7 ag stories you might have missed 287 ag stories you might have missed 28

Catch up on another union strike, learn about the increasing threat of aflatoxin, and read up on CRP acre enrollment.

Rachel Schutte, Content Producer

May 6, 2022

2 Min Read
Collage with corn harvest, capitol building and angus beef cattle

Did you miss some agricultural news this week? We’ve got you covered. Here’s this week's roundup of the top headlines in agriculture.

CNH Industrial workers strike

Over 1,000 CNH Industrial workers in Racine, Wisconsin, and Burlington, Iowa, started a strike on Monday. The six-year contract agreement at both facilities expired at midnight on April 30. "Our members at CNHi strike for the ability to earn a decent living, retire with dignity and establish fair work rules," said Chuck Browning, vice president and director of the UAW's Agricultural Implement Department. – Reuters

2022 World Food Prize Laureate announced

Dr. Cynthia Rosenzweig, a NASA scientist, was named the 2022 World Food Prize Laureate on Thursday. She is recognized for her work understanding and predicting the impact of climate change on agriculture and food production. Her data and research is used by decision-makers around the world. – Farm Progress

Caterpillar rolls out new loaders

Caterpillar is launching three new compact wheel loader models with a range of user comfort and productivity features. The new machines now feature the full-size wheel loader cab on these compact machines. There are more features and options for the powertrain, and the hydraulics and machine structure have been modified to improve working capacity. – Farm Progress

USDA accepts CRP contracts on 2 million acres

Farm Service Agency Administrator Zach Ducheneaux says about 90% of enrolled acres were accepted, and the agency hopes to encourage producers to consider additional enrollment options in the Grassland and Continuous signups, both of which are currently open. An estimated 3.4 million acres of enrolled CRP acres expired this year. – Farm Futures

Climate change increases aflatoxin risk

Researchers at Michigan State University expect aflatoxin to become more of a problem in the U.S. Corn Belt between 2031-2040. Aflatoxin degrades corn quality and can cause health problems for humans and animals depending on the amount and length of time ingested. Aflatoxin contamination occurs annually in the southern U.S. but has not previously been a serious problem in the Corn Belt region. – BEEF

Fertilizer chaos to last into 2023

Fertilizer prices have soared to all-time highs as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and sanctions on Belarus threw a massive chunk of the world’s supply into disarray.  Nutrien, the world’s top fertilizer maker, expects disruptions in the fertilizer markets to extend beyond 2022. The company has boosted potash production by 1 million metric tons. – Bloomberg

New Zealand close to wiping out Mycoplasma

Found in cattle in the U.S. and Europe, Mycoplasma bovis is a bacteria that can cause cows to develop mastitis, pneumonia, arthritis and other painful conditions. After a four-year campaign, only a single farm in the country still has the bacterial disease. New Zealand would be the first country that has managed to wipe it out completely. – AP News

About the Author

Rachel Schutte

Content Producer, Farm Futures

Rachel Schutte joined the Farm Progress team in 2021 as the content producer for Farm Futures. With a deep-rooted passion for agriculture and sustainability, Rachel brings a wealth of experience to her role. Before joining Farm Progress, she worked as a certified crop adviser at Insight FS and as communications manager for the American Society of Agronomy.

Growing up around her family's dairy farms in central Wisconsin, Rachel developed a firsthand understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing producers. This background fuels her dedication to delivering timely, accurate and relevant agricultural news to farmers across the country, ensuring they have the information they need to succeed amidst their busy schedules.

Rachel now resides in Northeast Iowa, where she farms corn and soybeans and raises cattle with her husband and his family. She embraces her creative side by running a hobby business growing flowers and crafting items she sells at local farmers markets and craft fairs. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, Rachel is currently pursuing her master's degree at West Virginia University.

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