Articles by nedvedmedia
Minnesota crop progress edges ahead of average despite rain delays
Spring fieldwork is just beginning for southeast Minnesota farmer Ryan Buck. “We’re just kind of getting rolling here, we’ve done a little bit of light tillage on some sod that we picked up on some [Read More…]
Iowa corn planting surges to 14% as farmers hit the fields
A southwest Iowa farmer begins planting this week. Carl Jardon of Randolph says conditions are good. “We did get a little bit of rain last week and it’s dry now, so I think we’re going [Read More…]
Wetness slowing Wisconsin field progress
Most Wisconsin farmers are waiting for the land to dry out before attempting any fieldwork. One of them is Darin Von Ruden, Wisconsin’s Farmers Union President, who farms near Cashton in the driftless region. He [Read More…]
China signals longer-term cuts to ag imports
China’s Ag Ministry says it plans to import fewer soybeans, pork, beef and dairy products in the next decade. Naomi Blohm with Total Farm Marketing says that sends a clear message. “They don’t have to [Read More…]
Missouri FFA advisor retiring: Dietzschold reflects on career
The Missouri State FFA Advisor is retiring after more than 40 years of working in agriculture education. Keith Dietzschold tells Brownfield he never had plans to be an ag teacher, but the 1980s changed that. [Read More…]
Herbicide Considerations
Corteva Agriscience Market Development Specialist, Grant Harms, says growers have a lot to think about when it comes to herbicide applications. He tells Brownfield weed height, rain, and wind speed are just some of the considerations. [Read More…]
Livestock economist says cattle herd expansion remains slow as heifer retention remains limited
A livestock economist says there’s still no indication that there is widespread herd expansion in the cattle industry. Kenny Burdine with the University of Kentucky says, “It’s like we’re waiting for something significant that just kind of been kind of slow to occur.” He says the [Read More…]
New AI platform helping track rising global food insecurity
The director of the International Food Policy Research Institute says a new artificial intelligence platform is helping track global food insecurity. Johan Swinnen says the HungerMapLIVE signals the early warning signs of hunger across the [Read More…]
Mexico remains a key growth market for U.S. beef and pork exports
The chairman of the US Meat Export Federation says Mexico is becoming an increasingly important market for beef and pork exports. Jay Theiler tells Brownfield growth is coming at a critical time, especially after the US lost market access for beef in China. “Having these [Read More…]
USDA grants $9 billion in farmer bridge assistance
USDA’s Deputy Undersecretary says more than $9 billion has been distributed through the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program. Stephen Vaden tells Brownfield, “We have done so on average from receipt of a completed application within three [Read More…]
Historic Minnesota 4-H building set for major modernization
Minnesota 4-H is partnering with the Minnesota State Fair to renovate the 4-H building on the fairgrounds. Minnesota 4-H youth development state director Jennifer Skuza says the $35 million campaign will modernize the 85-year-old three [Read More…]
Soybeans manage modestly higher close on optimism about China trade talks
Soybeans were modestly higher on short covering and technical buying, pulling contracts to a firm week-to-week finish. Contracts were down early but rallied on optimism about the expected U.S./China trade meeting next month. Brazil’s record [Read More…]
Russell: Congress will shape USDA budget
An ag lobbyist says he’s not too concerned about the proposed spending cuts at the USDA for the next fiscal year, because historically “the executive branch proposes and the legislative branch disposes.” Randy Russell with [Read More…]
Cattle, hog futures lower to finish the week
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were lower ahead of the USDA’s Cattle on Feed numbers and watching direct business develop. June live cattle closed $.27 lower at $247.35 and August live [Read More…]
Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: April 17, 2026
May corn $4.48 and 3/4, up 1/4 centMay soybeans $11.67 and 1/4, up 3 and 1/2 centsMay soybean meal $331.80, down 90 centsMay soybean oil 68.16, down 117 pointsMay Chicago wheat $5.91 and 1/4, down [Read More…]
USTR under fire for trade policies affecting farmers, requests 46% budget increase
Lawmakers pressed the U.S. Trade Representative this week over policies they say are hurting American farmers during a U.S. House Appropriations Committee hearing. Indiana Democrat Frank Mrvan confronted Ambassador Jaimeson Greer repeatably about lost soybean [Read More…]
Missouri FFA president reflects on ag diversity, calls members “future of agriculture”
The retiring Missouri State FFA President says she has a greater appreciation for the diversity of Missouri agriculture as her year of service wraps up. Ivy Elwell from La Monte, in central Missouri, tells Brownfield [Read More…]
Ag engineer watches Caterpillar–Monarch deal for AI innovations
An ag engineering professor says he’s watching how Caterpillar potentially integrates technology being acquired from Monarch tractors. Scott Shearer is the Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering chair at Ohio State University. “I’m really [Read More…]
Missouri ag leaders fuel FFA Foundation growth
The director of the Missouri FFA Foundation says Missouri’s ag industry is stepping up to invest in its future workforce. Heather Dimitt-Fletcher tells Brownfield in its first five years, the Missouri FFA Foundation has increased [Read More…]
Boozman says bipartisan “skinny farm bill” taking shape in U.S. Senate
The chairman of the U.S. Senate Ag Committee says he’s confident a “skinny farm bill” will happen this year. John Boozman tells Brownfield he’s working on building support on a bipartisan version of a farm [Read More…]