Weed Control in Tall Fescue Pastures and Hayfields
After last summers and falls drought, I have been receiving lots of questions about what to expect from this springs hay and pasture fields. We may not have an answer to that question until this spring when warm temperatures allow our grasses to start growing again. One thing that will be important this year is […]
USDA Farm Service Agency Urges Farmers and Ranchers to Vote in County Committee Elections Beginning Monday, Nov. 4
USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Juan M. Garcia announced that the 2013 FSA County Committee Elections begin today, Nov. 4, with the mailing of ballots to eligible voters. The deadline to return the ballots to local FSA offices is Dec. 2, 2013. “The role and input of our county committee members is more vital […]
State’s Agritourism Industry Continues Steady Growth
Researchers at the University of Tennessee released new findings this week that show Tennessee’s agritourism industry — which includes any agriculturally-based operation or activity that brings visitors to a farm or ranch — has more than doubled between 2006 and 2012, bringing in hundreds of millions of tourism dollars for farmers across the state. In […]
Weekly Livestock Comments, June 21, 2013
FED CATTLE: Fed cattle trade was slow to develop this week with asking prices firm compared to a week ago. Live ask prices were $121 to $122 and dressed prices were $195 to $196. Bid prices on a live basis were $117 to $118 and dressed bids were $192. The 5-area weighted average prices thru […]
Weekly Crop Comments, June 21, 2013
Overview Corn and wheat were up; soybeans and cotton were down for the week. Outside markets caused some fluctuations in the grain markets at the end of the week as Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke announced the potential trim down of its asset purchasing program later this year and the potential to halt the program next […]
Weekly Livestock Comments, June 7, 2013
FED CATTLE: Fed cattle sold $2 to $3 lower compared to last week on a live basis. Prices on a live basis were primarily $122 while dressed prices were not established at press. The 5-area weighted average prices thru Thursday were $123.40 live, down $1.41 from last week and $195.80 dressed, down $3.26 from a […]
Weekly Crop Comments, June 7, 2013
Overview Soybeans and cotton were up, wheat was down, and corn was mixed for the week. Of note, this week’s crop comments were completed using closing market numbers for Thursday (June 6) instead of Friday. This was due to a personal scheduling conflict, I apologize for this inconvenience. Wet weather continues to delay corn and […]
Weekly Crop Comments, May 31, 2013
Overview Wheat, soybeans, and corn were up and cotton was down for the week. Planting / weather concerns continue to play a key role in the markets. Corn planting has improved dramatically the past two weeks however planting concerns continue in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and North Dakota. Concern over planting delays has also become prevalent with […]
Weekly Livestock Comments, May 31, 2013
FED CATTLE: Fed cattle sold mainly steady to firm compared to last week on a live basis. Prices on a live basis were primarily $124 to $125 while dressed prices were primarily $199 to $200 on limited trade. The 5-area weighted average prices thru Thursday were $124.81 live, up $0.36 from last week and $199.06 […]
Trapping Gets Underway for Tree Pest Across Tennessee
Purple three-sided insect traps that resemble a box kite can be seen in ash trees across Tennessee in the next few months as part of a surveillance program by state and federal agencies. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA, APHIS) and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) are partnering […]
Weekly Crop Comments, May 17, 2013
FED CATTLE: Fed cattle sold mainly $1 lower compared to last week on a live basis. Prices on a live basis were primarily $125 to $126 while dressed prices ranged from $200 to $201. The 5-area weighted average prices thru Thursday were $124.79 live, down $1.43 from last week and $199.76 dressed, down $2.98 from […]
Weekly Crop Comments, May 17, 2013
Corn and soybeans were up wheat was down and cotton was mixed for the week. Weather continues to be a key factor in the markets. Rainfall in the 5-day forecast is sporadic throughout the Midwest with the majority of precipitation anticipated in the northern Corn Belt. Six to 10 day forecasts indicate precipitation on the […]
Weekly Livestock Comments, May 10, 2013
FED CATTLE: Fed cattle sold mainly $2 to $3 lower compared to last week on a live basis. Prices on a live basis were primarily $126 while dressed prices were $202. The 5-area weighted average prices thru Thursday were $126.22 live, down $2.80 from last week and $202.74 dressed, down $3.81 from a week ago. […]
Weekly Crop Comments, May 10, 2013
Price Change US Dollar 83.14 +1.03 Crude 95.85 +0.39 Dow 15,118 +145 Cotton was up, wheat and corn were down, and soybeans were mixed for the week. The US dollar increased 1.03, crude oil was up 0.39 for the week, and the Dow set new highs during the week closing over the 15,000 mark at […]
Place plants in your garden next to their friends to improve yields
You might not know it, but plants have friends, too. And some crops fare better when planted next to or near their friends. Companion planting refers to the establishment of two or more crop species in close proximity so that some cultural benefit is derived. Most often used in home gardens, University of Tennessee Extension […]
Weekly Livestock Comments, May 3, 2013
FED CATTLE: Fed cattle sold mainly $2 higher compared to last week on a live basis. Prices on a live basis were primarily $128 to $130 while dressed prices were $206 to $207. The 5-area weighted average prices thru Thursday were $129.02 live, up $1.77 from last week and $206.56 dressed, up $3.96 from a […]
