crop News

US Corn Harvest Is in Trouble

Sagging ears just short of maturity, cobs half bare of kernels as if nibbled, earth so dry that deep cracks criss-cross the fields: The US corn harvest is in trouble. The signs were already there in South Dakota. Scouts surveying …

California’s Wine Country Adapting to Annual Wildfire Threat

Harvest season in Northern California’s wine country is what dream weddings are made of: ripe grapevines and golden sunsets provide ceremonies an alluring backdrop that every year draws millions of visitors. But harvest season now overlaps with fire season as …

Falling Grain Prices, Record Cattle Prices Mark 2014 For Kansas

Farmers and ranchers across Kansas are wrapping up the 2014 growing season, marked by rapidly changing fortunes that were buffeted by weather and markets. It began with a meager winter wheat harvest before late spring rains eased drought conditions just …

California Drought Bad Tidings for Rice Harvest

California’s deepening drought is shrinking its rice harvest, and that’s bad news for farmers, migratory birds and sushi lovers. The $5 billion industry exports rice to more than 100 countries and specializes in premium grains used in risotto, paella and …

Hot Weather Takes Toll On Washington Wheat Crop

Too much heat and too little rain this summer are taking a toll on the winter wheat crop in Eastern Washington. Joel Zwainz on Monday estimated that his family’s 3,400-acre farm near Reardan will produce 30 to 50 percent less …

Senator Wants Feds to Help North Dakota Corn Growers

North Dakota corn farmers are having a tough time getting their crop in the ground because of a wet spring, and U.S. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp is asking the federal government to help them out. The Democratic senator is calling on …

Guy Carpenter Facilitates Launch of Multi-Peril Crop Insurance in Australia

Guy Carpenter & Co., LLC, a global risk and reinsurance specialist and member of Marsh & McLennan Cos. has facilitated the launch of a Multi-Peril Crop Insurance (MPCI) product for Australian grain growers for the 2013 crop season. The product …

QBE Completes Acquisition of RenRe’s U.S. Insurance Operations

Australia’s QBE announced that it has completed its acquisition of the U.S. admitted insurance businesses of Renaissance Re, which include a U.S. crop and small specialist program insurance business. QBE said the acquisition supports its “commitment to growing the business …