K-State wheat breeder taking new approach to leaf rust resistance Sometimes less is more. That's how Kansas State University wheat breeder, Allan Fritz, is now approaching the problem of getting durable leaf rust resistance into new varieties. Combining several resistance genes that, individually, impart only a minor level of leaf rust protection to all races of leaf rust should offer more durable resistance than using a single gene with very strong resistance to specific races of rust, ...

Grain, soybean bids sharply lower Grain and soybean bids were sharply lower due to a bearish U.S. Department of Agriculture supply/demand report and a bigger-than-expected quarterly stocks number for wheat, according to the National Grain Market Summary, Jan. 12. Wheat closed mostly 52 to 68 cents lower. Corn traded 30 to 42 cents lower.

Wheat in most areas needs moisture Texas Southeast Texas received up to 0.5 inches of rain while the rest of the state received little to no rain during the week ending Jan. 4, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Texas Field Office, Jan. 5. Wheat in the High Plains, Northern Low Plains, and Cross Timbers was in need of moisture and growing slowly.

Snow cover a concern for some winter wheat stands SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP)--Despite snow accumulation in winter wheat-producing areas, the U.S. Department of Agriculture says farmers report that high winds have blown a lot if it away. Farmers count on snow to cover and protect winter wheat, which is planted in the fall and lies dormant over the winter. The USDA, in a report, says some farmers in Bennett County report their winter wheat fields are covered with thick ice.

NAWG announces 2009 WOLF program class The National Association of Wheat Growers is pleased to announce the class for the 2009 Wheat Organization Leaders of the Future, or WOLF, program. Participants will be: --Keven Bradley, Cut Bank, Mont.;

AFBF: Economist sees lower crop prices in 2009 Farm income hit a record high in 2008 due in part to record prices for corn, soybeans and wheat, but an economist speaking at a crop outlook seminar at the American Farm Bureau's 90th annual meeting said farmers can expect lower prices this year. Jim Sullivan, an agricultural economist and senior vice president of Informa Economics in Washington, D.C., said the global recession will mean weakening demand for corn, soybeans and wheat this year. ...

A dry December for many parts of the state Oklahoma Only three districts, the Northeast, East Central and Southeast, received over an inch of rainfall during the month of December, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Oklahoma Field Office, Jan. 5. The state averaged 0.89 inches of precipitation, making it the 24th driest cool growing season since ranking began in 1921.

Texas headed back into drought conditions LUBBOCK, Texas (AP)--Longtime rancher Barbara Mazurek remembers watching her father fall into despair while trying to keep their Central Texas spread afloat during the state's worst drought in the 1950s. Now, looking across her parched ranch near the one where she grew up, those days don't seem so long ago. "It's beginning to look like that," the 72-year-old rancher said.

Secrets to sorghum survival in acidic soils A gene that protects sorghum from aluminum in acidic soils has been identified by an Agricultural Research Service scientist and cooperators. Acidic soils, which are found around the world, often have aluminum levels that are toxic to food plants such as sorghum. This finding could help plant breeders develop sorghum varieties that can be grown by subsistence farmers who depend on this grain crop for survival.

Farmers will discover bright horizons at Commodity Classic Corn, soybean, wheat and sorghum growers who attend the 14th Annual Commodity Classic, Feb. 26 to 28, in Grapevine, Texas, will "discover bright horizons." Through valuable educational sessions, growers will learn how to improve farm efficiency and profitability from respected industry leaders. "Producers will have many opportunities to learn the best methods for improving productivity on their farms in addition to learning about new ...