A northwest Iowa farmer says he had a favorable 2025 crop year despite the presence of southern rust and tar spot in his area. Nathan Anderson tells Brownfield, “Scouting corn in the late season and making decisions about disease management in corn late in the season, we saw that pay off again this year.” He…… Continue Reading
New World screwworm detections rise in Mexico, raising fresh concerns for the U.S. cattle industry
Mexico has confirmed eight new cases of New World screwworm in Tamaulipas, which borders Texas. Josh Maples, an ag economist with Mississippi State University Extension, says continued detections create additional questions in the cattle industry. “If and when the border is going to reopen, I think that’s really uncertain, especially with the cases popping up…… Continue Reading
Latest Ag Economy Barometer shows farmers expect land values to decrease over the next five years
According to the latest Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer, farmers are becoming more optimistic farmland values will moderate over the next five years. Professor emeritus Jim Mintert says the long-term farmland index hit a record high in late 2025. “From a long-term standpoint, farmland has historically been a good inflation hedge,” he says. “It’s a…… Continue Reading
Keeping accurate farm financials could help producers mitigate risk in 2026
A pair of farm business analysts say keeping accurate farm financials can help producers mitigate risk ahead of the 2026 crop year. Clint Schroeder is with Ohio State University Extension. “If you do it every year on the same day, you can track that farm’s growth and any changes over time,” he says. “The real…… Continue Reading
Soybean growers urged to focus on fundamentals as margins tighten
An extension soybean specialist with Purdue University says the ag economy is leading many farmers back to the basics. Shaun Casteel says low commodity prices have soybean growers closely examining crop budgets. “You think about market prices, and it’s like, ‘OK, what are my I have to do this no matter what’s?’” He says, “I…… Continue Reading
Nitrogen-fixing biologicals provide opportunity for more silage
University research is finding nitrogen-fixing biologicals can reduce fertilizer use and increase crop biomass. Director of Product Management Chad Kimmelshue with Pivot Bio tells Brownfield their living microbes are supporting nearly a ton of additional above-ground biomass in silage production. “You’re in about the mid to high $20 per acre range increase just on the…… Continue Reading
Midday cash livestock markets
Direct cash cattle business is starting to pick up. A few deals have been reported in parts of Eastern Nebraska at $230 live and in Kansas at $233 live. Look for more business to pick up as the day progresses. There were a handful deals on Monday that were marked at $233 live in the…… Continue Reading
Cash dairy higher except cheese Friday
Cash dairy prices were higher except for cheese Friday at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Dry whey was up $0.0150 at $0.7350. Two sales were recorded at $0.73 and $0.7350. Forty-pound cheese blocks were unchanged at $1.29. No sales were recorded. Cheese barrels were unchanged at $1.3575. No sales were recorded. Butter prices were up $0.04 at $1.30. Four sales were recorded, ranging from $1.3275 to $1.35. Nonfat dry milk was up $0.0075 at $1.2550. Two sales were recorded at $1.2550 and $1.2575. The post Cash dairy higher except…… Continue Reading
Market specialist: no burdensome hay supplies, but demand lags
A marketing specialist says hay inventories are adequate. Dale Leslein is based in northeast Iowa and covers Minnesota and Wisconsin as well. “There’s a shortage of higher-end hay, but the market is not as strong as it has been since the dairy farmers changed how they get paid several years ago. The demand for top-end…… Continue Reading
Wisconsin farmer tells President importance of whole milk in schools
A Wisconsin dairy farmer told President Trump why the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act is so important. Jamie Witcpalek from Pagel’s Ponderosa Dairy near Kewaunee, Wisconsin was in the Oval Office for the bill signing ceremony Wednesday afternoon. “It is common sense as to what we should be consuming. Whole foods and whole milk.…… Continue Reading
