Crop farmers have stayed afloat because of government programs.
The $16 billion in CFAP (Coronavirus Food Assistance Program) funding comes from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC).
The USDA estimates for CFAP distribution include cattle receiving the most funding, followed by nonspecialty crops, ...
Most businesses were doing well before the coronavirus. Agriculture was not.
COVID-19 is just the latest in a string of misfortunes that have kept the farm economy down for several years: weather disasters, a trade war and even before that, commodity prices have been below the cost of production.
“None of us ...
Scott Newport, Farm Business Farm Management Specialist
Last year’s crop year was plagued by record precipitation leaving idle corn acres.
The 2019 growing season was unprecedented in terms of the number of prevent plant acres and late planted crops. About 50,000 acres in DeKalb County were not planted in 2019. Most of ...
Sales of ag commodities could pick up whenever social distancing measures and business restrictions driven by the threat of the Coronavirus pandemic ease.
But it may not be enough to bring farm returns back to pre-COVID-19 expectations for 2020.
Rob Johansson, USDA chief economist, discussed the economic impact of the pandemic during ...
“The crop that’s in the bin is a perfect setup for accidents,” says Dave Altepeter.
“Last year’s crop was not mature and there were fines in the
corn. Because of the fines, there’s a chance the grain can go out of
condition,” he said.
Dave Altepeter has nearly 40 years of experience ...
Serving all of DeKalb County, the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System
(MABAS) Division 6 Technical Rescue Team is equipped with grain rescue tubes
and has used them in rescues and recoveries.
Some of the Technical Rescue Team members who have assisted with grain bin rescues are (from left) Captain Todd Stoffa, ...
Safeguard against running augers.
Lockout Tagout (LOTO) is a safety practice that protects farm
employees from moving parts in grain bins.
A padlock and a danger tag prevent uncontrolled electricity
from machines or equipment. When potentially hazardous equipment is identified
for maintenance, it should be placed on LOTO which includes adding a visual
lock and tag ...
Last year’s crop continues to plaque farmers with grain storage problems at area farms.
Farmers put grain in their storage bins last fall dealing
with higher than normal moisture levels, partly because of the late maturing
crop and lack of in-field drying.
Vickie Hernan-Faivre monitors the grain being stored at JP Faivre ...
Grain entrapment is on the rise across the Midwest and it hit close to home when a DeKalb County farmer tragically lost his life in his grain bin.
Flowing grain is like quicksand.
In four seconds you can be knee-deep in grain. Total grain engulfment takes a
mere 20 seconds.
Genoa farmer engulfed in ...
State statistician will explain numbers for the benefit of farmers
When the USDA released crop numbers last fall farmers were perplexed. Numbers indicated that Midwest corn harvest was complete in late November, when in all actuality some local farmers were still chipping away at harvest in December.
Farm Bureau promptly questioned the ...
