Southwest Farm Press

From the e-mailbag: some rebuttals on exporting of U.S. oil and fuels

hbrandon — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:26:55 +0000

“This implies that evil Big Oil will shaft the American consumer no matter what the supply. What do you have to say to those who use the same railings about Big Ag? End users such as livestock feeders blame exports and ethanol production for high feed costs, which then convinces consumers that farmers are getting rich and ripping them off with high food and grocery prices."

Farm Press Blog

Premiums on Trend-Adjusted APH Endorsements

scanon — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:38:07 +0000

Gary Schnitkey and Bruce Sherrick, Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics, University of Illinois

The Trend-Adjusted Actual Production History (TA-APH) allows farmers to increase yields used in calculating guarantees for plans within the COMBO product. For the same guarantee level, farmer-paid premiums will almost always be the same or lower using the TA-APH yield endorsement than without the endorsement.

CAST examines balance between conservation tillage and herbicide-resistant weed management

scanon — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:35:08 +0000

Council for Agricultural Science and Technology

A new Issue Paper from CAST, Herbicide-resistant Weeds Threaten Soil Conservation Gains: Finding a Balance for Soil and Farm Sustainability, examines the impact of certain weed management practices on soil conservation objectives and addresses ways to mitigate negative effects.

Corn market remains unsettled

scanon — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:32:50 +0000

Susan Jongeneel, University of Illinois

The 2011-12 corn marketing year is approaching the halfway point.

Cattle prices could remain strong into next year

scanon — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:54:24 +0000

Most cattle producers like to hear ag economists make positive predictions about their futures. But when their banker makes them, that’s even better.

Former Shell Oil president rips Congress for lack of energy policy

scanon — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:46:36 +0000

Blasts politicians for perversion of democracy

Richard Cornett, Director of Communications, Western Plant Health Association

John Hofmeister, former president of Shell Oil and author of “Why we Hate the Oil Companies,” says the remedy to the U.S. energy abyss lies in reforming the political system by removing the energy puzzle from the hands of politicians. The U.S. uses 18.5 million barrels of oil daily, but produces only 7 million, meaning an increasing dependence on foreign oil. Energy sources such as coal, oil, natural gas, nuclear energy, hydroelectric, biofuels and solar and wind energy — if developed to fullest potential — would easily keep the U.S. energy sufficient for the next 300 years.

IRS makes changes to Schedule F

scanon — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:39:58 +0000

Gary Hoff, Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics, University of Illinois

When you prepare to file your 2011 farm income tax return, you will find the Internal Revenue Service has made some major changes in the 2011 Form 1040 Schedule F. It is important to understand these changes.

Trans-Pacific Partnership could provide major gains for cattlemen

scanon — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:34:50 +0000

The National Cattlemen's Beef Association counted the Columbia, Panama and South Korea trade agreements as victories in 2011. But its leaders are looking to even more successes in 2012.

Elections, deficits will impact farm bill discussions

scanon — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:20:41 +0000

Billions in proposed cuts hanging over 2012 farm bill discussions

Crow ping-pong and the hunt for glory

cbennett — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 20:39:01 +0000

Who invents a game called crow ping-pong anyhow? Next time someone claims that America has cornered the global market on the unusual, the Germans should step up and at least claim responsibility for Crowbusters — a group of Bavarian bird hunters waiting for the apocalypse.

Farm Press Blog