Ag News
Reducing food waste in the New Year
In the United States, nearly 60 million tons of food is wasted every year. That is valued at around $218 Billion, yes, that was billion with a b. Kim Galeaz a registered dietitian and nutritionist [Read More…]
HPAI confirmed in two Missouri flocks
The USDA says Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza has been confirmed in two Missouri counties. One positive case is in 10 birds in Butler County, located in southeast Missouri. The other positive case has affected more [Read More…]
Global dairy price increases might help U.S. producers
A market advisor says prices for dairy products on the global market moved higher for the first time since August. Jenny Wackershauser with Ever.ag says, “We’re hoping this is a trend changer and not an [Read More…]
Soybeans, corn give back some of Monday’s gains
Soybeans were lower on profit taking and technical selling, unable to follow through on the early gains. China bought 336,000 tons of 2025/26 U.S. soybeans ahead of the open, about half of what was rumored [Read More…]
Nebraska corn farmer rethinks fungicide use after southern rust damage
A farmer in southeast Nebraska says 2025 delivered a costly lesson about disease management. Logan Bredemeier, who’s a young farmer, says he chose not to apply fungicide to reduce input costs, but southern rust pressure [Read More…]
Expanding E15 use pushes ethanol blend rate to record levels
The chief economist for the Renewable Fuels Association says the U.S. ethanol blend rate hit a record high during the fall. Scott Richman tells Brownfield ethanol accounted for more than 11% of the nation’s gasoline [Read More…]
MSU research targets profitability and growth in controlled environment agriculture
Michigan State University researchers are developing more financial resources to help controlled environment growers succeed. Horticulture economics doctoral student Megan Burritt tells Brownfield, “Everybody is considering, as you’re trying to grow your agricultural commodity entity, [Read More…]
Phosphate fertilizer prices expected to stay high in 2026 as China export limits persist
The vice president of fertilizer with Stone X Group says the price of phosphate fertilizer isn’t likely to fall much in 2026. Josh Linville says China’s restriction of phosphate exports continues to hurt global supplies. [Read More…]
Benavidez named USDA Chief Economist
The USDA has a new chief economist. Dr. Justin Benavidez has been selected to replace the retiring Dr. Seth Meyer. Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins says Benavidez brings strong policy experience, deep roots in production agriculture, [Read More…]
Tractor Supply, National 4-H celebrate Paper Clover campaign raising $25 million
A fifteen-year partnership with the National 4-H Council and Tractor Supply Company has raised more than $25 million to support local 4-H programs nationwide. Jill Bramble, president and CEO of the National 4-H Council, says the [Read More…]
Glufosinate-resistant waterhemp discovery doesn’t surprise agronomist
An extension agronomist says the discovery of glufosinate-resistant waterhemp in the U.S. didn’t come as a surprise. Meaghan Anderson is with Iowa State University and says, “I think we all know that we’ve been on [Read More…]
Iowa farmer says corn yields surprised in 2025
A southwest Iowa farmer is reflecting on what he calls a good 2025 crop year. Mark Peterson tells Brownfield corn yields were a pleasant surprise. “We had another very successful crop year in my mind,” [Read More…]
Limited pasture pushes Minnesota cattle operation to dry-lot strategy
A southwest Minnesota cattle producer says pastureland is difficult to acquire. Ryan Vos and his family operate a 2,000 head feedlot near Hadley. “We are in cropland, it’s funny because pastureland is so non-existent down [Read More…]
Farm safety net changes could lead to higher ARC and PLC payments for farmers this year
The vice president of farm services with NAU Country Insurance says changes to the farm safety net program likely mean more payments coming to farmers later this year. Rich Morrison says the One Big Beautiful [Read More…]
A rather mild, generally tranquil early-January weather for most across the Heartland
Across the Corn Belt, snow in portions of the Great Lakes region—mainly from Minnesota to Michigan—is causing travel disruptions and increasing livestock stress. In contrast, mild, dry weather covers the southern tier of the Corn [Read More…]
Rice, cotton prices stay under pressure
A market analyst says the rice and cotton markets remain under pressure as the New Year begins and it could stay that way awhile. Jamie Wilkerson with RCM Ag Services is based in southeast Arkansas. [Read More…]
Prevent nutrient leaching with conservation practices
A lot of research has been done to prevent nutrient loss by using different conservation practices. Dr. Matt Helmers with Iowa State University says it takes all of the tools and farmers buying into conservation [Read More…]
Allendale analyst sees more soybean acres next season
The director of brokerage for Allendale suggests there could be an increase in soybean acres during the 2026 growing season. Greg McBride tells Brownfield, “We’re still talking about 95 or 94 million acres planted in [Read More…]
ODA says it’s committed to helping preserve the state’s farmland in 2026
The director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture says the agency is committed to preserving the state’s farmland in 2026. Brian Baldridge says a new $1 million grant program will allow county governments to help [Read More…]
The right way to cut costs in 2026
An ag economist at Purdue University says farmers should be considering more than cost when making input decisions for 2026. Michael Langemeier tells Brownfield, “You want to compare the benefits of making a change to the [Read More…]