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Drought may lift feedgrains

The U.S. Department of Agriculture continues to make downward adjustments to its estimates of South American corn production — a factor that should bode well for feed barley prices in Western Canada.

In a Jan. 12 bulletin, the USDA reduced its estimate for total Brazilian corn production in the 2022-23 marketing year by one million tonnes to 125.0 million tonnes. That’s down from the USDA’s December estimate of 126 milllion tonnes.

The USDA’s corn production estimate for Argentina has also been reduced five percent from last month’s estimate. It now expects 52 million tonnes, down from 54.7 million tonnes a month earlier.

Average corn yields in Brazil and Argentina are expected to be higher than last year, but prospects for this year’s harvest are being pared down as drought conditions in the two countries continue to affect overall yield potential.

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Dr. Fei Yang Discusses Corn Rootworm, European Corn Borer, and Pest Monitoring

Video: Dr. Fei Yang Discusses Corn Rootworm, European Corn Borer, and Pest Monitoring

What insect threats are Minnesota corn growers facing, and what research is helping farmers stay ahead of them?

At the 2026 MN Ag Expo, University of Minnesota entomologist Fei Yang shared updates on three Minnesota Corn-supported research projects focused on insect monitoring, seed treatments, and pest resistance.

Current work includes statewide monitoring programs that use pheromone, light, and sticky traps to track key pests such as black cutworm, true armyworm, corn earworm, European corn borer, and corn rootworm. Researchers are also evaluating whether high-rate seed treatments provide effective corn rootworm control and studying the development of resistance in European corn borer populations to Bt corn traits.

These projects help researchers better understand pest pressures across Minnesota and provide farmers with practical information to support informed management decisions.