Latest News From Sonja Begemann

Farmers impacted by economic fallout from COVID-19 will be eligible to receive funds from the up to $14 billion allocated for assistance.

It’s a twofer—a win-win—a no-lose scenario! No matter what, you gain free access to great speakers and expert information. And you have a chance to win a full-size, side-by-side utility vehicle (UTV).

In an effort to not only feed needy families in her community, but also to teach others about how produce is grown, Janya Green leads tours and tends to food in her community garden.

In Chillicothe, Ohio Jacob Shuman works hard every day to maintain his honeybee hives and teach other students about the insect. With bee populations on the decline, education and healthy hives have become important.

Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new tool that identifies the presence of harmful bacteria in food samples.

Our favorite stories from this past year.

Christmas is a time for joy. Check out a few stories that bring smiles to our faces and joy in our hearts.

USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and Santa’s veterinarian approved him and his team for flight around the world Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2019.

In its annual survey, the Biomin PROcheck Mycotoxin Report found contamination levels in 2019 harvested corn to be of medium to high risk for all livestock and poultry species.

In its 34th study, the American Farm Bureau Federation found 2019’s price tag for a traditional Thanksgiving meal rose just one penny to $48.91 for 10 people. This amounts to less than $5 per person.

While all eyes are on the U.S. House impeachment hearings, rumors swirl the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) could come up for a vote as early as next week.

When shopping the open market consider your family’s current and upcoming needs, such as major surgeries or the birth of a child. In addition, see what subsidies you might be able to use.

If you’re considering selling some of your wet grain to livestock owners, it’s important you determine who will test for mycotoxins. The season’s weather and conditions could mean mycotoxins spring up.

Farmers are keeping a close eye on not only the USDA World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates and Crop Production reports, but export trades being made in real-time, too.

This week is National Suicide Prevention Week and it’s important to be aware of the moods and actions of friends and family. In a bleak year like 2019, some farmers might believe there is no way out.

Every day, animal practitioners are inundated with animals in pain, owners begging for help, euthanasia and patient after patient who is paralyzed in fear.

Earlier this week a coalition of Nebraska citizens joined together to push against large livestock operations in the state. If the petition is followed, it would put a temporary stop to CAFOs in the state.

Farming is stressful—this year proves challenging for even experienced farmers. However, it’s important for you, friends and family to remember that stress on the farm should be just that—stress on the farm.

Grilling season is here and Memorial Day marks one of the biggest meat consumption weekends of the year. Chicken has been the champion protein in recent weeks, with restaurants driving much of the demand.

Citizens of Toledo value Lake Erie, and in a recent special election more than 60% of them voted to provide extra protections. Now any citizen can sue anyone who “causes harm” to the lake’s ecosystem.

With each tractor or combine pass, pig squeal and kernel placed in the soil, Brian Washburn is thankful for the life he’s created on the farm. It was a life he never expected to experience.

A diversified business has both pros and cons. While it can add financial cushion in tough years, it can also be a farm’s downfall, if not properly researched.

Tyson Foods is teaming up with the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) to develop and employ strategies that encourage sustainability while meeting consumer demands for more sustainably grown foods.

Microsoft recently announced it is increasing its commitment to closing the rural broadband gap with a significant infrastructure boost from the company.

Each year, Farm Journal staff write hundreds of stories that appear online, in print, on radio or on TV. Certain stories stand out for each of us, they might warm our hearts or were something we’re proud we wrote.

Certain parts of the Corn Belt experienced extreme weather and temperature conditions, leading to damaging levels of ear rot. If you’re one of those farmers be sure to test corn for Mycotoxins.

Experts aren’t expecting major downward price shifts when it comes to seed—but changing management practices could save money.

Despite a wild fall, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) expects a warmer-than-normal winter for the western two-thirds of the U.S. They don’t expect any areas with cooler-than-normal conditions.

There will be opportunity to lock in low prices, but the fuel market could experience volatility depending on discussions between the current administration and countries such as Saudi Arabia.

China uses about 60% of the soybeans produced globally—and demand is increasing by at least 5% each year.

Hot and dry cornfield conditions are breeding grounds for dangerous aspergillus ear and kernel mold that produces aflatoxins. This toxin is a carcinogen, can harm livestock and can lead to rejection at the elevator.

Hot and dry cornfield conditions are breeding grounds for dangerous aspergillus ear and kernel mold that produces aflatoxins. This toxin is a carcinogen, can harm livestock and can lead to rejection at the elevator.

Ever scout and find a weed but for the life of you can’t figure out what it is? BASF hopes to relieve frustrating moments by launching a new app called the xarvio scouting app.

Projected yields in Ohio and South Dakota from day one of the Pro Farmer Crop Tour topple recent history.

As you line up land opportunities for the 2019 season, consider different lease options to find the one that best fits your needs.

Today’s World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) and Crop Production reports, paint two totally different pictures for the U.S. corn and soybean crops.

Between the anticipation of high soybean yields, and the current trade spat, soybean prices have yet to rebound from a nosedive this spring. However, soybean crush and exports over the past two months show increased use.

An eastern Asian weed found its way into Iowa this year. Mile-a-minute weed is invasive and has been found as far west as Indiana and Kentucky with one outlier in Oregon. This is the plant’s first appearance in Iowa.

The dog days of summer seem to be in the rearview mirror. As lower-than-recent temperatures fall across the Corn Belt and south, farmers are likely wondering just how long this will last.

Monday evening 52-year-old Robert Pokorny of Clearwater, Neb., died as a result of injuries suffered during a grain bin accident. His funeral was today at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Clearwater.

If there’s a chance you will expand production and need more grain bins, it’s a good idea to make a site plan that allows for easy growth, while still providing functionality.

Research indicates quality aspects of some varieties make them worth more

Research indicates quality aspects of some varieties make them worth more

Rainfall forecasts are flawed. They don’t take into account factors such as evaporation making them less accurate. Meteorologists at the MU have developed a method to help accurately account for evaporation.

Social media allows farmers to connect across the country to share in trials and triumphs. Conditions in South Dakota vary drastically from those in Texas, and those in Missouri.

It’s important to watch your fields—not your calendar—when deciding to plant says Farm Journal Field Agronomist Ken Ferrie. Cool soils, wet conditions and potential late frost means you still need to be patient.

It’s important to watch your fields—not your calendar—when deciding to plant says Farm Journal Field Agronomist Ken Ferrie. Cool soils, wet conditions and potential late frost means you still need to be patient.

With cold temperatures lingering longer than many farmers prefer, you might wonder just how late a freeze could hit. Historically, the Corn Belt has seen some, but not many, freezes after June 1.

With cold temperatures lingering longer than many farmers prefer, you might wonder just how late a freeze could hit. Historically, the Corn Belt has seen some, but not many, freezes after June 1.

Farmers will plant more acres of high oleic soybeans thanks to a partnership with food and ag company Calyxt, Inc. The company recently announced it expanded its high oleic acreage to 16,000 acres in the Midwest.