The past president of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association says he supports USDA’s phased approach to reopen the U.S.-Mexico border to cattle imports. Concerns about New World screwworm had the border closed for more than one year, and Jeff Reed tells Brownfield “Sometimes, U.S. cattle producers mig
A cherry grower says she’s concerned about maintaining market share after this year’s dramatic decrease in production. Sarah Greiner and her husband Todd grow a variety of specialty crops in West Michigan, including sweet and tart cherries. “What are these buyers going to do?” she’s contemplating. “
Members of the Minnesota Pork Activate leadership development program recently traveled to California to experience agriculture from a broader perspective. The post The Minnesota Porkcast: Minnesota Pork Activate in California appeared first on Brownfield Ag News.
Soybeans were higher on short covering and technical buying. The USDA’s national good to excellent rating was down 3% on the week and traders are watching forecasts for August very closely. That’s a key month for development in many key growing areas. Export demand from China is solid ahead of an ex
I’ve spent years talking and writing about farmer stress, depression and suicide. I’ve interviewed experts, shared resources and encouraged conversations about mental health in agriculture. Many of us have had neighbors, friends, family or acquaintances take their own lives. But nothing prepared me
A state leader says a new feasibility study will help direct the future of the potato industry. Michigan Potato Industry Commission’s Kelly Turner tells Brownfield the Seed to Table Feasibility Study is the first of its kind to help guide strategic investments for growers nationwide. “The study is r
Sep. corn $4.58 and 1/2, up 6 and 3/4 centsAug. soybeans $12.12, up 3 and 1/2 centsAug. soybean meal $320.30, down 50 centsAug. soybean oil 70.76, down 70 pointsSep. Chicago wheat $6.62 and 1/2, up 2 and 1/2 centsAug. live cattle $227.47, up $2.25Aug. feeder cattle $343.07, up $4.82Aug. lean hogs $1
Food safety experts say the nationwide cyclospora outbreak could have lasting impacts on consumer buying behavior as cases continue to rise. “That might change the demand for products like lettuce,” she says. Julie Swann with North Carolina State University says there are now more than 1,900 confirm
The deputy secretary at the USDA says another round of financial assistance is needed to support America’s farmers and ranchers. Stephen Vaden says the $12 billion in farm aid included in the $95 billion budget resolution passed by the U.S. House is critical to agriculture. “We think it strikes the
Each year, farmers seek the best solutions to help protect their corn and soybeans. In this Hoegemeyer Hometown Field Update, Agronomist Eric Solberg says that corn related diseases have been on the radar in recent years, especially southern rust. He says that right now is an important time to be o
An ag economist says he doesn’t expect improvement in fertilizer prices anytime soon, and it may impact how they purchase inputs for the 2027 crop. Gary Schnitkey with the University of Illinois says he doesn’t have a crystal ball, but “There could be dramatic swings between now and spring. Spreadin
Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen says work continues to improve market access in the Asia-Pacific for producers. On a call with reporters during a trade mission this week, he said Japan continues to be a reliable partner for red meat exports. “We had really important discussions about continual opportun
A field crops entomologist says western bean cutworm management has made significant strides since it first reached the Great Lakes region 20 years ago. Chris DiFonzo with Michigan State University tells Brownfield, “We’ve had 20 generations.” “It’s now in the background, and there are things that e
A west central Indiana farmer says he’s concerned widespread crop variability could impact harvest timing this fall. Kevin Cox says crop conditions differ across the state. “The early planted stuff is pollinated with ear fill, and it looks great,” he says. “We have some beautiful beans. The stuff wi
U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley is encouraged by recent comments by U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer concerning the U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement. The Iowa Republican says renewing USMCA would bring stability to agriculture. “I know that renewal is up in the air, but I know there are a lot of neg
Cash dairy prices were mostly down Tuesday at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Dry whey was down $0.0250 to $0.6550. Four sales were reported ranging from $0.6550 to $0.6675. Forty-pound cheese blocks were down $0.04 at $1.5550. Thirteen sales were reported ranging from $1.54 to $1.5650. Cheese barr
An ag economist says it’s been a tough couple of months for the cattle complex. Josh Maples with Mississippi State University Extension tells Brownfield the five area price is currently about $230 per hundredweight. “This is down about 11% from a month ago,” he says. “And it’s down about 12% from th
Direct cash cattle trade activity is starting to pick up. Bids have been floated in Kansas at $228 live and in Nebraska at $360 dressed. Asking prices remain elusive. There was a light round of business reported in Nebraska Monday at $360 dre, that’s $5 lower than the prior week’s weighted averages.
The vice president of the Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition says a recent first-of-its-kind contest is designed to encourage more youth involvement in the world of grazing. Trevor Toland, who raises cattle in western Illinois, says teams of high school to college age students were recently tasked wit
The chief atmospheric scientist with Nutrien Ag Solutions says most of the U.S. corn crop is pollinating in less-than-ideal conditions. Eric Snodgrass says much of the Corn Belt saw high heat throughout the month of July. “Did the heat during pollination do anything to cause some issues?” He says, “
The USDA shows an improvement in corn and soybean conditions in Missouri at the end of July, and Arlan Suderman with StoneX Group says it’s unusual. “We normally do trend lower in the ratings from July into roughly the middle part of August.” Suderman tells Brownfield rains might have helped improve
Crop conditions dipped a little in Minnesota over the past week. USDA’s latest weekly crop update shows 77 percent of corn and 78 percent of soybeans in good to excellent condition, still well above the respective national averages. Brownton farmer Ryan Mackenthun tells Brownfield outside of a small
Soybeans were sharply lower on profit taking and technical selling. Forecasts generally have cooler weather for many key growing areas, with some better rain potential in parts of the region, as the calendar turns to August, a key month for soybean development. The USDA says 63% of U.S. beans are in
A southeastern Illinois beef producer says adequate rains are keeping his pastures in good shape this summer. Cliff Schuette, who raises cattle in Clinton County, tells Brownfield… “We have plenty of grass at this point.” He says, “Overall, we’re above average on rainfall so when you have rainfall,
The USDA says crop conditions held mostly steady in Kansas over the past week. According to the latest crop progress report, Kansas corn is 70 percent silking, 34 percent in the dough stage, and rated 54 percent good to excellent. Soybeans are 63 percent blooming, 39 percent setting pods, and rated
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were mostly sharply lower following the news that the US plans to resume live cattle imports from Mexico. August live cattle closed $1.85 lower at $225.22 and October live cattle closed $3.72 lower at $218.77. August feeder cattle closed $7.
A mid-Michigan farmer says he’s hopeful that storms this week will bring needed precipitation to recharge soils in his region. Gratiot County’s John Peck tells Brownfield it’s been dry for most of the month. “They had all these pocket rains, and I happened to get lucky and have a 4/10 come through s
The USDA says crop conditions continue to advance in Nebraska. According to the latest crop progress report, Nebraska corn is 79 percent silking, 18 percent in the dough stage, and rated 60 percent good to excellent. Soybeans are 85 percent blooming, 39 percent setting pods, and rated 61 percent goo
A north central Wisconsin farmer says his crops need some rain. Adam Baumann, who raises corn, soybeans, wheat, alfalfa, ginseng, and cattle in Marathon County, tells Brownfield… “The end of June into July turned quite dry.” He says, “We are begging for some rain right now. We do have some crops all
The USDA says crop conditions mostly held steady in Iowa last week. Monday’s Crop Progress report says 80% of Iowa corn is in good to excellent condition, unchanged on the week, and soybeans are rated 78%, down one percentage point. Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig tells Brownfield crop conditions have b
