Ag News

A turkey hunting expert from Minnesota says the early season can be a fun time to hunt turkeys. Shane Simpson tells Brownfield there are several things to focus on when hunting gobblers during the first few days of the season. Listen to his tips and advice on this week’s episode of Outdoor Adventures below. AUDIO: Brownfield’s Outdoor Adventures 3-25-2023 with guest Shane Simpson …

The rotary parlor at Kinnard Farms A Wisconsin farm that sued the state’s Department of Natural Resources over additional water quality testing has decided to settle the case instead of fully pursuing a court decision. Kinnard Farms near Casco in northeast Wisconsin argued it should not be required to conduct additional water quality tests near fields where they have spread manure.  The additional requirement in their concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) permit came after the State Supreme Court ruled in favor of the environmental group Clean Wisconsin, which took the DNR to court saying they had the authority to require additional water testing near large farms. …

Wisconsin’s largest and longest-running farm show begins Tuesday. The 61st WPS Farm Show is hosted each year by Wisconsin Public Service, a utility provider for much of Wisconsin, and their We Energies partners at the Experimental Aircraft Association grounds in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Matt Cullen Matt Cullen with WPS tells Brownfield he’s expecting another well-attended show. “We have approximately 400 exhibitors from 19 states and two countries, and some of the things that they are bringing are familiar items that they have seen in years past, like robotic milking equipment and precision planting technology, and the large farm machinery always is a staple of the WPS Farm Show.” Cullen says farmers can expect to see more drone technology at this year’s show. …

Farmers are preparing for a busy spring planting season. Stine Seed director of agronomy Tom Larson says understanding how software technology can lead to greater efficiencies is part of that preparation for many growers. “If there’s updates, the time to install those updates is now. And having those technicians come out and do the practice run across your yard and make sure everything is functioning the way it’s intended.” He tells Brownfield there are usually consequences when farmers wait until the first day of planting. …

The president and CEO of the Corn Refiners Association says the organization would like to see the agriculture bioeconomy addressed in the 2023 Farm Bill. John Bode says CRA is working with other ag groups to promote development of the ag bioeconomy.   “There is so much that can be done to expand our rural economy by building out renewables that can be used to build the space of petrochemicals and a broad array of products and do that with a reduced carbon footprint and generally a really positive sustainability story,” he says. …

South Dakota farmers are expecting spring planting delays due to the cool spring temperatures forecasted and the heavy snowpack. In Mitchell, South Dakota, Chet Edinger says he is hoping to start fieldwork by mid-April, but other farmers are considering a May 1 start. “That’s about two to three weeks late. It’s hard to say, but it’s looking doubtful planting will have a normal timeline at this point.” Volga farmer Scott VanderWal says any changes in planting intentions will wait until closer to the final planting date for corn. …

At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live cattle were higher, and feeders were lower watching corn and unwinding the week’s direct cash business.  April live cattle closed $.85 higher at $163 and June lives closed $.80 higher at $156.60.  April feeders closed $.20 lower at $194.80 and May feeder cattle closed $1.05 lower at $197.55.  It was a quiet Friday for direct cash cattle business.  For the week, Northern dressed deals were at mostly $264 to $265, steady to $1 higher than the prior week’s weighted average basis in Nebraska.  …

May corn closed at $6.43, up 11 and 1/4 centsMay soybeans closed at $14.28 and 1/4, up 8 and 3/4 centsMay soybean meal closed at $445.10, up $6.80May soybean oil closed at 53.27, up 110 pointsMay wheat closed at $6.88 and 1/2, up 26 and 1/2 centsApr. live cattle closed at $163.00, up 85 centsApr. feeder cattle closed at $194.80, down 20 centsApr. …