commodity crops
Some U.S. crops are boosting yields and improving sustainability, while others fall behind.
The Field to Market alliance says in an assessment issued every four years that, on the whole, 10 major U.S. crops have produced more yield on less land with improved environmental outcomes on a per-unit-of-production basis. The alliance calls this "a significant step toward a more sustainable farming system," but cautions that "improvements are plateauing for a number of crops and indicators."
More organic acres than ever in U.S.
The amount of U.S. acres in organic farmland increased 11 percent in 2016 from 2014 numbers to reach 4.1 million acres, says a report by the data-service company Mercaris. The individual number of organic farms also jumped in that period by 1,000, to 14,979. The increase is largely due to consumer demand and economics, Scott Shander, an economist at Mercaris, told Civil Eats.
Farmers lean toward record soybean plantings for 2017
U.S. soybean plantings will be record-large for the second year in a row in 2017 if growers follow through on their stated plans, said Farm Futures magazine. In an email survey, farmers said they intend to plant more soybeans, cotton and sorghum next year while cutting back on corn and wheat.
Will low commodity prices pull down farmland-rental rates?
The record-setting corn and soybean crops forecast by USDA — the latest in a string of bumper crops — will drive down commodity prices and put pressure on growers to cut their costs, says economist Gary Schnitkey of U-Illinois. Midwestern growers will lose money at current rental rates, says Schnitkey, and will not break even until rates drop by $50 an acre, or roughly one-fifth.
Report: World won’t meet goal of ending hunger by 2030
The world nearly met its goal of halving hunger by 2015, but will miss its ambitious new goal of eradicating hunger by 2030 without decisive action to raise incomes, expand food production and alleviate income inequality, says a joint report of the OECD and FAO. The new edition of their Agricultural Outlook says the number of undernourished people in the world will drop to 636 million in 2025, compared to 799 million now.
When China cuts corn supports, soybeans look good
Farmers in the top corn-growing province of China say they will shift land to soybeans or other crops now that the government is reducing the support price for corn. The decision to allow the market to set the price for corn "should transform the agricultural landscape," says Reuters.
Agriculture adviser Rod Snyder leaves EPA on Wednesday
Rod Snyder, the first director of EPA's agriculture and rural affairs office, said on Monday that he was leaving the agency after nearly three years as its agriculture adviser. EPA administrator Michael Regan said farmers, ranchers, and rural communities "will always have a seat at EPA's table" thanks to Snyder's influence.