Michigan State University’s plant pathologist says he’s reviewing reports of tar spot as it spreads near the Indiana border. Marty Chilvers tells Brownfield, “It looks like it’s probably tar spot, but we just wanted to do some confirmation before we lit the map up.” “I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s being found here in Michigan as well,”…… Continue Reading
No big fireworks from USDA reports
A market analyst says USDA’s two big reports at the end of June didn’t offer many fireworks. Naomi Blohm with Total Farm Marketing says U.S. corn acres were slightly lower than expected and U.S. soybean acres weren’t too far off the USDA’s March estimate. She says the quarterly stocks data was near the average report…… Continue Reading
A Variable Spring Planting Season
Spring planting conditions varied in Missouri. Despite the cool, wet conditions, northern Missouri farmer and Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council board member Chris Mallet says his soybeans are developing well. Hear more about spring planting in the latest Spotlight on Soybeans. The post A Variable Spring Planting Season appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. … Continue Reading
Rice acreage reduction expected in Arkansas
An extension rice agronomist says a reduction in rice acres in Arkansas was expected due to the wet spring. Jarrod Hardke with the University of Arkansas tells Brownfield “when it starts raining April 15 and the lucky ones got a day here and there to plant the following eight weeks. That was the train we…… Continue Reading
Cotton, rice planted area fall from a year ago
Farmers planted fewer cotton and rice acres this year. The USDA says upland cotton planted area in 2025 was 9.949 million acres, 9% less than the 2024 total of 10.976 million acres, partially due to attempts to improve profitability along with questions about demand. Rice is estimated at 2.684 million acres, 8% below a year…… Continue Reading
American Butter Institute urges FDA action on label violation
Dairy producers are again asking the Food and Drug Administration to crack down on imitation dairy product labels. Chris Galen with the American Butter Institute and the National Milk Producers Federation says for decades, plant-based products have misappropriated dairy-specific terms in their product labels, and it’s not just milk. “Almond milk, soy milk are the…… Continue Reading
U.S. soybean exports could face pressure from China and Brazil trade deal
An ag economist at Ohio State University says U.S. soybean exports could face pressure from the recently announced trade deal between China and Brazil. Ian Sheldon tells Brownfield, “In 2023, Brazil’s agricultural exports to China hit $60.24 billion,” he says. “US exports of soybeans to China in 2023 had fallen to less than 30%. The…… Continue Reading
Baldwin says proposed SNAP cuts impact farmers, state budgets
A Wisconsin Senator opposed to reconciliation bill cuts in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program says farmers would be hurt as well as low-income families. Democrat Tammy Baldwin tells Brownfield in her state alone, farm direct food sales to pantries and nutrition programs are impacted. “Those have had significant impacts on farms throughout the State of…… Continue Reading
2025 sorghum acres below 2024
U.S. sorghum planted area dipped in 2025. That was at least partially due to a decline in export demand from China due to trade tensions. The USDA says farmers planted 6.2 million acres to grain sorghum this year, 100,000 less than last year, with harvested area also expected to be below the 2024 total. The…… Continue Reading
Forage Genetics International Alfalfa Tour
Brownfield’s Larry Lee attends the Forage Genetics International Alfalfa Tour The post Forage Genetics International Alfalfa Tour appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. … Continue Reading
