Folks across the states are busy with harvest. With so much to do and so little time, have you been disconnected from the latest ag news? Read on – we’ve made it easy to catch up! Here’s a collection of the top headlines in agriculture.

Mississippi water levels remain a challenge

Farm Press writer Ginger Rowsey talks barge captain Eric Badeaux to get a first-hand perspective on how the low Mississippi River levels are affecting commodity transport. Badeaux shares how congestion, closures and labor shortages are stalling grain shipments.

“We just want everyone to know that we’re working hard out here, from the boat crews, to the U.S. Coast Guard, to the Army Corps of Engineers, we’re all doing everything we can to keep moving,” he says. – Delta Farm Press

New Holland bets on methane power

Last year, CNH Industrial purchased a minority stake in Bennemann, a company working to convert methane produced from a manure digester into liquid for use as a biofuel. The system is similar to other manure digesters already installed on farms. Once methane is collected, the gas is scrubbed, compressed, and converted to compressed natural gas. Learn more about how the system works! – American Agriculturist

Hurricanes wreak havok on U.S. ag

The University of Florida reports agriculture losses in Florida from Hurricane Ian’s high winds and drenching rains could reach $1.56 billion, with citrus, cattle, vegetable and melon among the hardest hit crops. Further south, Hurricane Fiona destroyed $159 million worth of crops in Puerto Rico when it hit a month ago, decimating fields of plantains, bananas and other crops. – AP News

Enroll in ARC, PLC programs

Farmers can now change election and enroll in the Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs for the 2023 crop year. Producers have until March 15, 2023, to enroll in these two programs. FSA began processing 2021 ARC and PLC payments to farmers last month totaling more than $255 million. – Farm Progress

NASA scientist receives World Food Prize

The World Food Prize Foundation awarded U.S. NASA scientist Cynthia Rosenzweig with the 2022 World Food Prize for her contributions to understanding and predicting the interactions between climate and food systems. During her acceptance speech, Rosenzweig expressed the urgency of mitigating and adapting to climate and food security threats. – World Food Prize

Pork and chicken production on the rise

According to a report from USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service, global pork and chicken production is forecast to rise next year while beef production is expected to fall by 6% on tighter cattle inventories.

“Relatively high feed and energy prices have squeezed profitability globally, but expansion is spurred by robust demand as consumers are expected to seek lower-cost animal proteins amid rising food costs,” FAS noted. – Feedstuffs

The latest products in agriculture

Looking to invest in new equipment for the farm? Check out the latest and greatest products the Farm Progress team found on display at farm shows. From flexing draper heads to wireless grain bin monitoring systems, there’s lots to check out: