Monthly Round-up: Agriculture, Irrigation, Farming News For November 2015

Happy Thanksgiving! As November continues cooling down farm life, agriculture has had a busy month as the harvest starts winding down. From record-breaking yields and Consumer Reports to new ethanol grain options and market predictions, here’s your summary of the month’s news and how it affects agriculture:

108 Bushel Yield Breaks Record As part of the Illinois Soybean Association’s 100-Bushel Yield Challenge earlier this year, father and son team Robert and Jason Lakely produced 108 bushels of Asgrow’s AG4135 soybeans, winning the contest’s $5,000 prize. The pair used a 20″ row to allow for air flow while still getting a good canopy that helped block weeds and checked crop health and conditions every 2-3 weeks. Other growers in the challenge saw 80- to 90-bushel yields.
USDA Awards $200 Million to Promote Farm Products As part of an initiative to grow overseas markets for US farm products, the USDA has announced $200 million to promote farm products overseas. The first program provides $172.8 million to the Market Access Program to 62 non-profit groups and coops with activities such as market research, technical assistance and trade fair support. The Foreign Market Development Program is receiving $27.5 million to trade organizations representing US agricultural concerns.
2016 Market Predictions Market outlooks for 2016 are being forecast, with milk and hay continuing to rise while cotton, peanuts and rice still remain questionable in terms of which direction the market will take. The soybean market is expected to perform based on China’s economic situation after a 3rd quarter growth slowdown of 6.9% and the value of currency exchange rates against China and Brazil.
Competition for Corn as Premier Ethanol Grain Milo, or grain sorghum, produces as much ethanol per bushel as corn, but requires a third less water in processing and can also be used for feed. After a block of US corn trade with China a few years ago and a sharp increase in that market’s interest in sorghum, the grain crop went into high production. With demand tapering off, ethanol plants are looking at using the excess grain in biofuel production.
South Carolina’s Ag Triple Threat A late frost and summer drought have combined with flooding to continue pounding South Carolina farmers. Initial loss estimates were near $300 million, but recent flooding has nearly doubled that figure to $587 million in losses, a hard hit for the state’s biggest industry.
New Corn Rootworm Options En Route Monsanto has received approval for their new RNA-based genetic trait that helps expand Bt’s pest-resistant properties into the root zone to better deal with corn rootworms.
Consumer Reports Bashes Antibiotic Use A recent issue of Consumer Reports bashing the use of antibiotics in meat industries raised strong response by the National Pork Producer’s Council. Due to the increased public interest in antibiotic- and hormone-free meats, does this signal a change in farming techniques?

With the holidays on the horizon, it’s time to turn on the heat lamps, close up the machine shed and get ready for some great eating. Tune in next month to see what December has brought to the farming world.