Ag News
Tariffs expected to beat already depressed milk prices
Analysts say dairy farmers could be further into the red for the remaindered of the year if dairy tariffs go into effect this week. National Milk Producers Federation economists say Mexico’s retaliatory tariffs on most [Read More…]
Weekly ethanol production holds near recent highs
U.S. ethanol production backed off a little last week but stayed near the 2018 highs. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says production averaged 1.067 million barrels a day, down 5,000 on the week, but still [Read More…]
Interest rates to farmers up 1.5% since end of 2015
The latest quarterly report by the Federal Reserve shows ag bankers are slowly raising interest rates on operating loans to farmers. Lenders charged an average rate of nearly 5 percent this spring, up from 3.5 [Read More…]
Rain dampens hope for good yields in SW Minnesota
Extreme rainfall is dampening hopes for good crop yields in southwest Minnesota. University of Minnesota extension educator David Bau is based in Worthington, and says the area has seen close to a foot of rain [Read More…]
Minnesota Pork CEO calls for resolution to trade disputes
Farm groups continue to call for resolution on trade disputes. David Preisler, CEO of the Minnesota Pork Producers, tells Brownfield American pig farmers have been hit hard by retaliatory tariffs from China and Mexico. “Now [Read More…]
Tariffs set to go into effect
Tariffs on $34 billion in Chinese goods are set to go into effect tomorrow, and China has said it will retaliate immediately with equal tariffs on US goods, including soybeans and cars. In a recent [Read More…]
Lake Springfield Watershed Soil Health Field Day.
Brownfield’s Tom Steever will be in Auburn, IL on July 26, 2018 for the Lake Springfield Watershed Soil Health Field Day. Continue reading Lake Springfield Watershed Soil Health Field Day. at Brownfield Ag News.
Transitioning to group housing of sows
At the recent World Pork Expo, we stopped by the Nedap Livestock Management booth to visit with pork producers who own and/or manage facilities that have converted from gestation stalls to group sow housing. On [Read More…]
Policy expert says Conservation Stewardship Program needed in final farm bill
A University of Illinois farm policy expert says the House and Senate conference committee should preserve the Conservation Stewardship Program in the final farm bill. Jonathon Coppess leads the Garner Agriculture Policy Program and the Bock [Read More…]
Renk Seed Field Day
Brownfield Anchor/Reporter Larry Lee will be on the ground at Renk Seed Field Day on August 28, 2018 in Sun Prairie, WI. Continue reading Renk Seed Field Day at Brownfield Ag News.
Fourth of July heat, humidity across the Heartland
Across the Corn Belt, above-normal temperatures continue to promote a rapid pace of crop development. On July 1, progress for U.S. corn (17% silking) and soybeans (27% blooming) were significantly ahead of the respective 5-year [Read More…]
Ways to increase cash flow
As farmers continue to operate within a tight margin environment, a business consultant with Compeer Financial says there are a few areas worth looking at that could lead to better profits. Matt Lange has put [Read More…]
Farm data a valuable tool for managing finances
A farm financial official says the value of ag data goes beyond the production information it provides. Glenn Wachtler with Compeer Financial tells Brownfield lenders can use data to help farmers make equipment purchases, investment [Read More…]
Hot weather for much of the Nation
A brief surge of cool air will fully overspread the Plains by Thursday and reach the remainder of the central and eastern U.S. by week’s end. Meanwhile, heat will build across the West. In [Read More…]
Economy, weather will ‘make it tough on a number of farmers’
Some corn and soybean fields have a yellow appearance resulting from too much rain. The precipitation overabundance has leached nitrogen away from the reach of corn roots. In the case of soybeans, east central South [Read More…]
Hog futures higher ahead of trade uncertainty
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, cattle futures closed mostly higher on buyer interest, ahead of this week’s direct business. The narrowing Choice/Select spread indicates there is more available Choice beef as demand is falling behind. [Read More…]
Webinar to address dairy farmer stress
Extension educators in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin are preparing to help dairy farmers recognize and manage stress. Jennifer Bentley with Iowa State tells Brownfield they are hosting a series of webinars starting July 10th. [Read More…]
Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: July 3, 2018
Jul. corn closed at $3.42 and 3/4, up 5 and 1/4 cents Jul. soybeans closed at $8.43 and 1/4, down 5 and 1/4 cents Jul. soybean meal closed at $328.60, down 90 cents Jul. soybean oil closed at 28.70, down 7 points Jul. wheat [Read More…]
“This is really disheartening”
Canada’s tariffs that began this week on American goods, including beef products, are another trade concern for farmers’ bottom line. “Small and mid-sized farmers just can’t afford this increased in costs at any level,” says Casey [Read More…]
Senator says there is a short window to address tariffs
An Indiana senator says there is a very short window to address tariffs and the negative impact they have on farmers as harvest approaches. Joe Donnelly says he spoke with President Trump about those concerns [Read More…]