Are high nitrogen costs making you look at alternative fertilizers? Specialists at the University of Wisconsin and the University of Missouri have been testing the pros and cons of polymer-coated urea as a fertilizer. To read their findings and for help with these important decisions Click Here. 

Marketing specialists from Iowa State and the University of Missouri discuss changing marketing plans due to the recent economic downturn. Corn prices have dropped in the last week, but to put things in perspective, December corn futures are still at the highest prices every seen somewhere around 4.08. To learn more about a healthier marketing plan Click Here. 

Pinching pennies when it comes to fertilizer costs? Many farmers are looking at an old alternative. Manure as a fertilizer is an ancient practice, but was replaced by commercial fertilizers because of manure’s sporadic nutrient levels. With the recent fertilizer cost increase farmers are taking another look. To learn if switching your approach to fertilizing your soil makes sense Click Here.

Without our strong agriculture exports in the last couple of years the United States would almost certainly be in a recession. The lower value of the US dollar makes our products more affordable to international consumers and in some cases the international business is keeping companies afloat. To learn more about US agriculture exports Click Here.

“the farm gate” is a weekly summary of agricultural news from Extension, government and other agricultural sources focused on marketing, farm management and other issues of interest to Corn Belt farmers and those involved in Agriculture.  (Click here to read more)

Why can farmers no longer follow supply/demand fundamentals to base their marketing decisions upon.  Biofuels linking corn/bean prices to crude oil, the value of the U.S. Dollar and the Wall Street Financial woes are a few of the most important factors impacting corn and soybean price movement.  (Click here)

The September projection of average yields and total bushels produced for the United States declined slightly from the August projection as usual. For international import and export projections Click Here.

Fertilizer input costs are on the rise with no relief in sight. To help reduce costs have your soil tested for optimal potassium and phosphorus levels to avoid over-fertilizing and over-spending. To read more agronomy tips like this one Click Here.

This university weekly update discusses current issues like diplodia stalk and ear rot, safe bin practices, the weather outlook, and expected commodity prices. To read the full weekly update Click Here.

Some of the largest lending institutions in the U.S. are failing and the federal government is stepping in.  At this writing, some $1.1 Trillion is being proposed for the largest federal bailout of the financial industry.  But how does the credit crisis on Wall Street affect the farmer in the field?  (Click here to read more)