A livestock economist says high retail prices for beef could be impacting the proteins consumers purchase. University of Kentucky’s Kenny Burdine says, “The last few weeks have probably pointed that way more than anything I’ve seen in a while.” The price of choice boxed beef, the wholesale value of
Twelve farmer networks are receiving state funding to help advance the adoption of regenerative agricultural practices across Michigan. Will Jacquinde manages the Regenerative Farmer Network Grant Program within the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. “Every farm is going to be
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s investigation into the source of a cyclospora outbreak that has sickened thousands of people across the country continues. Acting Commissioner Kyle Diamantas says there have been more than 1,600 confirmed cases. “For this particular cluster, we have also seen
The president of the Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition says a new five-year farm bill is just as critical for livestock producers as it is for row crop farmers. Cliff Schuette, who raises cattle in southern Illinois, says key cost share programs that livestock producers rely on are already underfunde
Cash dairy prices were mixed Tuesday at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Dry whey was up $0.0025 to $0.6975. No sales were recorded. Forty-pound cheese blocks were up $0.03 to $1.66. Three sales were recorded ranging from $1.6350 to $1.6575. Cheese barrels were unchanged at $1.6275. No sales were re
An agronomist with CHS expects farmers to alter fall fertility plans. Corey Klaphake covers southern Minnesota and says cutbacks are likely because of high fertilizer prices. “I think definitely there will be some cutting back no doubt, on the phosphates probably in particular is what the big conver
U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley says he supports efforts in the House to provide more financial aid to farmers. The Iowa Republican tells Brownfield the assistance would help address rising input prices. “The justification for it expressed by the President is the Iran war is drawing up the price of dies
A cow/calf specialist with the University of Illinois Extension says the Asian longhorn tick has been confirmed in three more Illinois counties. Dr. Teresa Steckler tells Brownfield the invasive species has been discovered in Jefferson, Marion, and Wayne Counties. “This tick will congregate on anima
Few phrases in rural America carry more weight than eminent domain. On paper, it is simply a legal tool. It is an administrative process used to acquire land for public projects. But for the people who live on, work, and build their lives on that land, it is anything but procedural. It is personal,
Looking ahead, the 6- to 10-day outlook calls for the likelihood of hotter-than-normal weather in much of the West and throughout the southern half of the U.S., while near- or below-normal temperatures will prevail from the northern half of the Plains into the Northeast. Meanwhile, near- or above-no
Brownfield’s Kellan Heavican covers the K-State Risk and Profit Conference. The post K-State Risk and Profit Conference appeared first on Brownfield Ag News.
Tropical Storm Bertha will continue to drift generally westward, nearly parallel to the northern Gulf Coast. Only slight further strengthening of the heavily sheared storm is expected, and landfall could occur in southern Louisiana as early as late Wednesday or early Thursday. Bertha’s impacts may i
A farmer in eastern South Dakota says last week’s heat dome didn’t have much impact on the corn at his farm, which is tasseling. Travis Renkly farms in Brookings County, and he says the rains ahead of Independence Day were enough to help the crops get through the hot week. However, more rain is need
Crop conditions are moving in the right direction for Nebraska farmers. USDA’s latest weekly crop update shows corn improved from 63 to 65 percent good to excellent, while soybeans went from 65 to 68 percent good to excellent. Corn development is close to normal with 60 percent silking and 6 percent
A farmer in eastern Missouri says corn and soybeans are doing better than expected in mid-July, considering the soil compaction issues that happened during the wet spring. Jim Boerding, who farms in St. Charles County, tells Brownfield “time will tell. I’m sure we’ll see some declining crops due to
Soybean condition ratings improved during the week in Kansas. USDA’s latest weekly crop update says beans in good to excellent condition advanced from 69 to 72 percent. Twenty-two percent of the crop is setting pods, compared to the five-year average of 14 percent. Corn condition ratings held steady
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle finished the day higher on oversold signals. August live cattle closed $2.10 higher at $226.52 and October live cattle closed $2.60 higher at $223.30. August feeder cattle closed $6.05 higher at $352 and September feeder cattle closed $6.90
A farm business management instructor says crops in south-central Minnesota have bounced back from some early season struggles. Kristina McVicker with South Central College in Mankato tells Brownfield soil crusting was an issue after heavy rains in late April. “But there wasn’t a whole lot widesprea
The USDA says crop conditions improved in Iowa over the last week. Monday’s Crop Progress report says 80% of Iowa corn is in good to excellent condition with soybeans rated at 79%. Both were up from the previous week. State Ag Secretary Mike Naig tells Brownfield the improvement comes despite the cu
A southwest Wisconsin farmer says 13 inches of rain since the start of June has been plentiful for crops this season. Darin Von Ruden tells Brownfield, “Some of the early planted corn is already putting on some pretty good size ears here in the western part of the state.” He says forage crops have a
Soybeans were sharply higher on fund and technical buying. Parts of the region will see near-term rainfall, but it could miss some areas, and long-term forecasts are mostly hot and dry. These conditions at these stages of development could trim production potential. Weather is also having an impact
A southwest Michigan blueberry grower says harvest this past month has been tempered by winter injury and several spring frosts. Tom Bodke tells Brownfield, “Our pickouts are not as much as we were expecting.” “We’re in mid-season right now,” he says. “The quality has been good. The pricing has been
Sep. corn $4.49 and 1/2, up 4 and 3/4 centsAug. soybeans $12.26, up 21 and 1/2 centsAug. soybean meal $323.50, up $3.30Aug. soybean oil 74.68, down 13 pointsSep. Chicago wheat $6.74, down 8 and 3/4 centsAug. live cattle $226.52, up $2.10Aug. feeder cattle $352.00, up $6.05Aug. lean hogs $101.27, dow
Not many changes to U.S. corn and soybean condition ratings over the past week as high heat blankets much of the Midwest and Plains. Still, state-by-state, the numbers vary widely, and both of those crops are in key stages of development and weather could potentially trim yield. The USDA says 67% of
A north-central Ohio farmer says this year’s wheat harvest is quickly approaching. Owen Niese tells Brownfield he expects the combines to start rolling in just three weeks. “We’ve been feeding the crop some foliar feed and fungicide to get it ready to go, ” he says. He says he’s concerned shifting w
A west central Indiana farmer says recent warmer weather has helped accelerate crop development. Tyler Everett tells Brownfield, “With the cold end of April and May we had, it’s really helped the corn and soybeans really take off and start to grow.” But, he tells Brownfield rainfall continues to imp
A central Illinois farmer says 2026 will be a growing season he won’t soon forget. Thomas Perkins, who raises corn, soybeans, wheat, hay, and cattle in Effingham County, tells Brownfield, “We did have a 40 acre piece that got hit by tornado damage. If you’ve ever seen a tornado rip through a field,
An extension ag economist sees reasons for optimism as farmers struggle with tight crop margins. Chad Hart with Iowa State University says corn and soybean usage could meet and possibly exceed production later this year. “That’s going to pull prices higher.” He tells Brownfield the market seems to b
University of Wisconsin research is evaluating how the chemical makeup of cereal rye can impact crop development when used as a cover in rotations. Forage specialist Marta Kohmann tells Brownfield allelopathy levels in cereal rye, or natural compounds that reduce emergence and growth in other plants
Iowa’s Ag Secretary is urging the U.S. Senate to advance legislation that would allow year-round, nationwide sales of E15 gasoline. Mike Naig tells Brownfield, “Whether it goes in a farm bill, goes as a standalone, or goes in a supplemental budget, I don’t particularly care as long as it moves. It’s
