Ag News
Rising farm machinery and new construction costs impact farmer sentiment
More than seven out of 10 farmers surveyed in the latest Ag Economy Barometer say it’s a bad time to make large investments in their operations. Jim Mintert, director of the Purdue University Center for [Read More…]
National Potato Council wants stronger potato wart management
The National Potato Council says there’s a high probability potato wart could enter the U.S. from Canada without additional mitigation measures. Mike Wenkel tells Brownfield about half of the production areas in the contiguous U.S., [Read More…]
USDA reports average farm size continues to grow
An ag economist says the total number of farms is declining and the size is increasing. The latest Farm and Land and Farms report from the USDA had average farm acres up 1 acre to [Read More…]
FFA members deliver Book Pillows of Hope during National FFA Week
It’s National FFA Week and members across the nation are celebrating and serving in their local communities. Members from the Tri High FFA Chapter in Straughn, Indiana, presented Book Pillows of Hope to the Ronald [Read More…]
Monday’s Top 3: Green, Renewable Energy and Food
It might be the trappings of seeing a new country for the first time, the smell of fresh air after being cramped on an overseas flight or it might be that I’m not used to [Read More…]
Help limit white mold with no-till
A plant pathologist says there is no silver bullet for defeating white mold in soybeans, but there are things farmers can do to slow the spread of the disease. Dr. Damon Smith with the University [Read More…]
Questions abound in Ukraine ahead of planting
Spring planting in Ukraine is a question mark as the war with Russia enters its second year. Dale Durchholz owner of Grain Cycles, tells Brownfield spring planting in Ukraine is a concern partially because of [Read More…]
Building costs complicate grain elevator expansion
Inflation is making it difficult for grain elevators to upgrade and expand. Reed Akre manages Sublette Farmers Elevator in northern Illinois. He tells Brownfield they would like to renovate their current building and put in [Read More…]
U.S. soybean export window closes as corn window opens
Brazil’s record soybean crop is about to have a big impact on the export market. Dale Durchholz, owner of Grain Cycles, tells Brownfield Brazil’s soybean exports are about to pick up steam, “And when they [Read More…]
Farm economy boosted by ethanol industry
The latest Rural Mainstreet Index shows the ethanol industry is strengthening the ag economy. Ernie Goss is an economist with Creighton University. “Nine out of 10 bankers said ethanol is very important to their local [Read More…]
Specialist identifies 3 most troublesome weeds for 2023
A market development specialist for Corteva Agriscience suggests three weeds will give farmers the most problems in 2023. Brad Burkhart is based in the Eastern Corn Belt and tells Brownfield he’s concerned about controlling waterhemp, [Read More…]
Conservation Reserve Program signup begins next week
Farmers and other landowners who want to sign up for the Conservation Reserve Program can do so starting next Monday, February 27th. Wisconsin’s state FSA Director Gene Schriefer says CRP continues to be a great fit [Read More…]
Most troublesome weeds
Farmers are gearing up for the 2023 growing season and Brad Burkhart with Corteva says weed pressure will depend on several factors. But he tells Brownfield three weeds he tends to hear about the most [Read More…]
SD foreign ag land bill advances to full Senate
Some South Dakota ag groups are disappointed the state’s Senate Ag Committee passed a foreign ag land ownership bill out of committee. South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association President and cattle producer Eric Jennings says it’s not [Read More…]
Hunting leases as an income source for farmers
A Midwestern hunting outfitter says hunting leases can be a new potential source of income for producers. Bill Hill, who owns and operates Border Bucks Outfitters in northern Missouri and southern Iowa, talks more about [Read More…]
Specialty Soy and Grain Alliance shows U.S. value to foreign buyers
The Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance says they recently invited 60 foreign buyers to meet U.S. sellers in Hawaii to discuss identity-preserved grains and oilseeds. Executive Director Eric Wenberg tells Brownfield the Asian buyers are [Read More…]
State attorneys general challenge updated WOTUS rule
Twenty-four state attorneys general, including Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, Nebraska, Ohio and South Dakota, say the rule goes beyond the power Congress delegated in the Clean Water Act and raises serious constitutional concerns. Missouri Farm Bureau [Read More…]
FDA names new director of Center for Veterinary Medicine
The Food and Drug Administration has named Tracey Forfa its director of the Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM). Forfa has been the acting director since December of 2022 when Steven Solomon announced his retirement. The [Read More…]
Groups partner to better protect the U.S. from African Swine Fever
State, federal, and industry groups are partnering to better protect the U.S. from African swine fever. Ted McKinney, CEO of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture says NASDA, the USDA, the National Pork [Read More…]
Soybeans, corn end Friday’s session firm
Soybeans were modestly higher on short covering and technical buying, while closing mixed on the week, with losses in the nearby months and gains in deferred contracts. Beans had a mostly mixed session Friday but [Read More…]