Ag News

Dairy operator pleased with Plenish soybeans
A young, Wisconsin dairyman says Plenish soybeans from Pioneer are causing him to alter his operation. Evan Schrauth from Cloven View Holsteins in Fond du Lac County says 2024 was his first experience feeding the [Read More…]

Record ag imports push trade deficit to new levels
The USDA has again raised the agriculture trade deficit for 2025 to a record $49 billion as Americans continue to import more products. Ag imports are expected to increase by more than $13 billion above [Read More…]

January USDA price indices up on month
The USDA’s indices of prices received and paid moved higher in January. The index of prices received was up 2.1% from December on gains in cattle, milk, broilers, and market eggs, which canceled out losses [Read More…]

Concerns over NOAA & NWS cuts
The chief science fellow with Nutrien Ag Solutions says staffing cuts at the National Weather Service could have an impact on forecasting capabilities. Eric Snodgrass tells Brownfield, “When you consume weather in the United States, [Read More…]

Cash dairy prices steady to lower Friday
Cash dairy prices were steady to lower Friday on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Dry whey was down $0.0150 at $0.51. No sales were recorded. Forty-pound cheese blocks were down $0.0950 at $1.7750. Four sales were [Read More…]

A-PLUS local meatpacking bill reintroduced
A group of lawmakers is again pushing legislation designed to expand local meat processing options. The Amplifying Processing of Livestock in the United States, or A-PLUS Act, was reintroduced by Representatives Dusty Johnson of South [Read More…]

Sen. Ernst lauds Greer’s USTR confirmation
U.S. Senator Joni Ernst says she’s hopeful new U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer will explore free trade agreements with emerging markets. “We saw absolutely no new trade deals in the previous four years,” she said. [Read More…]

A conservation convert
A central Illinois farmer says a decision to change farming practices ten years ago has made him a conservation convert. Randy Strubhar, who farms in McLean and DeWitt County, says introducing cover crops and no-till [Read More…]

Tariff impacts on U.S. agriculture
With tariffs on Canada and Mexico looming, an economist is concerned about the long-term impacts on agriculture. Ohio State University professor Ian Sheldon says he’s most worried about the U.S. soybean industry. “The rates at which Brazil has [Read More…]

Nebraska farmer says additional moisture needed ahead of growing season
An eastern Nebraska farmer says a lack of moisture could be problematic for spring planting. Tanner Hoffman tells Brownfield dry conditions have been in place for the past two to three months. “I think that [Read More…]

Milder to more seasonal days ahead across the Heartland; a more active pattern too for some
Looking ahead, the 6- to 10-day outlook calls for near- or above-normal temperatures nationwide, except for cooler-than-normal conditions from California to the Four Corners States. Meanwhile, below-normal precipitation in the Rio Grande Valley should contrast [Read More…]

Unseasonably mild, wind-blown weather across the Heartland; colder air poised to the north
Across the Corn Belt, an organized storm system is producing light rain and snow showers in the upper Great Lakes region. Friday’s Midwestern maximum temperatures will remain below 40°F in the upper Great Lakes region—but [Read More…]

Cattle futures end session sharply higher
Chicago Mercantile Exchange live and feeder were up sharply, with feeders in the lead on the lower move in corn. Additionally, boxed beef was firm at midday. There was some expectation for steady to firm [Read More…]

Perseverance paying off
A young Wisconsin dairy farmer says perseverance is paying off. Evan Schrauth from Cloven View Holsteins in Fond du Lack County says he’s always wanted to be a dairyman. “My dad had his own herd [Read More…]

Economist says cattle feeders are facing “maximum financial exposure”
An economist with Iowa Farm Bureau points to an increased risk for cattle producers amid high prices. Christopher Pudenz says his tagline for the feedlot portion of the market is “maximum financial exposure.” “Because I [Read More…]

Dry conditions improve, but deep impacts linger
Missouri’s state climatologist says the above average snowfall this winter recharged some soil moisture, but it hasn’t completely fixed deficit caused by previous drought in the state. Zach Leasor says the three years of drought [Read More…]

A slow cattle herd rebuild
A cattle producer in western Missouri says he’s been slowly rebuilding his cattle herd following several years of drought. Mark Smith tells Brownfield he sold about 25% of his herd in the last two years. [Read More…]

Corn, wheat pressured by USDA expectations
Soybeans were lower on fund and technical selling. The USDA is projecting lower planted area this year and improved demand next marketing year at the annual Ag Outlook Forum. Contracts were up early but wilted [Read More…]

Farmers and ranchers need a farm bill
The president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association says farmers and ranchers need the certainty of a five-year farm bill. Buck Wehrbein of Nebraska told the U.S. Senate Ag Committee during a hearing this week [Read More…]

Dairy margin program is out of date
A sixth-generation dairy farmer says the Dairy Margin Coverage program needs to be updated to better reflect actual milk production in the next farm bill. Vermont’s Harold Howrigan testified this week before the Senate Ag [Read More…]