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
North-central Kansas farmer Brett Grauerholz says ongoing drought is stressing his corn and soybean crops. “Luckily with some irrigation in the area, we’ve been able to keep it going and keep reproductive stages going since we’re starting to hit that in the soybeans are in that in the corn.” He says
An ag meteorologist says he’s closely watching how another heat wave could impact crop conditions in parts of the Midwest. Brian Fuchs with the National Drought Mitigation Center says there’s been adequate precipitation, but the situation could change quickly. “It’s really going to attack some of th
Senate lawmakers questioned U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer about agricultural exports on Wednesday. During a hearing, Greer said President Trump’s trade agenda is working for farmers and ranchers. “For starters, the United States currently has 19 framework or reciprocal trade deals coverin
Cash dairy prices were mostly down Thursday at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Dry whey was down $0.01 to $0.69. One sale was reported at that price. Forty-pound cheese blocks were unchanged at $1.67. Five sales were recorded ranging from $1.6675 to $1.68. Cheese barrels were up $0.0025 $1.63. No s
There’s another light round of direct cash cattle trade underway. Live deals are at $230 in the South. This follows the light round of business on Wednesday at $365 dressed, which was $12 to $15 below the prior week’s weighted average basis. Look for more business to develop over the balance of the
A market analyst says wheat futures have been rallying this month. Jim McCormick with AgMarket.Net says the surge has primarily been driven by escalating geopolitical conflicts in the Black Sea Region. “The world, I believe, is getting very nervous about getting wheat out of Russia and potentially o
White mold is a soybean disease that an agronomist warns could become a problem in the coming weeks. Corey Klaphake with CHS says it favors cool, wet conditions after plant canopy. “And there’s not as much air movement through there. That’s when white mold is going to take off, especially if you hav
An agronomist in southeast Nebraska says timely rains have kept the area’s soybean crop on track. But, Chris Langemeier with Hogemeyer Hybrids, says the make-or-break part of the growing season is right around the corner. “We’re going to need some moisture in August to finish the bean crop out, but
The American Farm Bureau Federation says the financial pressure on U.S. crop producers is expected to intensify. John Newton, vice president of public policy, says AFBF is projecting more than $32 billion in losses for major row crops in 2027. “We’ve seen historic inflation across the farm economy g
An educator with the University of Illinois Extension says tick prevention should be top of mind for all agricultural workers. Dr. Teresa Steckler tells Brownfield unseasonably warm weather early this spring gave the ticks a head start. “What we’re seeing is definitely an increase in tick population
Grain markets have seen some strong rallies this summer, creating opportunities for producers to make sales. But marketing grain takes planning and discipline. On this episode, we’ll discuss strategies for marketing during rallies and how farmers can find the right grain marketing professional. The
Mexico recently lifted import restrictions on certain U.S. pork products stemming from a pseudorabies outbreak earlier this year. Erin Borror with the U.S. Meat Export Federation says Mexico had imposed precautionary measures following the detection of the disease in Iowa at the end of April. “Mexic
Soybeans were higher on fund and technical buying. Most forecasts have a return to hot temperatures in much of the region, potentially stressing the developing crop. The trade’s also watching for any signs of new demand from China ahead of the USDA’s weekly U.S. sales numbers out Thursday morning. A
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were pressured by the slower beef demand, ahead of direct trade and Friday’s USDA reports. August live cattle closed $3.47 lower at $223.20 and October live cattle closed $4.02 lower at $219.20. August feeder cattle closed $8.37 lower at $34
Star of the West Milling Company says transitioning its facility near the Michigan, Indiana, Ohio border will provide corn farmers with more marketing opportunities. Flour Milling Division Executive Vice President Karina Spencer tells Brownfield the $79 million project brings new life to their 160-y
Farmers and their crops are battling a series of challenges that threaten yield potential. In this Hoegemeyer Hometown Field Update, Agronomist Teal Mills says the company’s latest genetics provide farmers a selection of hybrids fit for all conditions. The post Hoegemeyer Hometown Field Update – Emp
The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition says a recent federal court ruling clarifies that agencies cannot terminate funding because a new administration has different policy priorities. Deputy Policy Director Sophia Kruszewski tells Brownfield, “The court says in its opinion that authority ap
