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7 ag stories you might have missed 16

Catch up on this week’s WASDE report, new ag export records, cover crop incentives and more!

Rachel Schutte, Content Producer

February 11, 2022

2 Min Read
Collage with corn harvest, capitol building and angus beef cattle

Missed some agricultural news this week? Here are seven stories to fill you in.

WASDE data keeps soy rally alive

USDA’s cuts to South American production were not as steep as markets expected on Wednesday. Still, corn and soybean futures continued to rise following the report release. Even though USDA left U.S. corn stocks and exports unchanged, corn could see upside potential if the South American crop continues to shrink. – Farm Futures

Avian flu at Indiana turkey farm

The H5N1 avian influenza has been confirmed at a commercial turkey farm in southern Indiana. Farms within the 10-kilometer control area are quarantined until testing is complete. No other cases on other farms have been detected so far. The State Board of Animal Health will assist with depopulating the affected farm. It is the first case in the U.S. since 2020 and the first in Indiana since 2016. – Indiana Prairie Farmer

Brazil faces atrazine shortage

Brazilian groups representing grain growers are complaining about an atrazine shortage. As farmers are planting their second corn crop, they are not receiving orders in time to control weeds. The shortage of products in the Brazilian market puts the second corn crop at risk. – Reuters

Ag exports break records

U.S. agricultural exports soared to a record-breaking $177 billion during the 2021 calendar year, besting the previous record of nearly $155 billion set in 2014. Beef and pork exports also hit new records, surpassing $10 billion and $8 billion, respectively, for the first time. – Farm Futures

Money for methane

As California pushes to cut greenhouse emissions, dairy farms have the opportunity to earn a buck. Pollution cuts on farms could help satisfy limits on emissions from California roadways. Check out how High Plains Ponderosa Dairy in Kansas is converting from lagoons to anaerobic digesters to take advantage of the emissions credits. – NPR

Are you eligible for a crop insurance discount?

Building on a successful launch in 2021, USDA’s Risk Management Agency is offering agricultural producers who planted cover crops during the 2022 crop year a premium discount on their crop insurance policies. Producers must report cover crop acreage by March 15 to receive the benefit from the Pandemic Cover Crop Program. – Farm Futures

DNA-based food tracking tool

A new DNA-based solution could deliver fully traceable meat, seafood and poultry to consumers. Merck's IdentiGen TraceBack tool allows buyers to follow food from farm to fork. The tool uses DNA and data analytics to connect protein at the store with a source. – Wallaces Farmer

About the Author(s)

Rachel Schutte

Content Producer, Farm Futures

Rachel grew up in central Wisconsin and earned a B.S. in soil and crop science from the University of Wisconsin - Platteville. Before joining the Farm Futures team, Rachel spent time in the field as an agronomist before transitioning to the world of marketing and communications. She now resides in northeast Iowa where she enjoys raising bottle calves and farming corn and soybeans alongside her husband and his family.

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