Ag News
August preparations for the upcoming whitetail archery season
On this week’s episode of Brownfield’s Outdoor Adventures, it’s part one of a three-part series featuring Iowa hunter Kent Boucher, host of the First Gen Hunter Podcast. On part one, Kent and I have a [Read More…]
Showing animals helps fair participants learn and grow
Showing animals at the fair is a lot of work, but the rewards can be great. Exhibitors are showing a wide variety of animals at the state fair. One exhibitor is Cora Brandau from Wilton [Read More…]
Wisconsin State Fair helps educate youth long before fair starts
The Wisconsin State Fair began Thursday, but the fair’s agricultural education efforts began long before the gates opened. State Fair CEO Shari Black tells Brownfield the fairgrounds and volunteers hosted Ag Discovery Day in May, where [Read More…]
Pillen asks USDA, Vilsack to update, issue disaster payments without delay
A Midwestern governor is asking Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack to update payments that are made to cattle producers through the Livestock Indemnity Program. In a letter to the Secretary on Friday, Nebraska’s Jim Pillen says [Read More…]
25% of corn and soybean growers continue to expect 2024 cash rental rates to rise
Twenty-five percent of corn and soybean growers continue to expect cash rental rates to rise next year, according to the latest Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer. Jim Minter is the survey’s principal investigator and [Read More…]
Crops hanging on despite dry conditions in Minnesota
An extension educator suggests crops are hanging on despite extreme dryness in parts of Minnesota. Dave Nicolai with the University of Minnesota says corn looks good from the road. “But if you get into some [Read More…]
Rain will benefit cool season grasses
Extension specialists with the University of Missouri say recent rains and short-term August weather forecast should benefit cool season grasses. “I think we’re already starting to see recovery.” Regional Agronomy Specialist Rusty Lee says 40% [Read More…]
Rain improves optimism for Nebraska crops
Central Nebraska farmer Derrick Dibbern says last month’s timely rains provided significant relief for his drought-stress corn and soybeans. “Crop conditions look favorable where we’ve been able to keep up irrigating and where we were [Read More…]
Weather-dependent diseases popping up in WCB
An agronomist says there have been a pair of weather-related diseases starting to emerge in areas of the Western Corn Belt. Trey Stephens with Becks covers Southeast Nebraska. “This year it’s bacterial leaf streaks. It’s [Read More…]
Why fair trade matters to food security
Last month India announced it was banning rice exports on non-basmati white rice. The move, which has been called bad policy by the USA Rice Federation could destabilize rice supplies and add to food insecurity [Read More…]
Dairy groups want more from FDA’s milk alternative proposal
Dairy groups say draft guidance from the Food and Drug Administration on plant-based milk alternatives doesn’t go far enough. Miquela Hanselman with the National Milk Producers Federation tells Brownfield there is consumer confusion about the [Read More…]
Drought carries over into August
A state climatologist says drought is improving in portions of the Corn Belt and worsening in others as August begins. Brian Fuchs with the National Drought Mitigation Center tells Brownfield the U.S. Drought Monitor shows [Read More…]
Diesel prices surge amid oil production cuts
U.S. diesel prices have soared back above the $4 per gallon mark and an ag economist says farmers have some decisions to make. Greg McBride, Director of Brokerage with Allendale, tells Brownfield prices have risen [Read More…]
Corn rootworm management grows in difficulty
A crop specialist says producers need to utilize all tools in the toolbox when battling corn rootworm. Kurt Maertens, technical service representative with BASF, says it starts with crop rotation. “If we can rotate in [Read More…]
Iowa farmer says Japanese beetle management in full swing
An east-central Iowa farmer says Japanese beetles have been feeding on his corn and soybean crops. Dallas Tomlinson farms south of Waterloo near Traer. “I don’t know how much of an impact they can have, [Read More…]
Senator Grassley says Senate farm bill debate could get pushed into October
U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa says he doesn’t anticipate the Senate marking up its version of the 2023 Farm Bill until after the current legislation expires in September. “It probably will be early October,” [Read More…]
Hog futures pressured by long-term demand concerns
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were lower, waiting for widespread direct cash business. October live cattle closed $1.32 lower at $180.50 and December lives closed $1.02 lower at $184.60. September feeders [Read More…]
MSU studying conservation effectiveness in Great Lakes
Additional state funding will help researchers at Michigan State University continue to study the impact of conservation practices on the Great Lakes. Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering researcher Ehsan Ghane tells Brownfield water management is just [Read More…]
Tar spot’s rapid spread west continues
A crop specialist with BASF says weather can dictate where tar spot develops. Gary Schmitz tells Brownfield the disease is becoming more prevalent in areas of the Western Corn Belt. “Where we have wetter weather, [Read More…]
CRP, market competition, crop insurance, among farm bill listening session topics
Competition for farmland, market concentration, and protecting the crop safety net were among issues brought forward during a farm bill listening session hosted by House Agriculture Committee chair Glenn “GT” Thompson in southwest Minnesota Wednesday. [Read More…]