Ohio Farm Bureau’s director of water quality and research says heavy rainfall this spring is impacting phosphorus levels into Lake Erie in 2025. Jordan Hoewischer tells Brownfield the lake is expected to have a mildly moderate algal bloom. “It’s showing that we’ve made some progress, but we still have some room to go,” he says.…… Continue Reading
No changes for planted acres for a pair of WCB farmers
Some Great Plains farmers didn’t change course on planted acres this year for varying reasons. Northeast Nebraska farmer Quentin Connealy says it can be hard to grow a soybean crop in the Missouri River bottom. “I would have been a little bit bean heavy this year, but with the flood last year I was able…… Continue Reading
Impressive Illinois wheat harvest
A southeastern Illinois farmer says an impressive winter wheat harvest is wrapping up in his area. “We finished our wheat, and it was very good. There’s some wheat left, but most of it’s done.” Don Guinnip, who raises row crops and cattle in Clark County, says a very wet spring led to some concerns about…… Continue Reading
Weed management in 2025
Cool and wet weather has shifted weed pressure in parts of Indiana this year. In this episode of Managing for Profit, Purdue University Extension weed scientist Tommy Butts explains how weed control has evolved in 2025 and why sticking with a full-rate herbicide program is best for farmers wanting to tackle tough to control weeds.…… Continue Reading
Final Wisconsin state budget package renews ag road program
The Wisconsin biennial budget package could be sent to the Governor Wednesday, and if signed, would renew a popular rural road improvement program. Farmer and 49th Assembly District representative Travis Tranel tells Brownfield the Agricultural Road Improvement Program, or ARIP will continue through 2027 at the same 150-million dollar funding level as the last biennium.…… Continue Reading
Largely favorable, early-July weather covers much of the Heartland
Across the Corn Belt, showers have ended, except in the Ohio Valley. In the rain’s wake, mild, sunny weather is promoting a rapid pace of corn and soybean development. Growing conditions for Midwestern summer crops remain mostly favorable, with 73% of the U.S. corn rated in good to excellent condition on June 28, along with…… Continue Reading
Near-seasonal warmth & rainfall still ahead for much of the Heartland
Looking ahead, the 6- to 10-day outlook calls for near- or above-normal temperatures and rainfall nationwide. Portions of the Ohio Valley and the middle and northern Atlantic States have the greatest likelihood of experiencing hot conditions. Meanwhile, parts of the Plains, Southeast, and Southwest are more likely to have wetter-than-normal weather The post Near-seasonal warmth…… Continue Reading
Cattle futures lower ahead of direct business
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were lower on technical selling. August live cattle closed $3.12 lower at $210.75 and October live cattle closed $2.37 lower at $207.80. August feeder cattle closed $4.65 lower at $306.02 and September feeder cattle closed $4.97 lower at $305.65. Direct cash cattle trade activity was quiet…… Continue Reading
Yield efficiency key to profitability
An ag economist with the University of Missouri says a key to profitability in 2025 for many row crop farmers will be protecting yield. Ben Brown says depressed prices and elevated costs make every bushel matter. “Generally speaking, you know farm income is going to take a sizable hit in 2026.” He says, “Certainly it’s…… Continue Reading
MO corn is tasseling and soybeans getting bigger
A farmer in northeast Missouri says corn is starting to tassel and the soybeans are getting bigger. “This heat and moisture are starting to turn the crops around and they look pretty good.” Drew Lock says it’s warmer than he’d like for corn pollination, but there’s plenty of moisture in the soil to offset any…… Continue Reading
