A southwest Minnesota farmer is making progress seeding fall cover crops. Bryan Biegler is a strip-till corn and soybean grower from Lake Wilson. “A lot of our covers have been done (and) seeded already, probably going to have a little bit more to get done yet. Do have some rye that I grow for grain
The vice president of agronomy with Sound Agriculture says taking steps to boost soil biology is key to maximizing nitrogen efficiency in corn. Jeff Divan tells Brownfield, “Fertilizer applied in the mineral form actually needs to typically be broken down and made plant available, and in that proces
Fuel surcharges are helping a southwest Iowa farmer who runs a trucking business. Kelly Garrett grows corn, soybeans, wheat, oats, and has a 1,000-head cow/calf herd. “With the trucking contracts we have we’re maintaining some profitability, and the fuel surcharge we use has really been nice to do t
A grains and oil seeds analyst says recent strength in corn and soybean futures could give farmers a chance to improve their bottom lines. Bree Baatz with Terrain says the counter-seasonal price rally provides producers with some breathing room this fall. “I would be taking a good look at $5.50 corn
A Nebraska farmer says the quality of U.S. corn has helped keep American producers competitive in global markets. Matt Sullivan recently hosted a team of 20 South Korean buyers, end users and business on his farm. “I talked to a couple of buyers, and that was one of my questions. How does U.S. corn
As Western showers shift eastward, beneficial weekend rain will develop across the Plains. By early next week, showers may linger on the central and southern High Plains and should return across the central and southern Rockies. Five-day rainfall totals could reach 1 to 2 inches, with locally higher
USDA has opened enrollment for Ag Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs for the 2026 crop year. The signup period runs through December 11, much later than usual. Bart Fischer with Texas A&M University tells Brownfield that could work to farmers’ advantage, because they have a much clearer
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were lower, watching direct business develop, ahead of Friday’s Cattle on Feed report from the USDA. October live cattle closed $2.80 lower at $215.65 and December live cattle closed $3.95 lower at $216.25. October feeder cattle closed $5.27
USDA’s Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation says more than 30 million new base acres have been added to this year’s crop safety net programs. Richard Fordyce tells Brownfield, “It’s been over 20 years since we’ve had any kind of an opportunity to add base acres really to farms.” “We’r
An ag economist says the latest increase in interest rates could put added financial pressure on farmers ahead of harvest. David Widmar with Agricultural Economic Insights says many producers are already struggling to stay afloat. “Inflation has a big impact on the broader economy,” he says. “It’s j
The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association has set its state policy priorities for 2027. CEO Bryan Whaley tells Brownfield the association’s policy package focuses on strengthening the state’s cattle industry by creating opportunities for the next generation of producers. “They have a significant struggle to
Soybeans were narrowly mixed. Contracts were down early, rallied with a higher move in meal, but as those gains eased, the gains in soybeans did as well. Meal futures were supported by crush margins, demand expectations, and product spread trade, while bean oil was pressured by that spread trade and
The director of climate change and rural strategies with the Institute for Agriculture & Trade Policy says the fertilizer industry is once again utilizing global crises to its benefit. During a recent webinar, Ben Lilliston says an analysis of industry profits during the last major price spike at th
The director of the Missouri State Fair says this year’s 11-day event had strong participation in agriculture and livestock events. Jason Moore tells Brownfield there were more than 29,000 entries in livestock and competitive exhibits, in line with last year, and more than 3,000 youth exhibitors. “A
Dec. corn $5.30 and 1/2, down 3 and 3/4 centsNov. soybeans $13.19 and 3/4, down 3/4 centOct. soybean meal $368.70, up $7.80Oct. soybean oil 68.68, down 51 pointsDec. Chicago wheat $7.27, down 3 and 3/4 centsOct. live cattle $215.65, down $2.80Oct. feeder cattle $324.37, down $5.27Oct. lean hogs $78.
A Minnesota cow-calf producer is voicing her concerns about beef imports to members of Congress. Ellie Trout and her family farm in Itasca County and she joined members of Minnesota Farm Bureau during a recent legislative fly-in to Washington D.C. “My big push was to talk about beef imports. As a be
The National Agricultural Law Center says farm bankruptcies are on pace to increase in 2026. Senior staff attorney Elizabeth Rumley tells Brownfield, “At the halfway point of 2026, ag bankruptcies have already reached 61% of the total number recorded in all of 2025. That would be 288 Chapter 12s in
The Propane Education and Research Council says some farmers are looking for alternative fuel sources to reduce energy input costs. Mike Newland says propane has remained relatively stable over the last two years. “Somebody said I would bring you all you want for a $1.49. Some other retailers were f
A health and wellness expert says the return of 2 percent and whole milk in schools this fall could help support student growth and development. Hanna Kelley with the American Dairy Association Indiana says having additional options helps build healthy eating habits. “Just having the flexibility is
A southeast Kansas farmer says plentiful rainfall this summer helped contribute to an incredible corn harvest. “We were probably at 150 to 200 bushels, but our average was up there.” Ben Bellar tells Brownfield at the end of April it was dry. “But, then we kept getting rain. We never had too much ri
An extension corn agronomist says an early start to harvest should help the 2027 crop get off on the right foot. Jeff Coulter with the University of Minnesota says a dry end to the growing season accelerated crop development. “We’ve got plenty of time this fall to get the harvest done it seems like
Direct cash cattle trade activity is quiet again. There were a handful of deals reported on Wednesday in the North, but not enough business to establish an accurate price trend for the week. Bids have resurfaced at $224 live in the South and $342 to $350 dressed in the North. More business is needed
University of Kentucky ag economist Kenny Burdine says all eyes will be on placements, especially after last month’s surprise. “There’s not going to be enough cattle imports from Mexico through Douglas (Arizona) to really show up and move the needle, I don’t think, on that August placement,” he says
Cash dairy prices were mixed Thursday at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Dry whey was up $0.01 to $0.7725. One sale was reported at $0.77. Forty-pound cheese blocks were down $0.01 to $1.4225. No sales were reported. Cheese barrels were unchanged at $1.4525. No sales were reported. Butter was down
U.S. meat export sales were up on the week. The USDA says beef sales during the week ending September 10th were larger than the previous week and above average thanks to improved demand from several key customers including South Korea and Mexico. Pork had a week-to-week improvement, with Mexico and
Wyffels Hybrids and Brownfield are teaming up to celebrate the next generation of rural leaders through the Wyffels Corn Belt Award and Scholarship. The program recognizes high school seniors in Indiana, Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin who demonstrate outstanding character,
Some Nebraska farm groups would like to see the Governor’s administration reduce the state’s budget deficit without significant impacts to producers. Jim Pillen says his administration doesn’t have plans to eliminate sales tax exemptions for some ag products. “Nobody has talked about taxing ag input
An ag economist says Extension specialists are identifying how to bridge the gap between available innovations and the needs of specialty crop growers in the Great Lakes region. Michigan State University’s Tor Tolhurst tells Brownfield, “It’s very helpful that these new technologies are being develo
U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley suggests partisan politics remain a stumbling block for the farm bill. The Iowa Republican has been in Congress more than 50 years and tells Brownfield this is the first farm bill he’s worked on that’s not bipartisan. “So I think that Thune is going to have to force the i
An east central Illinois agronomist says three straight years of corn leaf aphid infestations in the Corn Belt means growers need to start managing for the pests. Kris Ehler, who’s based in Champaign County, tells Brownfield, “If we’ve got a hybrid that we feel is one of those magnets for aphids, my
