Ag News
Minnesota farmer anticipates tighter margins in 2024
Most farmers expect profits to be more elusive in 2024. Rob Tate grows corn and soybeans near Cannon Falls in southeast Minnesota and says corn futures have weakened considerably. “Last year we had a spring [Read More…]
CHS reports record earnings in consecutive years
The nation’s largest agricultural cooperative has earned record profits two years running. CHS CEO Jay Debertin says fiscal 2023 earnings totaled $1.9 billion. “Last year was a record at $1.7 (billion) and this year $1.9 [Read More…]
Chronic Wasting Disease 101
On this week’s episode of Outdoor Adventures, Jason Isabelle with the Missouri Department of Conservation discusses some of the efforts from MDC to combat and manage Chronic Wasting Disease in whitetail deer. PODCAST: Jason Isabelle [Read More…]
Cash will be king as higher interest rates continue
The chief agricultural economist with Wells Fargo says cash is king in a time of high interest rates. “It gives you the opportunity to set your own course.” The Federal Reserve has raised benchmark interest [Read More…]
Northern Wisconsin harvest slowly gaining momentum
The harvest is gaining momentum for northern Wisconsin farmers. Ben Augustine grows row crops and dairy forage near Sheldon. He says his 455 acres of soybeans are now in the bin. “I averaged low 50s [Read More…]
Farmers prepare for higher rental rates in 2024
A farm business management coach and attorney in eastern South Dakota says land rental rates are increasing with farmland values. Clint Fischer tells Brownfield, “I’m seeing some increases in the 10% range for those coming [Read More…]
Lower corn prices might stick around awhile
A grain market analyst isn’t optimistic corn prices will improve much before next spring. “The numbers are just not there.” Richard Brock with Brock Associates says USDA’s November Supply and Demand report was a game [Read More…]
Diversifying exports creates value for producers
The outgoing chairman of the US Meat Export Federation says strong exports help add value to US beef, pork, and lamb. Dean Meyer,a corn, soybean, and livestock producer from Iowa says it isn’t just exports [Read More…]
From planting through harvest
Last month Brownfield spoke with north Iowa farmer Casey Schlichting as he harvested corn. He talked about yield, crop moisture, and how John Deere equipment and technology bring value to his operation. He says Deere’s [Read More…]
Gov’t funding deadline close, farm bill extension might be too
The deadline for Congress to fund the U.S. government is one week away and the CEO of the National Association of Wheat Growers says there hasn’t been much progress. Chandler Goule says many appropriations bills [Read More…]
USDA keeps ’23 all milk price, raises ’24 projection
USDA has lowered its projections for 2023 milk production. In the November Supply and Demand Report, USDA says cow numbers were revised lower in the last Milk Production Report and milk-per-cow growth slowed in the [Read More…]
CME milk futures lower, cash dairy mostly higher Thursday
Milk futures were mostly lower and the cash dairy markets were higher except butter Thursday on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. November Class III milk was down $0.03 at $17.12. December was down $0.09 at $17.04. January was down $0.07 at $17.15. [Read More…]
Direct cash cattle business picks up Thursday
Chicago Mercantile Exchange live and feeder cattle futures were down sharply on fund liquidation and sharply lower than a week ago direct cash business. The USDA says beef export sales were 13,600 tons, down 21% [Read More…]
Tar spot confirmed again in eastern South Dakota
A plant pathologist with South Dakota State University Extension says tar spot was present in the state again this year. Madalyn Shires says after scouting many counties in eastern South Dakota, it was confirmed in [Read More…]
Bearish outlook for U.S. ag exports to China
A geopolitical expert predicts Chinese demand for U.S. ag exports will fade in the next decade. Jacob Shapiro is the director of geopolitical analysis for investment firm Cognitive Investments and the kick-off speaker for the [Read More…]
Russia strikes vessel in Black Sea, shipments continue
An ag economist says tensions remain high in the Black Sea Region. Allendale chief strategist Rich Nelson says a recent report indicates Russia attacked a ship near a port in Ukraine’s Odesa region. “The trade [Read More…]
Hinson backs Farm to Fly Act
A U.S. Representative from Iowa says more clarity is needed for the development of sustainable aviation fuels. Republican Ashley Hinson tells Brownfield that’s why she’s supporting the Farm to Fly Act. “What we heard over [Read More…]
USDA releases new Specialty Crop Competitiveness Initiative
The USDA has announced enhanced efforts to support growers through the Specialty Crop Competitiveness Initiative. Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small says the process started with a department-wide audit of how it currently supports the sector. [Read More…]
U.S. House Ag Committee dives deep into H-2A issues
A bipartisan U.S. House Ag Committee working group has released an interim report that digs into the challenges of the H-2A guest worker program. Co-chair Rick Crawford of Arkansas tells Brownfield the group is narrowly [Read More…]
CONAB increases Brazil soybean crop guess
Brazil’s equivalent of the USDA has raised its expectations for soybean production, while lowering the outlook for corn. That world record large soybean production projection is despite ongoing weather issues in some areas. CONAB currently [Read More…]