Articles by nedvedmedia

Poultry production was up sharply in April. The USDA says 4.426 billion pounds of poultry were certified wholesome in April 2024, up 10% from April 2023. That big year-to-year rise was due to a much [Read More…]

Spring planting recently wrapped for an eastern Iowa farmer. Lance Lillibridge says the wetter than expected spring pushed back some of his progress. “I was having concerns about getting planted,” he said. “I guess you [Read More…]

The Senate Ag Committee Chair says farm bill negotiations can start as soon as Republican leaders release their priorities. Michigan Democrat Debbie Stabenow tells Brownfield, “I’ve not seen anything specific from my Ranking Member yet, [Read More…]

Some farmer organizations are teaming up to push for checkoff program reforms.  It’s the Enough is Enough Tour, and members from Farmers Union and Farm Action would like to see some changes in commodity checkoff [Read More…]

Biofuel supporters are still pursuing a long-term fix for year-round E15 sales. The U.S. EPA issued an emergency waiver last month allowing sales of the fuel during the 2024 summer driving season, but U.S. Senator [Read More…]

U.S. Congressman Adrian Smith says the Biden administration needs to pursue more free trade agreements. “The fact of the matter is we have given other countries more access to our market than they have given [Read More…]

Looking ahead, the 6- to 10-day outlook calls for the likelihood of below-normal temperatures in much of the Midwest, while warmer-than-normal weather will dominate northern New England, the Deep South, and the West, excluding areas [Read More…]

One of the biggest challenges fruit and vegetable producers face is access to labor.  Paul Mikesell, founder and CEO of Carbon Robotics says the company’s LaserWeeder uses artificial intelligence to eliminate weeds.  He tells Brownfield [Read More…]

At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were up ahead of widespread direct business and Friday’s USDA cattle on feed report.  June live cattle closed $1.20 higher at $184.17 and August live cattle [Read More…]

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) says large equipment sales figures from April indicates long-term optimism for the ag industry. Curt Blades, senior vice president at AEM, says U.S. sales of large tractors were up [Read More…]

The Director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture says a record number of farmers are investing in conservation projects to maintain or improve soil health.   Don Lamb says the Indiana Conservation Partnership assisted with [Read More…]

The National Association of Food and Agriculture is partnering with Purdue University to fund the Indiana Organic Network to connect growers across the state. Extension specialist, Ashley Adair says this benefits all Indiana farmers. “Having as many [Read More…]

Jul. corn closed at $4.61 and 1/4, up 3 and 1/4 centsJul. soybeans closed at $12.46 and 1/4, up 10 centsJul. soybean meal closed at $378.20, up $5.90Jul. soybean oil closed at 45.88, up 7 [Read More…]

Direct cash cattle trade activity remains quiet.  Bids continue to be elusive.  Asking prices are around $188 to $190 live in the South, but the North has not been established.  Packer inquiry could start picking [Read More…]

Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says he has “deep concerns” about the House Ag Committee’s version of the new farm bill. “It really is designed not to create a route to passage,” he said, “but I [Read More…]

John Deere has confirmed another round of layoffs at its Waterloo, Iowa operations. In a statement to Brownfield, the company said approximately 190 production employees have been placed on indefinite layoff effect June 22. Employees [Read More…]

At least six tornadoes were confirmed in Iowa on Tuesday resulting from a severe weather system that caused catastrophic damage and left multiple people dead. Sergeant Alex Dinkla, public information officer for the Iowa State [Read More…]

Lucas Lentsch, the CEO of United Soybean Board, says it’s evident U.S. soybean farmers take pride in how they grow soybeans and care for the land. In this Checkoff Chat, Lentsch talks more about recent [Read More…]

Storms have damaged numerous farms and communities across the Midwest. Scott Halpin, director of USDA’s Farm Service Agency in Illinois, says farmers who have been impacted need to contact their local FSA office. “Last year, [Read More…]

Looking ahead, the 6- to 10-day outlook calls for the likelihood of near- or above-normal temperatures nationwide, except for cooler-than-normal conditions along portions of the Pacific Coast.  Meanwhile, above-normal precipitation along and east of a [Read More…]