Did you miss some agricultural news this week? No need to worry. Here’s a roundup of the top headlines in agriculture from around the country.
Cropland prices up 20%
Land prices have taken another jump after remaining steady to start 2022. “Prices for good quality cropland are up 20% in some areas since the first of the year," says Randy Dickhut, senior vice president for Farmers National Company. "Good land that was selling for around $16,000 last fall sold for $19,000 to $21,500 per acre at company auctions in March." Despite production costs, farmers continue to bid aggressively at farmland auctions as the land provides a safe long-term inflation hedging investment. – Farm Progress
Nutrien to boost fertilizer production
Nutrien Ltd. will ramp up potash production capability to 18 million tons by 2025, a 40% increase compared to 2020, the company said in a Thursday statement, citing “structural changes in global energy, agriculture and fertilizer markets.” Nutrien’s interim president and CEO said the company will be well-positioned to fill supply gaps. – Bloomberg
AGCO invests in autonomy software
Agco is entering a technical partnership with Apex.AI to provide that software for its robot prototype Xaver. Agco invested in Apex.AI in December 2021, and this is the next step in that relationship. The operating system is specifically designed for managing autonomous systems with an app-based approach. A cloud-connected fleet of Fendt Xaver robots can provide real-time data from each unit, including location, status and diagnostics. – Farm Progress
NPPC to file first brief challenging Prop 12
On June 10, the National Pork Producers Council will file its first brief in its challenge of California’s Proposition 12 ballot initiative. NPPC’s general counsel remains confident of the merits of the case, and other impacted industries are joining in the fight. This comes after 15 Democrat senators requested that the Biden administration’s top attorney write SCOTUS in support of Prop 12. – Farm Progress
Wheat with higher gluten quality
Oklahoma State University's Wheat Improvement Team is breeding wheat varieties with exceptionally high gluten quality, excellent yield and reliable disease resistance. Higher gluten quality could mean more profitability for producers by increasing a wheat crop’s value, and when that trait is combined with high disease-resistance, producers could also see an increase in yields. – Southwest Farm Press
Senate confirms Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young
The Senate advanced the nomination of Dr. Chavonda J. Jacobs-Young to be USDA undersecretary of agriculture for Research, Education, and Economics. Jacobs-Young currently serves as acting deputy undersecretary for REE, acting USDA chief scientist, administrator for the Agricultural Research Service, and is former acting director for USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. – Farm Progress
Best burger battle
What’s the best burger in the U.S.? The Iowa Beef Industry Council and the New York Beef Council are putting their state's best burger winners to the test in a battle for bragging rights of the ultimate best burger. Cast your vote early – voting closes at the end of the day June 13. – New York Beef Council
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