While the conflict between Russia, Ukraine and other countries continues to unfold in a tense atmosphere, its impacts are already being felt all over the globe.
Here is a collection of articles to keep you informed about the markets, fertilizer industries, trade system, etc.
Russia and Ukraine
Rebuilding resilience has the USTR very busy these days, according to U.S. Trade Representative’s Ambassador Katharine Tai. “The pandemic was a major shock to the (trade) system,” Tai says. “And, what we are seeing between Russia and Ukraine is another shock to the system.”
The U.S. has been through wars, pandemics and natural disasters before. However, this makes it imperative that we innovate from our stakeholders and economy, a U.S. trade official said.
As Russia pounds Ukraine’s capital Friday, rushing tankers and soldiers toward toppling the government in Kyiv (Kiev), civilians are scattering for shelter, companies are shutting down, and public transportation is scarce.
Iurii Mykhailov is a Kyiv resident who contributes to Successful Farming. He reports from the front lines of war.
Fertilizer
Madelyn Ostendorf, editor, covers the fertilizer industry.
The U.S. imports most potash from Canada, where 39% of the world’s potash is produced. However, 7.8% of our potash comes from Russia. Russia is a key player in the global markets and sanctions on Russia have an impact on markets. Jason Troendle, director market intelligence research at The Fertilizer Institute, said that sanctions on Russia have a ripple affect on markets.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine this week might drive up the costs of farm fertilizers globally — which nearly quadrupled last year in price in the United States and remain high — and presents an opportunity for unscrupulous companies to artificially inflate those prices further, according to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.
Markets
Laurie Bedord interviews Angie Setzer, cofounder of Consus, LLC, to discuss the situation in Ukraine, and its long- and short-term effects on agriculture.
“Today changed a lot of things,” Setzer says of yesterday’s invasion of Ukraine by Russia. “We have become a different world, and it’s impossible not to think of all the implications this is having and could have on our country. The global markets are already reflecting that.”
Crops
Editor Gil Gullickson writes on planning for herbicides in the coming year.
Talk to your chemical retailer. Learn from your local land-grant universities about weed control guidelines. A plan B or C is the best option for farmers to deal with the 2022 herbicide shortages. This is according to Bill Johnson, Purdue University Extension specialist.
It’s a difficult situation, since old standby chemicals are most impacted by shortages.
Livestock
One cow can drink 1 to 2 two gallons of water per 100 pounds of body weight every day. In the summer heat, or if the cow’s lactating, multiply that number. It’s important to have a big enough watering tank so every animal can get the water it needs.
Editor Jodi Henke interviews Brad White, a professor at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University and director of the Beef Cattle Institute, about this topic.
Source: Successful Farming
