News Archives
5% of U.S. corn crop harvested
The 2024 U.S. corn harvest is officially underway.

Mann, Kaptur, colleagues demand U.S. Treasury to prioritize domestic energy producers
U.S. Representatives Tracey Mann (KS-01) and Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) recently led 39 of their colleagues in sending a bipartisan letter to the U.S. Department of Treasury urging it to expedite the issuance of final guidance for the Clean Fuel Production Credit in advance of its January 1 deadline and to restrict the eligibility to renewable fuels made from domestic feedstocks by domestic fuel producers.

RFA, other petitioners file initial brief in lawsuit over EPA's tailpipe standards
In a detailed brief submitted late Friday to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, the Renewable Fuels Association and 55 other parties argued that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency unlawfully exceeded its statutory authority and acted arbitrarily and capriciously by finalizing vehicle tailpipe emissions standards that would essentially phase out liquid-fueled engines and mandate increased production of electric vehicles.

National Farmers Union and USDA announce agreement to strengthen Farm Service Agency county-level operations
National Farmers Union (NFU) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to address staffing levels and improve customer service at USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) county-level offices.

Over 300 groups call on Congress to pass robust farm bill
Citing worsening economic conditions impacting the nation’s farmers, over 300 national and state groups, including the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and its affiliated corn state grower associations, sent a letter to congressional leaders today calling on them to pass the farm bill before year’s end.

Will soybean planting be late for central Brazil?
It hasn't gotten any better. Very dry conditions in central Brazil have been the mainstay for the last several months. Parts of the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil's largest producer of corn and soybeans, have not seen a drop of rain in more than five months.

Agri-Pulse Newsmakers: Sept. 6, 2024
A handful of races will determine which party controls each chamber of Congress. Agri-Pulse journalists spoke with Senate race analyst Jessica Taylor from the Cook Political Report about the probability of Republicans winning the Senate.

Human case of H5N1 confirmed in Missouri
The first human case of H5N1 or avian influenza has been confirmed in Missouri through an influenza surveillance system via the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

Nebraska Extension to showcase future-focused solutions at 2024 Husker Harvest Days
Nebraska Extension is set to participate in the 2024 Husker Harvest Days from September 10-12, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Grand Island, Neb. This year’s event theme, “Forging Nebraska’s Tomorrow,” underscores the organization’s dedication to advancing Nebraska’s agricultural future through innovation, technology, and collaboration.

USDA moderates forecast for losses in 2024 net farm income revisions
USDA forecasts 2024 net farm income 4.4% lower than last year at $140 billion. That's a sharp reversal from USDA's February forecast, which called for a 25% decline in net farm income, the agency's broad way of measuring profits across the various ag sectors.

USDA's Bonnie concerned about solar farms
A USDA official is concerned solar installations will take productive farmland out of production.

Momentum continues for U.S. beef exports; record value to Mexico fuels strong month for pork
Exports of U.S. beef continued to build momentum in July, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Pork exports were also well above year-ago levels in July, led by a value record for shipments to Mexico.

EPA awards $15 million for research of PFAS exposure and reduction in agriculture
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently announced over $15 million in research grant funding to ten institutions for research to reduce per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances exposure from food and protect our farmlands and farming communities.

K-State entomologist to lead $1M effort to expand bee project
The National Science Foundation has awarded more than $1 million to researchers at three U.S. universities to further advance a Kansas State University project that hopes to conserve one of nature's most important pollinators.

With campaign ongoing, Biden touts biggest rural energy investment since FDR
President Joe Biden and his administration are championing new investments in rural energy as the president travels to Wisconsin on Thursday to announce $7.3 billion in rural electric grants and loans.

Allendale yield survey close to USDA projections
A brokerage firm’s survey of farmers shows corn and soybean yields are not much different from USDA’s recent predictions.

Beef industry can reduce emissions by up to 30%
Greenhouse gases resulting from human activity have been the largest driver of climate change since the mid-20th century — especially from agriculture.

MDARD grants $4 million to University of Michigan supporting on-farm soil health research
Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Director Tim Boring on Wednesday announced a $4 million research grant with the University of Michigan (U of M) as part of Governor Whitmer's Healthy Climate Initiative.

Sugar beets begin harvest, but water still necessary for maturing crops
Western Sugar began its early harvest on Monday, Sept. 2, and sugar beets are beginning to pile up in the yard before heading into the factory for slicing and processing.

65% of U.S. corn, soybeans rated good to excellent
U.S. corn and soybean development remains at or ahead of normal. While that follows another week of mixed, but generally favorable, weather in much of the Midwest and Plains, there are some concerns that dry weather in parts of the region could trim yields.

Latest NASS data shows worsening pasture conditions
Many states saw a continued downturn in range and pasture conditions for the week ending Sept. 3, according to the latest data from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service.

SAFFiRE Renewables celebrates groundbreaking of pilot plant supporting sustainable aviation fuel
SAFFiRE Renewables, LLC (SAFFiRE) broke ground on its pilot plant at Conestoga Energy’s Arkalon Energy facility in Liberal, Kansas, marking a significant step in SAFFiRE’s journey to transform corn stover into an abundant low carbon feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

FCC to reignite 5G fund to target investments in rural communities using improved broadband maps
The Federal Communications Commission recently
announced it had adopted new rules to move forward with targeted investments in the
deployment of advanced, 5G mobile wireless broadband services in rural communities.

10 teams vie for $100,000 in Ag Innovation Challenge
Ten start-up companies offering agricultural innovations are now vying for a top prize of $100,000 in the 2025 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge.

Weakening farm income prospects weigh on farmer sentiment
In a sharp turnaround from July, farmer sentiment nose-dived in August.

First field trial for H5N1 cattle vaccine authorized
Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says the USDA will allow field safety trials of H5N1 vaccines in dairy cattle.

IUC issues pipeline permit to Summit Carbon Solutions
The Iowa Utilities Commission (IUC) has found that Summit Carbon Solutions, LLC (Summit Carbon), has substantially complied with the requirements of the IUC’s June 25, 2024, order regarding the company's application for a hazardous liquid pipeline permit and today has issued the permit under Iowa Code chapter 479B to Summit Carbon in Docket No. HLP-2021-0001.

PepsiCo sees biodiesel as sustainability option for trucking fleet
Amid the tractors, implements and seed dealers at the Farm Progress Show, one of the country's biggest food and beverage companies was promoting its use of higher biodiesel blends to haul its products and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.


