The USDA says cheese and butter production started to pick up steam in March while other products remained mostly slumped. Total cheese production was more than 1.2 billion pounds, up 1.4 percent from last year and nearly 10 percent from the prior month. Italian cheese production was up incrementally on the year and more than…… Continue Reading
Waiting on dry conditions to resume planting
A farmer in north-central Missouri says he’d like to have a break in the consistent rains to finish soybean planting. “We shut down operations on Easter weekend and haven’t been back since.” Brandon Thiel from Malta Bend tells Brownfield field conditions are close to being dry enough to resume planting, but “we’ve had several days…… Continue Reading
MMPA says milk quality & safety are essential
The head of Michigan Milk Producers Association says USDA staff reductions won’t stop food safety efforts throughout the supply chain. Joe Diglio tells Brownfield, “While there might be maybe some less oversight within the government ranks, I don’t believe that the practices being followed today from the farm community all the way through the supply chain…… Continue Reading
USDA budget proposal gets mixed reviews
U.S. Senators have mixed reviews on President Trump’s 2026 budget proposal, which if realized, would cut 18% of federal spending at the USDA. At a Senate Ag Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on Tuesday, chairman John Hoeven, a Republican from North Dakota, said lawmakers can work with USDA to save money, but “we’ve got to know we’re…… Continue Reading
Reconciliation pivotal in farm bill discussions
A member of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee says she’s gravely concerned about the effects of ongoing budget reconciliation efforts in Congress. Nikki Budzinski, an Illinois Democrat, says this week’s expected committee markup of the legislation is pivotal for a new farm bill. “In this markup, it’s going to be debated about $230 billion of…… Continue Reading
AFBF economist says off-farm income is keeping farmers going
An economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation says off-farm income is helping keep U.S. farming operations afloat. Danny Munch says a recent Market Intel Report shows 98% of farms receive some form of off-farm income. “The average on farm income was a loss of $900 in 2023,” he says. “That means that numerically, most…… Continue Reading
Ethanol exports strong during March
U.S. ethanol exports surged from February to March. The Renewable Fuels Association says ethanol exports of 195.8 million gallons were up 41% on the month and 23% on the year. Canada claimed the top spot for the fourth year in a row, taking in a six month high, followed by the United Kingdom, the European…… Continue Reading
State senator says water task force good news for future of water in Nebraska
A Nebraska state senator says a new water task force could play a key role in addressing the state’s nitrate contamination issue. Tom Brandt, a farmer from Plymouth, tells Brownfield, “We have a tremendous problem of nitrates from one end of the state to the other. We need to identify what the problem is, identify…… Continue Reading
Far-reaching concerns from USDA cuts
Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins has confirmed more than 15,000 employees are taking a buyout from the USDA and the president of the National Farmers Union says it’s alarming. Rob Larew says the USDA’s efforts to root out waste, fraud and abuse are admirable – but the move is already impacting producers at a local level.…… Continue Reading
A critical point in the fight against New World screwworm
The head lobbyist with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association says the U.S. is at a critical point in the fight against New World screwworm. Ethan Lane with NCBA says the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has resumed its eradication efforts. “In central Mexico, APHIS believes that really is the last chance we have…… Continue Reading
