chains. Three Ito-Yokado stores in Tokyo started sales Feb.

Nearly 300 weed scientists from 33 countries are Down Under last week, digging into the science of herbicide resistance. Stephen Powles, Australian Herbicide Resistance Initiative (AHRI) director, told DTN in an interview that the evolution of herbicide resistance in weeds poses a real threat to global food production and security.

Portions of a proposed CFTC rule to enhance the protection of customers’ margin funds could make hedging prohibitively expensive for farmers and ranchers and the small- to mid-sized futures commission merchants that serve them, industry representatives fear.

Optimists have contended that the surge in farm net worth will cushion any blow should land values correct any time soon. Some economists believe farmland owners may feel the fall, but they won’t take farm banks down with them like they did in the 1980s.

In wide-ranging comments after his speech on the sequestration and the prospects for a new farm bill, Vilsack said the sequestration, an across-the-board cut in government spending set to go into effect on March 1 if Congress does not change it,...

In Washington, the president laid out a liberal-oriented agenda that included proposing to raise the minimum wage, emphasizing the need to address climate change and promote clean energy. The president advocated spending on infrastructure and education and passing immigration reform.