A lot happened in 2020, both on and off the farm. Here’s a timeline of some of the headlines that caught farmers’ attention over the last year. Catch up on what you missed!
JANUARY
At the beginning of 2020, farmers were looking back on the 2019 growing season and planning for the year ahead. David Hula shared a few of the practices that were key in winning the 2019 National Corn Yield Contest with 616.195-bushel-per-acre yield.
- READ MORE: How David Hula grows 600-bushel-plus corn
Starbucks outraged many in the agriculture community when they announced plans to cut back on dairy products as part of a new sustainability plan. Dairy Management, Inc. and other industry groups responded by emphasizing that both plants and animals play a critical role in the health of people and our world.
- READ MORE: Starbucks plans to hold the milk
Farmers were closely watching for news about a third tranche of Market Facilitation Program (MFP) payments. In 2019, two other MFP checks were cut in August and November.
- READ MORE: More MFP coming soon to a farm near you
FEBRUARY
A number of new products introduced at the National Farm Machinery Show made headlines in February. John Deere introduced a new planter, fertilizer application system, air cart, and compact tractor. Case IH and New Holland also had new machinery on display.
For some farmers looking to diversify their income, trucking may be an option. Erik Oberbroeckling shared how he’s made money using the semis the farm already had. “Farming and trucking is a symbiotic relationship,” he said.
The first USDA farm income estimate predicted net farm income would hit $96.7 billion in 2020. The report forecast that direct farm program payments would account for 15% of farm income.
