The CEO of the United Soybean Board says she’s encouraged by the latest soybean crush data. USDA says the August soybean crush was the largest for the month on record, and USB’s Courtney Knupp tells Brownfield, “That means that our entire supply chain is working,” she said. “It has responded to mark
The USDA is expanding its Regenerative Pilot Program with $1 billion to help producers strengthen their conservation and nutrient management practices. Richard Fordyce, Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation, says the funding will be available starting in 2027. “We’re working to improve
A growing number of states across the country are taking action to help farmers mitigate record fuel costs during harvest. Michigan Farm Bureau President Ben LaCross says allowing producers to use red-dyed diesel off the farm can immediately provide relief. “Indiana has done it,” he shares. “Nebrask
Harvest delays are raising concerns across the Midwest. BASF technical service representative Jared Roskamp says wet weather is compromising stalk integrity. “And we’ve seen some of the standability issues in corn come to fruition, some of the stalk rots that have occurred because of the weather pat
The size of the U.S. dairy herd is expected to keep pressure on milk prices in 2027. CoBank economist Corey Geiger says dairy cow numbers are the highest they’ve been in 34 years. “Under normal times we would see a contraction in the herd just because of Class III milk prices, cheese and whey. But [
An agronomist says there are several crop health concerns farmers should keep in mind this fall. Teal Mills with Hogemeyer Hybrids says excessive rainfall in parts of the Corn Belt has been extremely problematic. “I think anxiety, in general, for farmers is going to go up as we try to get stuff out.
A Dekalb / Asgrow field agronomist says many Midwestern farmers are dealing with less-than-ideal soybean harvesting conditions. Lance Tarochione, who covers western Illinois, tells Brownfield, “Some beans that are so green, and so tough looking, that I was surprised they were even going through.” He
When will the grain markets hit a harvest low? Don Roose with U.S. Commodities says harvest results will determine how this plays out. In a typical big-crop year, market lows can come in November or December. But if yields disappoint, he says the low could come much earlier. Hear more in this Managi
From genetics and nutrition to raising calves and feeding out steers to carcass traits, CattleCon has something for everyone in the industry. Kristin Torres with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association says this year’s convention is back in Nashville. She tells Brownfield there are new features th
A north Iowa farmer is in a tough spot with record-high diesel prices during harvest. Mike Yegge grows corn and soybeans near Lake Mills. “I have not contracted my fall diesel yet, so unfortunately it’s going to be a big impact.” He tells Brownfield diesel prices have doubled since he last purchased
A fertilizer industry leader says producers should be rethinking every input and how it’s applied to find efficiencies in the year ahead. Pivot Bio Chief Commercial Officer Chris Turner tells Brownfield nutrient management plans need to start with a soil test. “Work field by field to make a nitrogen
An eastern Iowa farmer says he’s encouraged by the USDA’s data modernization effort. “We actually have farmers that are working on this now. It’s kind of a big deal.” Lance Lillibridge says improvements to ag data collection have been needed. “There is total lack of trust in the reporting. In fact,
Soybeans were lower on fund and technical selling. Export sales were up on the week at 38 million bushels, led by China, but the Golden Week holiday could limit their demand for a few days. Egypt took second place in the weekly sales update. U.S. harvest delays are ongoing ahead of a drier weather p
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were higher, watching direct markets. October live cattle closed $.62 higher at $219.30 and December live cattle closed $.47 higher at $223.17. October feeder cattle closed $2.45 higher at $338.87 and November feeder cattle closed $2.05 high
A new dairy monitoring system could give producers a more detailed look at herd health and performance. Nicole Mozeliak, U.S. CEO for Herd-i, says the technology uses artificial intelligence to provide daily body condition scores. “We install in-parlor cameras that capture every cow after milking,”
A new partnership with Cargill and McCarty Family Farms is helping students learn about the importance of dairy nutrition. Shelly Macumber says the Judy McCarty Learning Center in northwest Kansas is an interactive exhibit that demonstrates modern dairy production. “They’re right in the middle of a
Ag groups are closely watching how the U.S. EPA and the Department of Health and Human Services’ glyphosate review could impact product availability for farmers. Elizabeth Burns-Thompson, executive director of the Modern Ag Alliance, says the pesticide is currently undergoing a mandatory 15-year lab
The Ohio General Assembly has passed bi-partisan legislation providing temporary fuel cost relief and establishing a 90-day state gas and diesel tax suspension. Ohio Senate President Rob McColley says the measure was introduced to lower transportation costs for farmers as diesel prices remain at rec
Researchers at Michigan State University are analyzing how regenerative agricultural practices affect water movement in the soil. Alex Kuhl with the Institute of Water Research tells Brownfield, “We are trying to contrast any management or historical management.” “One of our prime examples is a prod
Cash dairy prices were mixed Thursday at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Dry whey was unchanged at $0.8150. No sales were reported. Forty-pound cheese blocks were up $0.0325 to $1.3025. Three sales were reported ranging from $1.29 to $1.3025. Cheese barrels were unchanged at $1.4525. No sales were
Direct cash cattle trade is starting to develop. A few deals have been reported in Nebraska at $345 to $348, that’s below the week’s earlier business and down from last week’s weighted average basis. Still no movement out of the South, but bids have been floated at $226 live. More trade is expected
Pork export sales were steady on the week. The USDA says pork sales during the week ending September 24th were above average and continue to reflect good global demand, especially from Mexico, which bought almost half of the weekly total. Beef was up from the previous week, all to key customers in A
U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley says he’s optimistic about trade negotiations between the U.S. and Mexico. During a media call on Wednesday, the Iowa Republican said Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, has been willing to come to the table throughout the USMCA process. “She is making a real effort to
Minnesota farmers will be able to transport heavier loads this fall following an executive order from Governor Walz addressing record high diesel prices. The proclamation says vehicles transporting agricultural and forest products can exceed regular weight limits by up to 10 percent on state and loc
The president of the Wisconsin Corn Promotion Board says maintaining strong relationships with trading partners is vital to farmer profitability. Casey Kelleher, who farms in Jefferson County, says the work of the U.S. Grains and Bioproducts Council to expand overseas markets is a prime example. “It
The high cost of fuel is squeezing margins on an east-central Wisconsin dairy farm. Janet Clark of Eldorado says diesel prices have doubled in the past year. “It makes a big impact to the bottom line, like everybody else.” Speaking to Brownfield during the World Dairy Expo this week, she said the fa
A Dekalb/Asgrow field agronomist says even though the calendar just turned to October, 2026 is already feeling like a long harvest season. Lance Tarochione, who covers western Illinois, says challenges like rainy weather, downed corn, and slow dry down are starting to mount. “We’ve got lodged beans,
On-farm and roadway safety is being emphasized as the fall harvest season continues. Southwest Iowa farmer Duane Aistrope says transportation of large ag equipment will pick up the next few weeks as fields dry out. “Remember that we have this slow-moving machinery going down the road,” he said. “Let
Indiana Governor Mike Braun has signed an executive order to temporarily allow farmers to use red dyed diesel on state highways to reduce harvest transportation costs. The action does not authorize its use on interstates or U.S. highways, which are currently prohibited by federal law. The executive
High diesel prices are expected to stick around for the foreseeable future, according to a Kansas State University economist. On this episode of Managing for Profit, Gregg Ibendahl says changes in crude oil markets have a direct impact on diesel, with fuel prices rising roughly 42 cents for every do
