Y101.3 FM Sioux City

The extended farm bill covers programs for most of 2024, but an agricultural banker says there’s another upcoming deadline that will impact the next farm bill.  Ed Elfmann with the American Bankers Association tells Brownfield leaders in the House of Representatives want to get a markup of the farm bill done in May. “The issue is where the budget turns over at the end of May, so they have to try to make sure they get a markup done basically before, I think it’s May 27th.” Elfmann says farm bill activity has picked up in the House. ...     

Several Missouri farmers say the warm, dry field conditions have allowed spring planting to move ahead of schedule. “This is the fastest we’ve ever gotten over the ground, I think.” In west-central Missouri, Cody Brock says he was able to start planting a week earlier than usual and the soybeans are starting to emerge. “Everything’s off to a good start, we were able to plant into moisture. Everything is sprouting and a little rain this time of the year won’t hurt a thing.” Brock says he should finish planting this week. ...     

The USDA’s cancelation of the July Cattle Inventory report leaves the industry with less data, and an ag economist says that’s a concern. University of Missouri’s Scott Brown says especially when considering the current cattle cycle. “There’s so much discussion about when are we going to start growing, when are we going to see the cow herd try to expand,” he says.  “Missing the July data is potentially problematic if we try to start to grow as we go further here in the next few months.” He tells Brownfield the next inventory report isn’t scheduled until January 2025, and a lot can happen in a year’s time. ...     

The director of government affairs with the American Farm Bureau Federation says he’s eager to see USDA’s final Animal Disease Traceability Rule. R.J. Layher tells Brownfield the proposed rule was consistent with AFBF policy on animal disease traceability. “Animals under 18 months old moving along the interstate won’t need an electronic tag. Animals that are going to cull won’t need an electronic tag. For those animals moving interstate over 18 months old and in tact, they will need to be electronic and visibly readable.” The proposed rule is currently being reviewed at the Office of Management and Budget and Layher says once the rule is published a six-month implementation period is expected. ...