2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans urge ‘eat real food’ approach

The USDA and the Department of Health and Human Services have rolled out the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins says, “Eat real food.”  During a news conference on Wednesday, she said that federal incentives have promoted low-quality, highly processed foods for decades, but those days are over.  “Encourage households and schools…Continue Reading

Study shows dairy costs remain high

A recent study shows Illinois dairy farms are continuing to have negative economic returns.  Bradley Zwilling with the University of Illinois and the Farm Business Farm Management Association tells Brownfield there are some bright spots. “This is looking at 2024 but includes projections for ’25 and ’26, but we did see some higher milk prices…Continue Reading

FBA signup expected to be simple for farmers

The executive director of the Illinois Farm Service Agency says eligible row crop farmers should have an easy time receiving payments from the upcoming $11 billion Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) Program. William Graff tells Brownfield, “These are going to be mailed out the week of February 23rd.”  He says, “You’re able to come into the…Continue Reading

Farmer sentiment declines as farmers become more concerned about tariffs and soybean exports

An ag economist says ongoing tariff policy uncertainty has led to a decline in this month’s Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer. Professor emeritus Jim Mintert says producers are still concerned about the loss of soybean market share to China.  “Fifty-two percent of respondents said they thought soybean exports over the next five years would remain about the same or actually decrease,” he says. “Over half of…Continue Reading

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