A rancher in the Nebraska Sandhills says recent moisture has brought significant relief to drought conditions. “It was just about the perfect rain. I couldn’t have asked for a better rain.” Jaclyn Wilson of Lakeside tells Brownfield the half inch to inch rain Tuesday night was desperately needed. “It was one of those slow moving,…… Continue Reading
Nebraska farmer eyeing the finish line for planting
An east central Nebraska farmer says it’s been an unusually quick planting season. Chris Clausen of Schuyler tells Brownfield it’s been warm and dry. “Corn is probably 80 to 85 percent finished in our area, and soybeans are in the 50 percent range. We just haven’t gotten any moisture in the last 5 weeks.” He…… Continue Reading
On-farm poultry processing bill advancing in Illinois
The deputy director of the Illinois Stewardship Alliance says a proposal gaining momentum in the state legislature would expand on-farm processing exemptions for poultry producers. Liz Rupel tells Brownfield it would increase the state’s exemption from 5,000 chickens per year. “We are asking for it to increase to 7,500 to process those chickens on farm…… Continue Reading
Cash dairy prices higher except butter Wednesday
Cash dairy prices were higher except butter Wednesday on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Dry whey was up $0.0250 at $0.55. One sale was recorded at that price. Forty-pound cheese blocks were up $0.0350 at $1.82. Seven sales were recorded, ranging from $1.7850 to $1.83. Cheese barrels were up $0.0075 at $1.80. Five sales were recorded,…… Continue Reading
Soil crust an issue as corn emerges across north Iowa
Soil crusting is a concern for farmers in north Iowa who planted corn ahead of Easter weekend. Josh Hitzhusen of rural Rockwell says it’s too early to tell if emergence is uneven. “We don’t know if the corn is going to leaf out underground or if it’s going to come through. Just from Monday to…… Continue Reading
Net farm income expected to improve in 2025
An extension economist expects net farm income to improve this year. Pauline Van Nurden with the University of Minnesota says USDA’s Economic Research Service projects a 26 percent improvement compared to 2024. “And that’s for all types of farms across the United States, so within that crop farms are still expected to see a challenging…… Continue Reading
Budzinski optimistic for year-round E-15
A member of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee is optimistic that year-round, nationwide E-15 could soon be a reality. Illinois congresswoman Nikki Budzinski says the recent EPA waiver allowing nationwide summertime sales is a good sign. “With this waiver coming out of the administration, we know they’re paying attention to this as well.” She says,…… Continue Reading
Michigan supports food systems investment
The Director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development says supporting the linkages throughout the food supply chain strengthens entire economies. Tim Boring tells Brownfield more emphasis needs to be placed on food production and the communities it supports. “It’s certainly important for those rural economies that are built on these processors, the…… Continue Reading
Growing biofuels infrastructure
Photo by Brownfield’s Erin Anderson. Fuel retailers are working on expanding access to E15 across the country. Ron English with JT Petroleum says it’s all hands-on deck to expand consumer access to E15. “We tend to price it very aggressively on our end,” he says. “If there’s any more incentives and rebates, obviously that will…… Continue Reading
Economist says Mexico could be number one export market for US ag products
An economist says Mexico’s purchases of US ag exports is one of the biggest success stories in the last decade. Rob Fox, director of Knowledge Exchange with CoBank tells Brownfield, “I’d be shocked that within the next couple of years that Mexico is our number one export market and never look back.” A recent report…… Continue Reading
