The most recent Consumer Price Index in February shows food prices rose 7.9 percent during the month. Scott Brown, an Associate Professor of Agricultural and Applied Economics at the University of Missouri Extension Service, says several factors are pushing prices higher.

The agricultural economic outlook for 2022 remains solid. Senior economist with the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City Cortney Cowley says while things look good on the surface, there will be things to watch out for this year.

Drought or no drought, experts say farmers need to keep an eye on nitrogen levels in their soil. Both too little and too much water can impact soil chemistry and affect many nutrients’ ability to be available to crops. CHS Agronomy Product Manager Ryan Hageman says nitrogen plays a critical role in plant health.

Trade dominates conversation at Commodity Classic in New Orleans this month. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service added four new mission trips to its 2022 schedule.

Texas Tech Professor of Agriculture and Applied Economics Darren Hudson says even if the Russia-Ukraine conflict ended today, the impacts will be long-lasting… and to make sure you’re prepared for a potential financial crisis.

The USDA wants to remind producers the deadline for help with cover crops is Tuesday, March 15. Risk Management Agency Administrator Marcia Bunger says the Pandemic Cover Crop Program had a successful pilot year, but this year USDA made some changes that should benefit even more farmers.

Supply chain obstacles and shipping bottlenecks have farmers and ranchers in a chokehold as agriculture products rot waiting for shipment… while empty containers clog the line ahead of them. One company says it has a solution to unclog ports and reduce their carbon footprint.

As fuel prices skyrocket, biofuels advocates push for ethanol blends at the pumps… but the White House shows little support.

Biofuel and farm groups are asking President Biden to restore year-round sales of 15 percent ethanol-blended gasoline in response to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine crisis.

The University of California, Davis is spearheading a five-year, $15 million research project into the impact climate change may have on wheat, and accelerating the development of varieties that will respond better to increased heat, if needed.