Southeast Farm Press

Virginia thrips management tools holding up

Fri, 25 May 2012 12:58:00 +0000

Much was made earlier in the spring about heavier than usual flights of thrips moths.

Soil, plant tissue tests: If it ain't broke, don't fix it

Fri, 25 May 2012 11:50:00 +0000

By Susan Jongeneel, University of Illinois

Assistant professor of crop sciences Fabian Fernandez thinks that, in the last few years, there has been a trend toward more micronutrient testing in the soil as well as in plant tissues.

NOAA predicts near-normal Atlantic hurricane season

Fri, 25 May 2012 11:37:00 +0000

From the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration

Conditions in the atmosphere and the ocean favor a near-normal hurricane season in the Atlantic Basin this season.

USDA may alter crop reporting schedules due to trading hours changes

Fri, 25 May 2012 11:19:00 +0000

From the National Association of Wheat Growers

USDA officials are considering how or if to change the Department’s crop progress reporting schedule following expansion of trading hours by major commodity exchanges.   

Several insect species can injure or destroy seedling corn

Fri, 25 May 2012 11:07:00 +0000

By Dominic Reisig, North Carolina Extension Entomologist

Sometimes it can be hard to tell what insect pest has injured your seedling corn.

What’s happened to bipartisanship in Congress?

Thu, 24 May 2012 18:43:00 +0000

The approval ratings for the U.S. Congress have sunk to new lows in recent months as both chambers seem to find it harder and harder to pass legislation. Former Congressman Tom Davis says there are several reasons for this, including a widening of the gap between liberals and conservative members. Davis talked about how government does or doesn’t work at this year’s Delta Council annual meeting in Cleveland, Miss.

Hints about farm bill timing abound, but no confirmation

Thu, 24 May 2012 17:01:00 +0000

From the National Association of Wheat Growers

Ag media is buzzing with hints about timing for farm bill consideration on the Senate floor and in the House Agriculture Committee, though Congressional agricultural leaders have announced no official dates.

Dust can reduce effectiveness of postemerge herbicides

Thu, 24 May 2012 16:48:00 +0000

Glyphosate of particular concern

By Susan Jongeneel, University of Illinois

Dry soil conditions across much of Illinois have contributed both to accelerated crop planting and to spraying with postemergence herbicides.

Why are corn yields declining in Virginia?

Thu, 24 May 2012 12:15:00 +0000

There is no doubt corn yields across America have gone up over the past 50-60 years.

Farm Press Blog

Does time of day influence pigweed control?

Thu, 24 May 2012 11:44:00 +0000

By Matthew Wiggins, University of Tennessee Graduate Research Assistant

Does time of day have an influence on how well Liberty herbicide controls Palmer amaranth?

North Carolina soybean growers brace for kudzu bug

Thu, 24 May 2012 11:13:00 +0000

By Natalie Hampton, North Carolina State University

Homeowners and soybean growers in North Carolina are in for a surprise this year, as kudzu bugs continue their march across the Southeast.

Rotation, innovation critical for South Carolina grower

Thu, 24 May 2012 10:40:00 +0000

Whether it be driving to nearby Myrtle Beach in his 1960s vintage Ford Galaxy convertible or planting crops on his Bennettsvillle, S.C., farm, Frankie Hinson has always done things a little differently than most folks and often getting surprising results.

Southern corn rust alert issued

Wed, 23 May 2012 17:46:00 +0000

By Paul Vincelli, University of Kentucky

Southern corn rust has become an increasing concern for corn production in the U.S. in the past few years.

Fuel prices expected to remain stable during summer

Wed, 23 May 2012 17:24:00 +0000

Growers debate locking in supply for harvest season

By Jessica Merzdorf, Purdue University

Diesel fuel and gasoline prices this summer could hold relatively steady provided that an already-tense Middle East doesn't flare up and nothing else happens to disrupt supplies.

Technology can increase farmers market sales

Wed, 23 May 2012 11:23:00 +0000

By Eddie McGriff, Extension Agent, Coffee County, Ga.

I thought this would be a great technology to help farmers who sell directly to consumers increase their sales.

Senate farm bill leaves protection gaps

Wed, 23 May 2012 11:05:00 +0000

If U.S. farmers believe commodity prices will stay strong for the next five years, the Senate’s farm bill proposal could be a good choice, say Texas AgriLife Extension economists.

North Carolina strawberry harvest early this year

Wed, 23 May 2012 10:27:00 +0000

By Chris Bickers, Contributing Writer

An exceptionally warm winter, a warm spring and few heavy rains in either season all contributed to a very early start of strawberry harvest in North Carolina.

Ethanol study points to major savings at the gas pump

Tue, 22 May 2012 17:43:00 +0000

Several years ago, a study produced by Iowa State University’s Center for Agricultural and Rural Development found that, between 2000 and 2010, the benefits of ethanol included reducing U.S. wholesale gasoline prices by nearly 28 cents per gallon nationwide.

North Carolina farmers should know rules before burning ag debris

Tue, 22 May 2012 17:11:00 +0000

From the North Carolina Department of Agriculture

Farmers should review open burning laws before burning off crop residue to ensure they stay in compliance with state air quality rules.

U.S. corn planting nears completion for 2012

Tue, 22 May 2012 11:39:00 +0000

Huge crop looks promising

From the National Corn Growers Association

The 2012 planting season is almost over, with 96 percent of U.S. corn acres already planted, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture report released Monday, May 21.

Farmers, ranchers face skin cancer risk

Tue, 22 May 2012 10:54:00 +0000

May 25 designated 'don't fry day'

From the American Farm Bureau Federation

To encourage sun safety awareness and remind everyone to protect their skin while outdoors, the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention has declared May 25 — the Friday before Memorial Day — as “Don’t Fry Day.”

Waterkeeper Alliance — don’t ask, just litigate

Mon, 21 May 2012 17:57:00 +0000

When the Waterkeeper Alliance decides to make an example of you, they don’t let truth get in the way of their efforts. They take you to court and hope legal bills drive you into bankruptcy.

Farm Press Blog

Tank-mixes offer pigweed, horseweed burndown options after wheat harvest

Mon, 21 May 2012 17:36:00 +0000

By Larry Steckel, Tennessee Extension Weed Specialist

Wheat harvest started last week and will be wide open this week of May 21st.

U.S. ag tire market gets a new entry with European flair

Mon, 21 May 2012 12:03:00 +0000

Rising sales of U.S. farm equipment has increased the demand for ag tires. A company that has been around in Europe for decades has decided to step into that market with a new plant in Charles City, Iowa. Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad and Mitas CEO Jaroslav Cechura discussed the new entry at a grand opening ceremony for the $52 million plant.

North Carolina thrips populations ‘all over the map’

Mon, 21 May 2012 11:45:00 +0000

By Jack Bacheler, North Carolina Extension Entomologist

Depending on location, planting date and moisture level, thrips populations and their threat to cotton was all over the map last week.

Soybean growers facing kudzu bug control decisions in May

Mon, 21 May 2012 11:15:00 +0000

A lot of unknowns involved

By Dominic Reisig, North Carolina Extension Entomologist

Since the kudzu bug showed up on soybeans in Georgia, South Carolina and parts of our state in 2010-2011, there has not been a reported infestation on a commercially planted soybean field until the first generation kudzu bug adults have developed.

Fire can increase your land’s natural resource value

Fri, 18 May 2012 18:25:00 +0000

Searching for a cost-effective management tool to increase the natural resource value of your property? Get back to basics with one of the earliest methods used by nature and man — fire.

Farm Press Blog

New technologies available for boosting dairy cow fertility

Fri, 18 May 2012 15:32:00 +0000

From Ohio State University

Increasing the reproductive efficiency of dairy cattle by getting the highest possible number of cows pregnant in the same period of time has always been a challenge for the industry.

NCC urges House ag committee to include STAX in farm bill

Fri, 18 May 2012 14:43:00 +0000

From the National Cotton Council

The National Cotton Council looks forward to working with the House Agriculture Committee on development of a 2012 farm bill that effectively meets U.S. cotton producers' risk management needs.  

One of the fastest deals ever: A new $6.5 million cotton gin in east Mississippi

Fri, 18 May 2012 11:52:00 +0000

Eleven days — that’s all it took for a group of east Mississippi cotton growers to go from talking stage to a signed, sealed, and financed deal to build a spanking new $6.5 million state of the art cotton gin in Noxubee County.