A national wheat contest winner says every management decision needs to have a return on investment. Jeff Krohn tells Brownfield yielding more than 170 bushels per acre of soft white winter wheat starts with ideal fall conditions. “We treat our wheat very, very well,” he shares. “We start early in the fall with putting some…… Continue Reading
MO legislature approves Farm Bureau health plan bill
Missouri Farm Bureau is another step closer to offering a health plan to its members. On Thursday, state lawmakers approved Senate Bill 79, a bill sponsored by State Senator Kurtis Gregory, that allows the non-profit membership organization to offer a health plan. “It’s really been three years in the making,” says Garrett Hawkins, president, Missouri…… Continue Reading
Input costs continue to push crop farmers below breakeven
An ag economist says rising input costs are expected to pressure profitability for row crop producers. Purdue University’s Michael Langemeier tells Brownfield farmers did see some relief when it comes to the cost of fuel and fertilizer in 2024. But, “Even though prices have stopped increasing as much, they’re still high compared to what they were prior…… Continue Reading
Minnesota leaders set budget targets, including agriculture
Minnesota legislative leaders and Governor Walz have agreed on state budget targets, including for agriculture. Minnesota Farm Bureau director of public policy Loren Dauer says Republican and Democrat caucus leadership met with Walz this Thursday morning. “And we were very fortunate to see a $9 million budget target above base for this biennium, along with…… Continue Reading
Pennycress advancements bringing new potential
A professor of plant breeding with Western Illinois University says advancements in pennycress genetic research are leading it closer to becoming a commercial crop option for farmers. Dr. Win Phippen tells Brownfield, “Ever since 2009, we’ve had an active breeding program to start focusing on what agronomic traits were needed in pennycress to essentially domesticate…… Continue Reading
Cattle futures sharply lower on technical selling
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were sharply lower on technical selling, watching direct business develop. June live cattle closed $2.77 lower at $211.17 and August live cattle closed $3.52 lower at $205.85. August feeder cattle closed $6.15 lower at $295.82 and September feeder cattle closed $6.35 lower at $294.62. There was…… Continue Reading
Agritourism an opportunity for farm diversification
Agritourism could boost the bottom line of farms struggling with depressed commodity prices. University of Minnesota Extension educator DeeDee LeMier specializes in community economics and says farming has always been a field that requires exploring new crops, new technologies, and adjusting to changing weather and family dynamics. “If you have a lot of hands available…… Continue Reading
Soybeans drop on soybean oil, planting weather
Soybeans were sharply lower on fund and technical selling. Soybeans followed bean oil, which was down sharply on RVO concerns and the drop in crude oil. That drop in crude was tied to global supply expectations with reports Iran is willing to end its pursuit of nuclear weapons if sanctions are dropped. Soybean meal was…… Continue Reading
USDA to restore climate-focused webpages amid lawsuit
The USDA is expected to bring back climate-focused webpages after some farm and environmental groups recently filed a lawsuit. Rebecca Riley, managing director of food and agriculture with the Natural Resources Defense Council, says the USDA had purged web information on climate-smart farming, accessing federal loans, forest conservation, and rural clean energy projects. “USDA provides…… Continue Reading
EPA submits RVO proposal to White House OMB
The US Environmental Protection Agency has submitted its proposed renewable volume obligations to the White House Office of Management and Budget for review. Paul Winters is the Director of Public Affairs and Federal Communications with Clean Fuels Alliance America says it’s clear the industry is prepared to meet increased demand. “The 2026 volume should be…… Continue Reading
