Crude oil prices shed more than $2, corn and soybean futures settled lower while most of the industrial metals posted losses. Increasingly bullish economic data and recent comments from Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke have quashed market hopes for an interest rate cut sometime this year. Now, fears that the Fed won't cut rates _ or may raise them _ have pressured the commodities markets, and gold in particular. Crude oil prices shed more than $2, corn and soybean futures settled lower while most...

Growing degree days, or heat units, are measured with a mathematical formula that adds the day's high temperature to the day's low temperature, divides that number by 2 to get the average temperature, and then subtracts 50, which is the minimum growing temperature. Growing degree days, or heat units, are measured with a mathematical formula that adds the day's high temperature to the day's low temperature, divides that number by 2 to get the average temperature, and then subtracts 50,...

How many of us realize that we contribute to world hunger when we drive more than necessary or fail to cut back on air conditioning and other conveniences? When we import corn for fuel from poorer countries, more arable land is dedicated to corn, causing a shortage in food supplies. Star-Gazette.com - Letters Test of navigation. How many of us realize that we contribute to world hunger when we drive more than necessary or fail to cut back on air conditioning and other conveniences? When we...

The area Memorial Day weather may not have been what anyone with outdoor plans ordered, but for area farmers it was considered to be just perfect. In some areas he said there were 6 to 8 inches of water, depending upon whose rain gauge was read, and the usual streets in the city and roads in the county flooded. Heavy rains just in time for farmers. Kingsville Journal:Local News. Usual areas in city, county flooded Georgia Wingate Thompson, The Kingsville Journal. All of those factors...

The consortium brings together organizations throughout the pork industry and agriculture to research and optimize feed rations. Trials have focused on improving the rate of fiber and starch digestibility and preserving protein quality in order to improve the feed efficiency in swine, dairy and beef operations. These studies have allowed Pioneer to help producers obtain maximum feed value through Pioneer brand seed products. The level of importance Pioneer places on nutritional attributes...

The current surge in milk prices has some Alabama consumers, who already struggle with higher gasoline prices, concerned about a grocery budget-buster. Drought, high fuel and feed prices, a surge in international sales and the cost of dairy operations are factors boosting milk prices to record levels and hitting consumers in the pocketbook. With the lingering drought and record high corn prices, driven up by the ethanol craze, Brady said feed costs have climbed. Lower farm milk prices last...