|
|
Potash Market Draws Interest from Investors
Skyrocketing demand for fertilizer has affected
retailers and farmers in recent years as they have had to deal with much higher
prices and limited supplies.
The trend of booming demand for fertilizer now
seems to have captured the attention of investors as well.
Shares of
Intrepid Potash Inc.,
the largest producer of potash in the U.S., jumped 57 percent last week in the
company’s initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange, the Wall
Street Journal reported.
The
--More
NPPC Urges USDA to Address Pork Industry Crisis
Pork producers, who are losing an estimated $30
to $50 per hog, called on USDA to take steps that would address what the
National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) calls an “industry economic crisis.”
NPPC leaders in a recent meeting with Ag
Secretary Ed Schafer requested USDA purchase an additional 50.5 million pounds
of pork for various federal food programs.
USDA this week
responded to that request, announcing plans to purchase as much as $50 million
of pork products for donation
--More
Alfalfa Quality Good Despite Pest, Weather Issues
Alfalfa quality looks good so far this spring
despite some pest and weather issues around the state, according to Dave
Fischer, University of Illinois Extension dairy educator.
"So far it looks good," Fischer said. "The (cold
and wet) weather has been tough, but once we catch four or five days of
sunshine, I'm sure we'll see a lot of (harvest) activity."
The state's alfalfa crop last week was rated 87
percent fair or good, 6 percent excellent, and just 7 percent poor or very poor,
--More
|
Struggling Scott SWCD to close doors May 2
A
freeze on state ag funding has taken its toll on the Scott County Soil and
Water Conservation District (SWCD), which plans to close May 2. Last
week, the county SWCD board
--More
Premises ID numbers not required for 2008 fair livestock exhibitors
Livestock
exhibitors will not need a premises identification number to show in 2008
Illinois 4-H, FFA, and county fairs and the Illinois State Fair, according to
an Illinois Department of
--More
House rejects governor's proposal to reorganize agencies, authorities
The
Illinois House last week rejected Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s proposal to combine
parts of about 20 state agencies and authorities. His plan also is meeting
opposition in the Senate.
--More
Ag groups speak against state funding cuts
Two
young 4-H members afraid they won’t have opportunities to learn; a farmer
concerned about the future of soil and water conservation; a 30-year Extension
employee not sure if she would
--More
Study finds flavored milk beneficial to children's diets
The
consumption of milk in any form, whether it’s 2 percent, skim, or flavored, is
more beneficial to children’s diets than drinking no milk at all, according to
a recent study.
--More
Renewable fuels development faces climate, drought threats
With growing
world pressure to curb corn-based biofuels growth, ag groups are concerned
about a possible administration effort to curb long-term ethanol mandates. The Bush
administration last week
--More
House action doesn't mean Colombia vote out
Taking the
Colombian free trade agreement (FTA) off the clock doesn’t mean the deal is off
the table, National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) trade specialist Danita
Murray emphasized
--More
State, local officials wary of regulatory consequences
State
and local officials fear expanded federal oversight of ditches and prairie
potholes could create a dangerously slippery slope for farmers and communities
alike. A wide
range
--More
Soy cancer research continues around globe
While Northwestern University mouse trials suggest a soy-healthy diet might prevent
prostate cancer, soyfoods advocates such as Nancy Chapman are more eager to see
results in
--More
Schafer: More corn acres could ease pressure
Ag
Secretary Ed Schafer acknowledged last week “the global food situation is a
very real problem” and he believes American farmers will respond. Schafer
last week during a visit to
--More
Dietician: Don't cut milk from diet
Reducing or
even eliminating milk from the diet is not a good answer to rising dairy
prices, according to a registered dietician. Jennifer
DeHoog of the St. Louis District Dairy Council
--More
Loss of technology could drive up milk prices
Large food
retailers such as Wal-Mart and Kroger recently began purchasing milk produced
only from cows not treated with recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST) because
of reported consumer
--More
Reopening of Korean market may bolster prices
U.S. cattle producers, who have been hit hard with higher
feed and energy costs, late last week received a potential double-dose of good
news. U.S.
Trade Representative Susan
--More
State to update natural areas data, landowners' permission needed
Illinois plans to update a 30-year-old
inventory of natural areas across the state; however, landowners’ permission
will be required for assessment to be done on private property, according
--More
Demand for fertilizer could keep pressure on prices
Illinois farmers this season should be able
to source potash and phosphate despite increased global demand for fertilizer. However,
prices for many fertilizer products likely will
--More
Renewable fuels help improve profitability
By
Mark DehnerEach day we
are inundated with stories about energy. It’s a front-of-mind issue, which puts
it on the front page of newspapers, at the top of radio and television
broadcasts, and on
--More
Perspective -- Things with lost of legs
Each year, many residents notice the “curled-up
remains of insect-like critters with lots of legs.” Each year, they ask the
same question about these insects: “Can they hurt plants in the
--More
|
| |
About FarmWeek / Contact
Us 
