Articles by nedvedmedia
Fall fertilizer applications a boost for some Iowa farmers
An extension agronomist who covers southeast and east central Iowa says most farmers in her area are in good shape with fertilizer. Rebecca Vittetoe with Iowa State University tells Brownfield a lot of manure gets [Read More…]
Soybeans see gains after lower than expected acreage estimate
Soybeans were higher on short covering and technical buying, along with the weakness in the dollar during the session. The USDA expects soybean planted area to be up 4% on the year, which was towards [Read More…]
Cattle futures higher ahead of the week’s direct business
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were higher, optimistic about the week’s business. April live cattle closed $3.47 higher at $243.02 and June live cattle closed $3.07 higher at $243.27. April feeder [Read More…]
Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: March 31, 2026
May corn $4.57 and 3/4, up 2 centsMay soybeans $11.71, up 11 and 1/4 centsMay soybean meal $316.40, up $1.50May soybean oil 68.88, up 41 pointsMay Chicago wheat $6.16 and 1/4, up 9 and 1/4 [Read More…]
Sorghum acres at least partially impacted by drought in Plains
Sorghum planted area is projected to decline in 2026. The USDA expects 6.12 million acres of to be planted to sorghum this year, down 8% from last year. Ongoing drought in the Plains likely had [Read More…]
Ag leaders urge lawmakers to support Michigan Animal Agriculture Alliance research
Michigan livestock industry leaders are asking state lawmakers to keep funding the Michigan Alliance for Animal Agriculture. Michigan State University AgBioResearch Director George Smith says the goal of the program is to advance the animal [Read More…]
Farmers face rising input costs and financial pressure
A northeast Nebraska farmer says many growers are facing unprecedented financial uncertainty this spring. “We’re all in this panic and pressure mode.” Anne Meis says she’s increasingly worried about the price and availability of some [Read More…]
Looking Back on Twenty Years of Service
Minnesota farmer Bill Zurn has served on the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council for more than 20 years, and as he prepares to step down this summer, he says the checkoff has made a [Read More…]
Ag banker’s advice for farmers during down economy
The economy is hitting rural America hard, and some sectors, like crop farmers, are struggling more than others. Ag Banker Chris Schneider says producers need to continue to fine-tune their operations, especially when margins are [Read More…]
Lender: Keep fine-tuning finances
An agricultural banker says most farmers are navigating through today’s economic challenges, but it’s more difficult for some. Chris Schneider from Nicolet National Bank tells Brownfield the effect on operating loans has been consistent. “You [Read More…]
Fordyce: farmer bridge sign-up strong as farmers use aid for inputs
The Under Secretary of Farm Production and Conservation at the USDA says the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program sign-up is going well, with more than half a million farmers expected to participate. “Right now, we’re over [Read More…]
Crop protection tools under scrutiny
The executive director of government relations with GROWMARK says crop protection tools are coming under increasing fire in state legislatures across the country. Chuck Spencer says the agricultural cooperative supports the process of the U.S. EPA. [Read More…]
Corn down, with soybeans and wheat mixed ahead of Tuesday’s USDA numbers
Soybeans were mixed, mostly modestly lower. Contracts were up early as crush demand continues to be strong, soybean oil demand for biodiesel use looks bullish, and crude oil was higher during the session. However, late [Read More…]
Michigan Corn says new RVOs could lift state efforts to expand biofuel markets
The head of the Michigan Corn Growers Association says Friday’s renewable fuel announcement brings market expansions that farmers desperately needed. Scott Piggott tells Brownfield, “The National Corn Grower Association estimated last year that every corn farmer on [Read More…]
Experts warn that declining U.S. ag research investments could threaten global food security by 2050
A pair of ag economists say declining investment in U.S. ag research and development could have an impact on global food security in the future. Vincent Smith with the American Enterprise Institute says he’s concerned [Read More…]
Planting report preview: soybean acres up, corn down
The director of the University of Missouri’s Food and Ag Policy Research Institute says there’s been widespread consensus the U.S. farmer will plant more soybeans and less corn for the upcoming growing season. But Seth [Read More…]
Farm economy struggles persist despite aid, strong livestock prices
An ag economist says U.S. farmers and ranchers are searching for positive news. Ernie Goss with Creighton University says weakness in the farm sector has been increasing. “A positive would be that $12 billion (in [Read More…]
Getting Ahead of Weeds
Corteva Agriscience Market Development Specialist, Dennis Holland, says pre-emergent weed control is an important topic for growers. He tells Brownfield that controlling weeds before they emerge is imperative for farmers and their bottom line. The [Read More…]
Soybeans and corn lower on Friday
Soybeans closed lower, giving back some of the gains from earlier in the week. The market remains very sensitive to any trade news, especially as it relates to China. Soybean oil also turned lower on [Read More…]
Rotary milking parlors are gaining in popularity
A dairy equipment supplier says more producers are considering rotary parlors when upgrading. Andy Lenkatis with GEA tells Brownfield the move to rotary milking parlors is about efficiency for employees and consistency for the cows. [Read More…]