Labor and legislation are among the top challenges facing retail applicators. Jenny Webb, new president of the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association, says many of the organization’s members report issues finding a skilled, reliable workforce. “There’s always challenges to find good employees.
A plant pathologist says the risk of disease pressure is extremely high for some soybeans in the Western Corn Belt. Dylan Mangel with the University of Nebraska says above normal precipitation has created conditions for white mold. And, “We’re seeing other foliar fungal diseases like frog eye leaf s
In this episode of Managing for Profit, Gary Schaefer, chief commercial officer with InterPlant, says the new CropVoice Whole Farm digital platform could help corn and soybean farmers with earlier disease detection. The post Making more informed disease management decisions appeared first on Brownfi
Despite an active weather pattern through the weekend, rainfall will not be particularly heavy, except in the South-east. Five-day rainfall should generally range from 0.50 to 2.00 inches, except for locally higher amounts in the Southeast and mostly dry weather across portions of the Plains and low
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were lower on fund liquidation waiting for direct business to develop. Feeders had additional pressure from the higher move in corn. October live cattle closed $2.65 lower at $210.95 and December lean hogs closed $2.07 lower at $212.12. Sept
The American Soybean Association says farmers could lose about $1 billion if EPA approves small refinery exemption petitions being proposed. “This is just kind of a handout to oil companies and a handout to the small refineries.” Vice President Dave Walton, a soybean farmer from Iowa, tells Brownfie
U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley is criticizing the Trump administration for temporarily easing restrictions on imported beef. “Americans should have access to safe and affordable meat, but the best way to lower beef prices is not through imported beef.” The Iowa Republican says with the smallest cattle
Soybeans were higher on fund and technical buying. The USDA’s national crop rating dipped over the past week with harvest just around the corner. There’s still some development time remaining in parts of the region but any significant loss of production potential would just tighten the balance sheet
The National Potato Council says increased restrictions on potatoes from Prince Edward Island will better protect U.S. growers from potato wart. CEO Kam Quarles tells Brownfield, “It’s a highly destructive disease.” “Once you’ve got it, it’s nearly impossible to get it out of your production areas,”
The owner of one of the largest sale barns in the country says diesel prices are impacting margins for cattle producers. Jackie Moore with Joplin Regional Stockyards in Missouri says the cost to ship cattle have skyrocketed. “Here’s the thing, just like today, we’re paying $5.75 for trucks today, $5
The CEO of MFA Incorporated says he sees economic headwinds continuing into 2027, as farmers face high input costs and uncertain commodity prices. “It’s tough times economically,” Bob Huffman tells Brownfield. “Our role as a co-op for our owners is just to be as very efficient as we can. Anyway we c
The US Trade Representative says China has been following through on its soybean purchase commitments from the US. “Soybeans, it’s something the Chinese need and it’s something we need to sell,” Jamieson Greer said at the Iowa State Fair. Greer tells Brownfield he accompanied President Trump on his
A north-central Iowa farmer says it’s been an up and down growing season. Joe Roberts is a third-generation farmer who raises corn, soybeans, and cover crop in Belmond. He tells Brownfield weather patterns have been inconsistent. “We had a dry spell at the beginning, then we had a pretty wet July, a
As farmers continue to face tight margins, the president of Iowa Farm Bureau says boosting profitability is job one. “That’s really derived from challenges on either side of the balance sheet,” Brent Johnson said last week at the Iowa State Fair. Johnson tells Brownfield years of difficult economic
The regional administrator for the U.S. EPA Region 7 says the public comment period is closing soon on a proposal to end the Diesel Emission Fluid system deratements. Jim Macy says the roll back is common sense for farmers as they operate equipment. “If we get a resonating beep that says we’re runni
Sep. corn $5.00 and 1/2, up 9 centsSep. soybeans $12.28, up 12 centsSep. soybean meal $320.30, unchangedSep. soybean oil 67.52, up 39 pointsSep. Chicago wheat $6.85 and 1/2, up 3 and 3/4 centsOct. live cattle $210.95, down $2.65Sep. feeder cattle $319.27, down $4.95Oct. lean hogs $80.45, down 67 cen
Poultry production was higher last month. The USDA says 4.844 billion pounds of poultry were certified wholesome in July, rising 4% on the year, with a 5% gain in chicken at 4.407 billion pounds and modestly higher turkey production at 427.334 million pounds. The chicken slaughter was up 4% and the
Cash dairy prices were higher on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange on Tuesday with strong butter demand. Dry whey up $0.01 at $0.7125. Blocks unchanged at $1.5275. Three sales were made at $1.52 and $1.5275. Barrels unchanged at $1.5750. Butter up $0.0350 at $1.48. Twenty-three sales were made from $1
A southwest Nebraska farmer says the ongoing financial pressure raises several questions ahead of the 2027 crop year. Roric Paulman of Sutherland and says out-of-control input costs create some very difficult decisions. “Thinking about where you’re going to be? What’s the crop mix going to be? What’
Using enhanced efficiency fertilizers to reduce nitrogen losses. Leanna Nigon, director of agronomy and research at The Fertilizer Institute, says EEFs help farmers better manage crop nutrients. “We have major reductions in losses, both in ammonia and nitrous oxide, when we’re using an EEF,” she say
Advancements in biological seed treatments are bringing noticeable returns to some corn and soybean growers. Alex Renk, soybean and alfalfa portfolio lead with Renk Seed, says not all biologicals are created equal. “Historically speaking, we don’t always see results with some of these add-ons that p
Direct cash cattle trade activity is quiet. Bids have yet to surface. Asking prices are around $228 to $230 live in the South, but haven’t been established elsewhere. Showlists are mixed, lower in Texas and Kansas, and up slightly in Nebraska. Significant trade volume isn’t expected until sometime T
Some farmers are wondering how much impact extreme heat had on crops during July. Rose Karau grows corn and soybeans near St. James in south-central Minnesota. “We have some sandhills, and we watched (those crops) kind of drift away or burn up. We could see them right from the road and we were getti
An ag economist says he doesn’t expect much relief from high diesel prices anytime soon. Gregg Ibendahl with K-State says the cost of oil can push diesel up about 42 cents for every dollar it increases. “It’s a pretty steep curve over what it used to be. It makes the situation really bad. We’re in [
An ag land specialist suggests the market could strengthen after harvest. Randy Thompson is licensed in Iowa for Base Camp Country Real Estate, which operates in about a dozen Midwestern states. “I think that there’s still a lot of strong bidding out there from local landowners (and) there’s a young
A policy advisor for the American Dairy Coalition says USMCA negotiators need to ensure trade rules keep pace with changes in the North American dairy market. Sherry Bunting tells Brownfield, “There’s a lot of integration that has happened since NAFTA and USMCA in agriculture, and dairy had some int
The CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation says finding a solution to the industry’s labor challenges remains a top priority. Gregg Doud says a bill from Congressman GT Thompson, chairman of the House Ag Committee, released in June, would provide the industry a long-overdue solution. “It is s
There’s potential for some corn and soybean varieties to be in tight supply next year. “Our seed crop here in Sun Prairie looks excellent. Is it a best ever? I don’t know, but it’s really close.” However, Jeff Renk, president of Wisconsin-based Renk Seed, says that’s not the case for many seed produ
High fertilizer prices remain a concern as farmers prepare to make fall applications. Corey Rosenbusch, president and CEO of The Fertilizer Institute, says ongoing supply chain disruptions continue to impact the availability and cost of some inputs. “Half of the world’s traded sulfur comes through t
Facing challenges that threaten yield potential is a constant battle for farmers and their crops. In this Hoegemeyer Hometown Field Update, agronomist Craig Langemeier says the company’s latest genetics provide farmers with a selection of hybrids for all conditions. For more information visit www.ho
