|
Crop estimates change
The recent crop acreage report released by the Agriculture Department’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) finds that U.S. farmers planted 87.3 million acres of corn this spring, despite considerable weather challenges. That estimate is up about 1.3 million acres from what was reported in March. “The one challenge we have with these crops is we only have a once-a-year chance to produce them and so that’s what causes concern, particularly the corn crop, which the majority is grown in the Northern Hemisphere,” said Terry Francl, a senior economist with the American Farm Bureau. “The United States is the biggest producer of corn. So we’re kind of it as far as corn. Soybeans and wheat, it’s a little different story.” |
Manure spreading allowed on some CRP land
The Farm Service Agency will allow livestock farmers who suffered severe flooding damages to spread manure on Conservation Reserve Program land as part of the recovery effort, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said. The exception is limited to areas that the state FSA committee determines to have suffered from severe flooding. Farmers should check with county FSA offices for details. Earlier, the FSA said it would permit farmers in 26 Iowa counties to move their livestock to CRP land without penalty and without a reduction in payments until July 27. |