Rising prices for farmland in the U.S. Midwest and fears that values may be creating an artificial bubble are driving some investors to the sidelines, though strong farm balance sheets are sustaining interest in many sectors, investment experts said on Monday. Surging prices for key row crops, such as corn, soybeans and wheat, are helping
U.S. Farmland Values Sideline Some Investors
Massive Crop Losses Feared In U.S. South
The worst drought in more than 40 years has intensified across Texas with high winds and heat causing “massive crop losses,” and with little relief in sight, according to weather experts April 28. A report released from a consortium of national climate experts, dubbed the Drought Monitor, said drought worsened along the Texas border with
“Massive” crop losses feared in U.S. South’s drought
The worst drought in more than 40 years intensified across Texas over the last week, with high winds and heat causing “massive crop losses,” with little relief in sight, according to weather experts Thursday. A report released Thursday from a consortium of national climate experts, dubbed the Drought Monitor, said drought worsened along the Texas
Cancer Cause Or Crop Aid? Glyphosate Faces Big Test
Critics say it’s a chemical that could cause infertility or cancer, while others see it speeding the growth of super weeds and causing worrying changes to plants and soil. Backers say it is safe and has made a big contribution to food production. It’s glyphosate, the key – but controversial – ingredient in Roundup herbicide
Organic Farmers Sue, Seek Protection From Monsanto
A consortium of U.S. organic farmers and seed dealers filed suit against global seed giant Monsanto Co. on Mar. 29, in a move to protect themselves from what they see as a growing threat in the company’s arsenal of genetically modified crops. The Public Patent Foundation (PUBPAT) filed the suit on behalf of more than
Syngenta To Go Ahead With Ethanol-Specific Corn
Amonth after receivi ng regulatory approva l , Swiss agricultural company Syngenta is starting to sign up U.S. farmers to grow its new biotech corn seed aimed at ethanol production, but expects to enrol fewer than 20,000 acres in a contracted growing arrangement this spring, a top company executive said Mar. 16. Syngenta is meeting
As Land Runs Out, U.S. Corn Yield Growth Must Quicken
For decades, U.S. farmers have helped feed the world by sowing some of the most versatile cropland, adjusting each year to grow a bit more of this and less of that, to replenish those crops in greatest shortage. This year, however, even with farmers planting nearly every acre of arable land, it will not be
Forget Fuel Costs, U.S. Farmers Cheer Oil Surge
Not too long ago, a surge in oil prices would have caused a groan of misery from the U.S. farm belt, forced to pay higher prices for tractor fuel and fertilizer. Today, farmers are far more likely to cheer. The farm sector’s response to a surge in fuel costs has inverted for two important reasons:
Plant Pathologist Cites “High Risk” Of Glyphosate
Questions about the safety of glyphosate have resurfaced in a warning from a U.S. scientist that claims the top-selling herbicide may contribute to plant disease and health problems for farm animals. Plant pathologist and retired Purdue University professor, Don Huber has written a letter to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack warning that a newly discovered
USDA Partially Deregulating Biotech Sugar Beets
U.S. agricultural regulators Feb. 4 said despite a court ban, they would allow commercial planting of genetically modified sugar beets under closely controlled conditions while they complete a full environmental impact statement. The move marks the second-such boost by the United States for contested biotech crops in a week, and underscores U.S. determination to expand
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
