Producers could start signing up for USDA’s Supplemental Disaster Relief Program as early as next week. The USDA has targeted July 7th for enrolling producers for indemnified crop losses and September 15 for uncovered losses from weather events in 2023–2024. The program replaces USDA’s Wildfires and Hurricanes Indemnity Program and the Emergency Relief Program. USDA…… Continue Reading
Tar spot prevalent in 5 Iowa counties
A southwest Iowa farmer says he’s concerned about tar spot now that the crop disease has been detected in a nearby county. Ray Gaesser of Adams County tells Brownfield, “We are monitoring it. There was some in Audubon County a couple weeks ago. I haven’t heard of any close by here. All those kind of…… Continue Reading
Study shows corn farming a major driver for U.S. economy
The chief economist with the National Corn Growers Association says a new study shows corn farming is a major driver of the U.S. economy. Krista Swanson says it reaches over 500 different industry sectors in all 50 states. “In 2024, corn farmers in the United States grew 14.9 billion bushels of corn that was valued…… Continue Reading
Wisconsin budget supports ag exports, dairy processors, research, roads
Wisconsin’s dairy industry will continue to benefit from state budget investments. Rebekah Sweeney with the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association tells Brownfield the budget provides $2 million in continued funding for the Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports (WIAE). “It’s been a tremendous return on investment. Last year, for instance, a 500-thousand dollar investment in dairy exporting…… Continue Reading
Nebraska farmer says there is plenty of uncertainty heading into the summer
A south-central Nebraska farmer says this is one of most unpredictable growing seasons in his career. Michael Dibbern tells Brownfield margins have been a moving target and it became harder after the Israel and Iran conflict due an increase in fertilizer prices. “My concern going forward are these input prices and what they’ll do…… Continue Reading
Global plant genetics company GDM to acquire AgReliant Genetics
Global plant genetics company GDM has announced its plan to acquire AgReliant Genetics. In a statement to Brownfield, AgReliant Genetics CEO Brian Barker says the agreement will enhance innovation abilities to help farmers address agronomic challenges. Barker is expected to become GDM’s North American business leader. Upon completion, GDM would become the fourth largest corn…… Continue Reading
Northern Iowa rains eliminate drought concerns
A north-central Iowa farmer says a wetter than normal June has made it difficult to get some field work done. Brent Renner tells Brownfield the week of June 23rd was especially wet. “A lot of four-inch reports and some fives in a 24-hour period,” he said. “That’s more than we’d like to see at one…… Continue Reading
Weather forecast not bad for U.S. corn
A market analyst says the weather forecast looks favorable across the Corn Belt so far as the U.S. corn crop goes through pollination. Jody Lawrence with Strategic Trading Advisors tells Brownfield… “There’s no excessive heat and plenty of soil moisture. The Western Corn Belt got a lot of rain in the last week to 10…… Continue Reading
Grassley praises One Big Beautiful Bill ahead of final House vote
Lawmakers in the U.S. House have advanced President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill to a final vote. While the House continued debate on the legislation Thursday morning, U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley says the Senate’s version includes key wins for farmers and ranchers. “Including tax provisions like 199A,” he said. “It also prevents a dramatic increase…… Continue Reading
U.S. and Japan work through trade negotiations
President Trump says Japan doesn’t want American grown rice and he’s threatened higher tariffs as a result. Arlan Suderman with Stone X Group says the message from President Trump is likely a point of leverage as trade negotiations continue. “To try and maybe get them to give on other points.” Suderman says the type of…… Continue Reading
