The report will include an updated yield and production forecast for winter wheat based on both producer-reported data and on actual plant and fruit counts from fields sampled as part of the Objective Yield Survey. Any reported changes will be reflected in the June Crop Production report, to be released June 11. Copyright 2007 Illinois Agricultural Association.

Research funding for specialty crops is among the dozens of proposals that will be considered in the legislation, which was last written in 2002 and gives farmers payments and other help to supplement their incomes, support crop prices and manage supplies. Shown among his peonies, Mayer, 40, a fifth-generation farmer, is the largest producer of fresh-cut gladiolus in the country. Shown among his peonies, Mayer, 40, a fifth-generation farmer, is the largest producer of fresh-cut gladiolus...

While no one knows at this time what yields or prices will be at harvest, wheat prices are holding up relatively well so far, and many growers are encouraged. STERLING The color of green has spread across eastern Colorado this spring, painting the winter wheat and alfalfa fields in rich and glowing tones. Wheat is at a critical stage now and needs adequate water while the grain is forming. With plenty of water in the river and area reservoirs, some growers used center pivots to irrigate...

While ethanol products made from corn have been very successful, the nation s future energy needs demand that we pursue fuel production from more than traditional crops alone. House and Senate Agriculture Committees, the GEC urged support of biofuel production from new feedstock materials as part of the 2007 Farm Bill, asking that a pilot program be developed to help promote the production, collection, processing, and transport of crops and plants used in developing a new generation of...

Illinois and the other areas most affected by the April cold grow soft red winter wheat, used for pasta, crackers and cookies, but not bread. An early April freeze turned what had been vibrant, green carpets emerging in fields weak and yellow in many areas, from Illinois to Kansas and as far south as Arkansas. Reichert hopes his wheat will yield 75 bushels an acre - considerably less than his fields have produced in recent years, but he'd take it. Winter wheat is planted late in the year,...

As of last week, about 1 060ha had been put under wheat throughout the province and there were fears that it was now almost impossible for Masvingo to meet its projected winter wheat target this year. At least 1 000 hectares of winter wheat have been planted in Masvingo and there are fears that the province could miss its initial target of 1 800ha to boost food security in the province. The Masvingo Arex chief said planting as late as June greatly compromised the quality of the crop and...