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New World screwworm has kept the border closed to cattle trade with Mexico for the better part of 2 years.   Barbara Jackson, a rancher and feedyard owner outside of Tucson, Arizona says the news that live cattle imports from Mexico would resume August 24th was welcomed. “Being closed has been huge economic strife for many, many companies,” she says. “It’s hurt our infrastructure. We’ve had feed The post Border ranchers say New World screwworm fight remains critical as Mexico cattle trade set to resume appeared first on Brownfield Ag News.     

A crop specialist says he’s concerned that heavy pest pressure could impact corn production in southwest Nebraska. Shawn Becker with Hogemeyer Hybrids tells Brownfield, “We are seeing a lot of Western Bean Cutworm this year. High percentages and a lot of acres are being treated.” He says the cause for the increase is unknown. “We The post Western bean cutworm populations remain elevated for second straight year appeared first on Brownfield Ag News.     

The president of the Nebraska Farm Bureau says a recent trade mission to Southeast Asia underscored the growing competition U.S. producers are facing.   Mark McHargue says Japanese and Philippine buyers expressed concern about the price of ag products like beef, pork, wheat and ethanol compared to other countries. “What we tried to reiterate to The post Trade mission reinforces need for U.S. to stay competitive in Southeast Asia appeared first on Brownfield Ag News.     

The Illinois wheat checkoff is up and running.  “It officially started July 1st, where assessments were being withheld from grain settlements.” John Howell, who farms in southwestern Illinois and chairs the Illinois Wheat Development Board, says the voluntary penny and a half per bushel assessment brings wheat to a level playing field with corn and The post Illinois wheat checkoff up and running appeared first on Brownfield Ag News.