An American Farm Bureau Federation official says financial challenges are extending beyond major row crops. John Newton, AFBF vice president of public policy, says specialty crop producers are facing many of the same cost and market pressures. “It doesn’t matter if you are planting corn or planting
An ag meteorologist says he’s optimistic that the ongoing drought in the Western Corn Belt could improve over the next several months. Brian Fuchs with the National Drought Mitigation Center says conditions are slowing changing in western Nebraska, Kansas and South Dakota. “We’ve seen a good start t
Only about a third of the funding allocated for USDA’s Assistance for Specialty Crop Producers Program has been distributed ahead of the August 7th deadline. National Potato Council CEO Kam Quarles tells Brownfield, “One of the biggest challenges for specialty crops overall is eligibility.” “A numbe
Cash dairy prices were down Friday to end the week at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Dry whey was down $0.01 to $0.68. One sale was reported at that price. Forty-pound cheese blocks were down $0.0625 at $1.6075. Two sales were recorded ranging from $1.5975 to $1.6075. Cheese barrels were unchanged
Oat harvest is underway in northern Iowa. Zack Smith farms in Winnebago County and says he’s about a quarter of the way through his first oat crop. “Had a breakdown here that stopped me for a couple days, but the yields have been probably 20 to 25 bushels more than what I was expecting. I […] The po
Direct cash cattle trade was quiet Friday. There has been little renewed interest. Deals this week have been marked at $365 dressed, down $12 to $15 from the previous week’s weighted average basis. Live deals in the South have been at mostly $230, down $7 to $8 from the prior week’s business. Boxed
The CEO of the Minnesota Beef Council says demand for beef remains strong despite high retail prices. Kelly Schmidt tells Brownfield the domestic cattle herd is still short relative to demand. “We’re watching it closely. Are we expanding this herd, what is this supply? I think everyone would agree w
There have been mixed reactions from some ag groups to the CME Group’s announcement that it would begin trading sorghum basis futures. Kansas State University ag economist Guy Allen says helps protect producers from risk in the market. “The sorghum futures is basically trading as a spread to corn, b
A former U.S. Trade Ambassador suggests the agriculture sector is often treated unfairly in trade negotiations. Robert Lighthizer uses U.S. bulk commodity agriculture as an example. “We’re more competitive, and we’re more discriminated against around the world. I’ve always said that no group suffers
The president of the Midwest Hemp Council says Indiana farmers are well-positioned to capitalized on new investments in the industrial hemp industry. Justin Swanson tells Brownfield, “Indiana is a wonderful place with the right soil to grow hemp,” he says. “Whether it’s grain, fiber, or cannabinoids
A professor of weed science at the University of Illinois says many farmers have faced challenges in terms of weed control this year. Aaron Hager tells Brownfield, “It’s been all over the board, around the state this year.” He says, “We had some very good timely rainfalls when we were doing a lot of
Purdue Extension’s hemp specialist says 2026 has been a challenging year for many industrial hemp growers across the state. Margurite Bolt says variable weather patterns have slowed crop development. “We had an exceptionally wet spring, so we had to fit our hemp into a dry window,” she says. “It has
The executive director for Missouri Farmers Care says spots are still available for Missouri livestock exhibitors who want to participate in the Hogs for Hunger program at the upcoming Missouri State Fair. Ashley McCarty tells Brownfield “As pig exhibitors get ready to converge at the fair, we accep
A fierce, mid-summer heat wave across the Plains may result in significant weekend stress on rangeland, pastures, and summer crops, with high temperatures expected to range from 100 to 105°F, with locally higher values. Early next week, the northern Plains will experience modest relief, while the so
The cattle industry continues to look for any signs of herd expansion. University of Kentucky ag economist Kenny Burdine says the first thing he’s looking for is the percentage of heifers on feed, a statistic that’s only found in quarterly reports. “I think we’ll see what we’ve been seeing really th
An atmospheric scientist says August weather could still have a major impact on crop yields, markets, and profitability as the forecast uncertainty continues. Eric Snodgrass with Nutrien Ag Solutions tells Brownfield… “When it comes to corn, it might be a game of attrition unless August weather is j
The USDA is making $35 million available for new partnerships to support feral swine eradication and control in 14 states, including Missouri. Partners selected to participate in the Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program will provide landowners with restoration assistance, on-farm trappi
A crop insurance program to help farmers incorporating regenerative agriculture practices is being piloted in a few select Michigan counties. Tina Owens leads the Resilience and Agriculture Lending and Insurance Coalition (RALIC). “It is meant to expand very rapidly into other corn and soy states ac
The founder of an ag market intelligence firm suggests agriculture has never faced so much uncertainty. Susan Stroud with No Bull Agriculture says an index of economic policy uncertainty seemed to peak in April of 2025 when the Liberation Day tariffs were issued. “It was at the point where we’re all
The Drive to Feed Kids is returning to the Missouri State Fair, scheduled for Tuesday, August 18. Ashley McCarty is with Missouri Farmers Care, a non-profit alliance that organizes the effort. “Over two days in Missouri, FFA students will come together and pack 250,000 meals recognizing America’s 25
China continues to show strong interest in U.S. soybeans. The USDA says China was the leading buyer for both old and new crop U.S. beans during the week ending July 16th. U.S. prices are competitive against Brazil and China is trying to meet pledged purchase levels agreed to last year during trade n
The Wisconsin Farmers Union President says a permanent disaster assistance program in the farm bill would simplify the current ad hoc process. Darin Von Ruden tells Brownfield, “When you have natural disasters, floods, droughts, winter storms, things like that, tornadoes, that money is more readily
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were up, oversold, watching direct business and waiting on Friday’s reports from the USDA. August live cattle closed $2.20 higher at $225.40 and October live cattle closed $2.17 higher at $221.37. August feeder cattle closed $2.60 higher at
An extension specialist with Michigan State University says soybean growers in northern states aren’t likely to see much advantage using desiccation techniques. During a recent Science for Success webinar, Dr. Christy Sprague says the practice of prematurely defoliating the soybean plants to hasten
Sep. corn $4.64, up 2 centsAug. soybeans $12.37 and 1/2, up 4 and 1/2 centsAug. soybean meal $329.90, down $1.70Aug. soybean oil 75.59, up 11 pointsSep. Chicago wheat $6.96 and 1/4, down 9 and 1/2 centsAug. live cattle $225.40, up $2.20Aug. feeder cattle $343.77, up $2.60Aug. lean hogs $102.15, up 7
New research from Purdue University could help hemp growers lower input costs and improve overall profitability. Extension specialist Margurite Bolt says ongoing field trials are testing how different genetics can improve yield. “We’re finding that we don’t need a lot of nitrogen in particular to ge
A professor of weed science at the University of Illinois says a new analysis finds the economic cost of a glyphosate ban would be monumental. Aaron Hager says the research done in conjunction with the Illinois Soybean Association shows Illinois farmers alone would lose up to $600 million every year
Soybeans were mixed, mostly modestly higher. Forecasts have a return to hotter, drier conditions in some key growing areas starting late this weekend. Still, parts of the region do have better chances for rain than other areas, which could lessen some of the heat impact. Unknown destinations bought
The National Milk Producers Federation is looking at ways to help producers improve their dairy management practices. Dr. Meggan Hain says updates to the National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management Program are focused on improving industry standards for animal care and workforce developme
The chair of the Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board Chair says rising imports continue to threaten what little American production is left. “Having to deal with imports coming in just totally wreck their industry.” Sarah Greiner and her husband Todd have been growing asparagus for more than three dec
