Archives for March 2008
March 31, 2008
Darrel Good on the March USDA Reports
Darrel Good, Extension Ag Economist – University of Illinois
Darrel Good discusses the impact of the USDA reports released in March: Prospective Plantings, Cattle On Feed, Quarterly Hogs & Pigs
March 28, 2008
Cloning Animals Works, But Not Well
Matt Wheeler, University of Illinois Animal Sciences
Earlier this year (2008) US FDA approved cloned animals for use in the food system. But, as Todd Gleason reports, the efficiency of making clones is not and probably won't ever be good enough for it to be adopted throughout the livestock production system.
March 21, 2008
Orange Corn Rich in Vitamin A
Torbert Rocheford, Plant Genetics – University of Illinois Crop Sciences
It only seems natural that the University of Illinois would deliver orange corn. After all the school colors are orange and blue. But the plant breeding and reasons for developing the corn are the real story. And as Todd Gleason reports they get a Vitamin A!
March 21, 2008
E is for Ethanol and Exports
Bob Thompson, University of Illinois Ag Policy
Ethanol is the agricultural word of the decade. After 9-11 Washington quickly turned its attention to energy security and measures began working their way through congress to spark increased supplies of homegrown fuels. Todd Gleason files this report on how that new reliance is changing the agricultural economy.
March 21, 2008
US EPA Reassesses Hypoxia Zone
Mark David, Professor Bio Geo Chemistry
The United States Environmental Protection Agency has completed a reassessment of the hypoxia zone in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Todd Gleason has more from the University of Illinois on its findings and how they relate to the cornbelt.
March 21, 2008
Spring Has Arrived and So Has U of I Crop Production Info
Spring has officially arrived, and it heralds, among many things, the return of the University of Illinois pest management crop development and protection bulletin. Todd Gleason has more on the first few articles for the Midwestern growing season.
http://www.ipm.uiuc.edu/bulletin/
March 21, 2008
Transgenic Crops Provide Significant Positives & Cautionary Approach
Mike Gray, Entomologist - University of Illinois
Genes are being stacked higher in the corn plant. Todd Gleason has more on how one Land Grant scientist sees the positives and negatives of relying on transgenic technology.
March 14, 2008
High Commodity Prices Ease WTO Negotiations
Bob Thompson, University of Illinois Ag Policy
The high price of commodities should make it easier to cut a deal on the world stage. Todd Gleason has this view on the WTO negotiation sform the University of Illinois.
March 14, 2008
The Illinois Grain Code
Don Uchtmann, Ag Law Specialist - University of Illinois
High commodity prices have lead to some interesting financial strains on agriculture. As Todd Gleason reports one recentdevelopment is passing new risk on to the farmer and causing them to question the health of the grain handling industry.
March 14, 2008
What Happens if Congress Cannot Pass a Farm Bill
Bob Thompson, University of Illinois Ag Policy
Congress has extended the 2002 version of the Farm Bill until the 18th of April. But what happens if Washington fails to update that legislation?
March 14, 2008
Weather, Not Technology, Is the Primary Driver for Good Yields
Scott Irwin, Agricultural Economist – University of Illinois
Data pushers at the University of Illinois having been looking for the impact of biotechnology on corn and soybean yields. As Todd Gleason reports, the numbers say it isn’t there.
March 14, 2008
Interactive Sustainable Agriculture Website Created
Michelle Wander, Soil Fertility – University of Illinois
The University of Illinois Agroecology / Sustainable Agriculture Program (ASAP) has been active for almost 20 years. Recently the program has created an interactive website. As Todd Gleason reports it is hoped the site will foster dialogue and sharing of information on sustainability.
http://asap.sustainability.uiuc.edu/
March 7, 2008
Market Volatility Pushes Crop Insurance Premiums Higher
Gary Schnitkey, Farm Management Specialist – University of Illinois
The numbers are in, and the high prices in Chicago for corn and soybeans mean farmers are paying more to buy crop insurance. Todd Gleason has more on the base prices and the volatility.
March 7, 2008
Historical Background for Basis Only Contracts
Kendell Keith, President National Grain & Feed Association
Some farmers in the Midwest are fast coming to the realization that with higher prices comes higher risk. As Todd Gleason reports elevators have already begun to transfer some risk to producers wanting to make sales for the coming crops.
March 3, 2008
An Amended Crop Insurance Marketing Plan
Darrel Good, Extension Ag Economist – University of Illinois
The University of Illinois ag economists have amended their marketing plan for corn and soybeans just a bit. As Todd Gleason reports the high prices early in this month have put more cash on the table, and consequently more risk.
March 3, 2008
Crop Insurance Recommendations
Gary Schnitkey, Farm Management Specialist – University of Illinois
Farmers looking for a little help making crop insurance decisions by March 15 can find it on the web. Todd Gleason has more on the University of Illinois FarmDOC online crop insurance calculators.
March 3, 2008
The Pressure is On to Produce Big in 2008
Darrel Good, Extension Ag Economist – University of Illinois
Demand for US corn, soybean, and wheat has remained strong despite skyrocketing commodity prices. Todd Gleason has more on why this means farmers will be under pressure to produce big crops this season.
