Corn prices are moderating for both the current crop year and for 2012/13. The corn price is projected to be $5.95 to $6.25 a bushel in 2011/12, a decline from April’s projected price and to slip to $4.20 to $5.00 a bushel next year. Higher corn plantings and higher expected yield could lead to a record-high corn supply in 2012/13 despite tight carryin stocks. The recent Crop Progress report showed a crop well ahead of average development for this time of year.

Indiana's Fair Oaks Farms will complete its switch this summer from fossil fuels to a renewable fuel made from cow manure, reported The Times of Northwest Indiana. A cleaning system is being shipped from New Zealand to be installed at Fair Oaks Farms' anaerobic digester to to scrub out the carbon dioxide. (The digester already produces enough energy to power a 1 megawatt generator for the dairies.) Click here to read Progressive Dairyman's previous article about Fair Oaks Farms' plans for biomethane.

About 2.7 billion low-income consumers in developing countries are the dairy industry’s next big growth opportunity, according to Tetra Pak research. Click here to view Tetra Pak's Dairy Index, which tracks facts and trends in the global dairy industry. The food processing and packaging company said the opportunity arises from an expected increase in prosperity, purchasing power and desire for packaged liquid dairy products (LDP).

The Annual Summer Meltdown Celebration, sponsored by Accelerated Genetics' Young Producer Program, is set for Saturday, June 9 at Knigge Farms in Omro, Wisconsin. Click here to watch a video invitation to the event.

Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, will sell its soybean products by seed count per unit, rather than by weight. The change begins this fall for varieties sold throughout Canada and the U.S. for the 2013 planting season. The number of soybean seeds sold per unit by Pioneer will be 140,000.

In recognition of the USDA's 150th Anniversary, the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) launched an online historical timeline. The history provides important information about the advancement of agricultural statistics as well as the background of NASS itself.

In recognition of the USDA's 150th Anniversary, the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) launched an online historical timeline. The history provides important information about the advancement of agricultural statistics as well as the background of NASS itself.

Beef checkoff dollars continue to be invested in foreign marketing activities to build global demand for beef and maintain beef’s positive image. And although the export train has had a steeper hill to climb and export volume has slowed as compared to this time last year, the U.S. is still four percent above last year’s record value, and export value for every fed steer and heifer slaughter remains above $200.“Demand for U.S. beef remains very strong across the globe,” says Wesley Grau, chairman of the Cattleman’s Beef Board and cow/calf producer from Grady, New Mexico.

Senate Agriculture Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow said Wednesday that the farm bill will come to the floor next month after the Senate finishes a measure on equal pay for women. Click here to read the Farm Bill update from the current issue of Progressive Dairyman.