Category: Ag News

An ag policy professor is concerned the reputation of the U.S. as an exporter is being irreparably harmed by trade disputes started by the Trump Administration. Jonathan Coppess at the University of Illinois says the world is watching as the President damages relationships with long time partners like Canada and Mexico.  And he says a …

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Hay challenges abound for Missouri producers. With the near constant rain, MU Extension forage specialist Craig Roberts tells Brownfield Ag News, “By the time our hay was cut this year it was too mature, so there’s some mature hay put up. There’s some hay that will be put up that will be moldy. Also, we …

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Commentary. In recent weeks I’ve received emails, texts and phone calls inquiring about my interest in sponsoring banners, trophies and/or offering cash donations for prize money for various competitions at county and state fairs and other events.  Some of those inquiries were for a sponsorship from Brownfield and others were requesting financial support from our …

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US Meat Export Federation economist Erin Borror says there could be a workaround so US pork headed into China no longer faces tariffs. She says Chinese importers are preparing applications for waivers on import tariffs for more than 700 goods imported from the US.  “Beef and pork were on the eligible products list,” she says.  …

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At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live cattle futures closed higher on carry over support from feeder cattle and increased demand expectations.  Feeder cattle closed sharply higher on higher demand and the day’s lower move in corn.  August live cattle closed $2.12 higher at $105.37 and October live cattle closed $1.70 higher at $106.55.  August feeder …

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Dairy economists expect forage quality issues and rising grain prices to impact milk production in the Upper Midwest and Northeast. “Corn is now $4.50 a bushel, way up, and soybeans so we’re looking at higher feed costs and farmers have culled more cows, less heifers—you’re not looking at any big expansion in milk production this …

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A survey by the American Federal Government Employees says nearly 70 percent of the USDA’s Economic Research Service say they will leave the agency instead of moving to Kansas City. The transition from Washington D.C. to Kansas City would move more than 550 jobs. The ERS along with employees of the National Institute of Food …

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A farm management specialist says prevented plant is the most confusing crop insurance product but it’s helping farmers get through this year. “Most farmers that are taking large amounts of prevent plant payments will have low to even negative net incomes.”     Gary Schnitkey with the University of Illinois tells Brownfield USDA’s Risk Management Agency has …

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As the season grows shorter, a well-known crop specialist has been recommending against drastically changing maturity. Fred Below at the University of Illinois tells Brownfield Ag News he got many questions about shifting to faster maturing varieties. “If they would be normally growing a 114-day corn hybrid, do they go to a 95,” said Below …

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The USDA’s National Agriculture Statistics Service (NASS) is considering the possibility of re-surveying planted acreage numbers. The latest survey of planted acres and acres left to plant was done the first couple of weeks in June when many farmers hadn’t yet planted because of weather. The USDA will look at the percent of unplanted acres …

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Brownfield Anchor/Reporter Amie Simpson will be on the ground in Indianapolis July 9 for the Indiana State Board of Animal Health meeting. Continue reading Indiana State Board of Animal Health meeting at Brownfield Ag News.      

Establishing ground cover is an effective conservation practice, but a soil health specialist reminds farmers that isn’t the only step to improve soil health. In this Managing for Profit, Doug Peterson with the Natural Resources Conservation Service will highlight the benefits of good aggregate stability and outline the best practices to consider for the health …

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The Kansas City Star says the appropriations bill that passed the Democrat-controlled House this afternoon contains no funding for the USDA to move two of its agencies to the Kansas City area. An amendment to strike language in the bill prohibiting the relocation of the ERS and NIFA failed. The bill awards funding for the …

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At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live cattle futures ended the day mostly higher ahead of widespread direct cash business and steady retail beef prices.  Feeder cattle futures closed mostly lower on long-term demand concerns and the mixed corn trade.  August live cattle closed $.82 higher at $103.25 and October live cattle closed $.82 higher at …

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A forage specialist says the wet start to the year has impacted alfalfa production and quality, and dairy producers may need to consider alternative forages. Keith Johnson is an Extension specialist with Purdue University.  “One that I think about that might work is planting a late to mature soybean that would give a good quality …

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Brownfield Anchor/Reporter Mark Dorenkamp will be the moderator for a National ag policy forum held during Minnesota Farmfest in Redwood Falls on August 6, 2019. Continue reading National ag policy forum at Minnesota Farmfest at Brownfield Ag News.      

The working capital of U.S. farmers is very low, according to the USDA Economic Research Service. Brent Gloy with Agricultural Economic Insights says he was surprised by the low number which is $38-Billion dollars for 2019. Although the report did not take into account the recent rise in commodity prices or the upcoming trade mitigation …

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African Swine Fever continues to spread across China wreaking havoc on its hog herd, sending live hog prices in the country soaring.  US Meat Export Federation economist Erin Borror says prices are at their highest levels since 2016.  “Seeing that price finally start to move up again is a signal that hog numbers are indeed …

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Brownfield Anchor/Reporter Amie Simpson will be in Indianapolis July 19, dipping ice cream as a Celebrity Scooper for the 2019 for the American Dairy Association of Indiana 30th annual Ice Cream Social benefitting Second Helpings. Continue reading American Dairy Association of Indiana 30th annual Ice Cream Social at Brownfield Ag News.      

The Kansas wheat harvest is off to a slow start. The crop has been slow to mature this year. And now heavy rains in south-central Kansas are creating further delays and quality concerns says Marsha Boswell with the Kansas Wheat Commission. “Those drown out spots are obviously affecting yield because they’re not going to be …

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