Now that the U.S. government is funded through mid-December, an ag lobbyist says the U.S. Senate has time to work on a farm bill. Randy Russell with The Russell Group tells Brownfield he’s optimistic about the vote that’s expected again in the Senate Ag Committee when senators return next week, as t
It’s a typical quiet start to direct cash cattle trade activity in this holiday shortened week. Bids and asking prices have yet to surface. Look for significant trade volume to hold out until sometime Thursday or Friday. Last week dressed deals in the North were at $344 to $345, steady to $1 lower t
A United Soybean Board member says farmers can help demonstrate the quality of U.S. soy as the industry works to expand global markets. Brent Rendel from Oklahoma tells Brownfield farmers are encouraged to submit soybean samples at harvest through the checkoff’s annual quality survey. “We provide th
A pair of ag economists with the University of Illinois say input costs are likely to continue to limit farmer profitability next season. During a recent FarmDoc webinar, Gary Schnitkey says updated projections show the potential for positive margins in 2027. “We are cautiously optimistic that retur
Across the Corn Belt, a well-defined cold front extends southwestward from the Great Lakes region. Showers and thunder-storms in the vicinity of the front stretch from Michigan to southeastern Nebraska. Across the frontal boundary, mild weather in the upper Midwest contrasts with lingering heat and
Looking ahead, the 6- to 10-day outlook calls for the likelihood of near- or below-normal temperatures along and northwest of a line from central California to Lake Huron, while warmer-than-normal weather will prevail in the southern half of the U.S., as well as much of the Northeast and lower Midwe
Hurricane Lowell will continue to weaken and move away from Hawaii, after grazing Kauai County overnight. Agricultural impacts on Kauai and Niihau related to flash flooding and hurricane-force wind gusts (74 mph or greater) could include damage to bananas, papayas, guavas, passion fruit, vegetables,
In this Managing for Profit, third-generation no-till farmer Blaine Baker discusses hosting 30 years of community conservation research plots to study what works for producers in the Western Lake Erie Basin. The post Three decades of trialing conservation practices appeared first on Brownfield Ag Ne
Creating opportunities for the next generation of cattle producers “If we’re going to increase our cow herds, we need to figure out a way to move properties from one generation to the next generation.” Nebraska Cattlemen President Craig Uden says he’d like to see a tax incentive that helps landowner
Many farmers are putting together crop nutrition programs for 2026. Andrew Tucker with Loveland Products says macronutrients will be an important part of fall and spring applications. “Looking at phosphorous, potassium, nitrogen applications, but really encouraging guys to look at the rest of the pr
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live cattle were lower, feeders were mixed waiting on direct business ahead of the long holiday weekend. October live cattle closed $1.35 lower at $212.95 and December live cattle closed $1.40 lower at $214.72. October feeder cattle closed $.95 lower at $320.15 an
A farm succession specialist says setting aside regular time for transfer planning can make decisions about an operation’s future more manageable. Joy Kirkpatrick is with the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension. “We have a lot of baby boomers who are at a retirement age or as we sa
Many farmers are putting together crop nutrition programs for 2026. Andrew Tucker with Loveland Products says macronutrients will be an important part of fall and spring applications. “Looking at phosphorous, potassium, nitrogen applications, but really encouraging guys to look at the rest of the pr
Soybeans were lower on profit taking and technical selling. There was no change in weather, with parts of the region expected to stay hot and dry into the coming week. Some areas could see rain and there’s a chance for temperatures to moderate, but that rain is expected to light overall and temperat
President Trump has signed a pair of executive orders that address market access and competition for America’s farmers and ranchers. During a signing ceremony on Friday, the President said the goal is to improve the financial viability of producers. “The livestock industry has been ripped off by a m
Dec. corn $5.36 and 3/4, down 4 centsNov. soybeans $13.09 and 3/4, down 6 and 1/2 centsOct. soybean meal $348.20, down 40 centsOct. soybean oil 68.89, down 74 pointsDec. Chicago wheat $7.34, down 20 and 1/4 centsOct. live cattle $212.95, down $1.35Oct. feeder cattle $320.15, down 95 centsOct. lean h
John Deere See & Spray product marketing manager Zach Becker says See & Spray Gen 2 has been released for model year 2027 machines and features a new hardware set that provides a higher resolution camera as well as front-mounted cameras. “And then starts to incorporate the success from See & Spray S
An ag economist with American Farm Bureau says record production costs in USDA’s September Farm Income Report reflect how much net farm income is eroding. Faith Parum tells Brownfield, “We continue to see a downturn in the farm economy and production expenses continue to increase.” The USDA is proje
An ag economist with the University of Illinois says the recent rally in the commodity markets could impact crop insurance payouts this year. During a recent FarmDoc webinar, Gary Schnitkey says if prices remain at current levels or higher through October, insurance payments will decline. “We’ll hav
A Michigan farmer says sporadic rain during the growing season has cut the top end off corn yield expectations. Matt Frostic tells Brownfield, “In June, I think we had the highest rating corn conditions in the nation, and then we’ve went from that down to I think around 60 percent good to excellent.
A senior meteorologist at BAM Weather says a strengthening El Niño weather pattern could limit harvest windows this fall. Brett Walts says parts of the Corn Belt that saw access rainfall this summer could continue to see wetter conditions. “It ended up being a battle between drought conditions and t
The executive director of Indianapolis-based Midwest Food Bank says a planned expansion could help meet growing demand for food assistance. Todd Greenwood says a new $9 million warehouse will streamline operations and consolidate two facilities into a larger location. “It will be 70,000 square feet
As harvest approaches, soybean farmers have an opportunity to help tell the story of the quality of U.S. soybeans. At the 2026 Farm Progress Show, Brownfield talked with Brent Rendel of Miami, Oklahoma, a soybean farmer and director on the United Soybean Board, about a program that allows farmers to
The Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation at USDA says increased access to natural gas will help domestic fertilizer production grow. Richard Fordyce tells Brownfield new fracking technologies are paying dividends. “We are now a net exporter of natural gas. Well natural gas is the key
At the 2026 Farm Progress Show, Brownfield talked with Kurt Maertens, BASF Technical Services Representative for Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois, about what farmers can see at the BASF exhibit and what he hopes they take home with them. The exhibit showcases the breadth of BASF technology and high
Cash dairy prices were mixed Friday to end the week at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Dry whey was up $0.0025 to $0.7525. One sale was reported at that price. Forty-pound cheese blocks were down $0.0125 to $1.4650. Fourteen sales were reported ranging from $1.4550 to $1.4850. Cheese barrels were u
The Trump administration is once again asking for feedback to help further define its proposed Waters of the United States rule. Missouri Farm Bureau President Garrett Hawkins tells Brownfield producers benefit from clear and consistent policy. “We’ve been looking for better respect of states’ right
Direct cash cattle trade activity remains quiet. Bids haven’t resurfaced and asking prices are few and far between. There’s been some light business in the North at mostly $345 dressed, which was fully steady with the prior week’s weighted average basis. More business is still expected to develop be
A central Minnesota farmer has been taking advantage of recent strength in the corn market. Nick Peterson of St. Cloud says there are opportunities to market both old and new crop. “I’m almost worried that we’re a little far sold on new crop. We were able to kind of utilize this (rally) to empty the
At the 2026 Farm Progress Show, Brownfield talked with Matt Inman, Technical Marketing Manager with BASF, about the products and innovations featured at the BASF exhibit. From crop protection products already helping farmers manage weeds and other challenges to new herbicide technology on the horizo
