U.S. egg production was down in May. The USDA says egg production last month totaled 8.586 billion, a drop of 6% on the year, with the laying hen flock 5% smaller than a year ago at 351.032 million head and a slight year-to-year decline in average production per layer to 2,446 eggs per 100 birds.…… Continue Reading
2024 RMA yields trigger some farm safety net payments
A professor of farm management at the University of Illinois says the recently released 2024 yield data from the Risk Management Agency will trigger farm safety net payments for some farmers. Gary Schnitkey says some areas of Illinois should see Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) payments. “Most counties still won’t get a payment on ARC county…… Continue Reading
John Deere headed to court over FTC Right to Repair lawsuit
The director of Penn State’s agricultural law center says a federal judge’s decision to dismiss John Deere’s lawsuit over its right-to-repair policy could impact farmers’ ability to repair their own equipment. Ross Pifer tells Brownfield, “Farmers want to be able to fix their own equipment or determine who is going to fix that equipment rather…… Continue Reading
Weather systems are not bringing rain to everyone
Rainfall amounts have varied widely in Wisconsin during June, affecting crop conditions. Andy Bensend raises corn, wheat, and soybeans near Dallas in northwestern Wisconsin. He tells Brownfield moisture has not been a problem for his farm so far. “Since the last ten days, we’ve been getting enough moisture so that our topsoils are fully recharged. …… Continue Reading
Cash dairy prices mostly lower except butter Monday
Cash dairy prices were mostly lower except butter Monday on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Dry whey was unchanged at $0.57. No sales were recorded. Forty-pound cheese blocks were down $0.0150 at $1.65. Two sales were recorded at $1.65 and $1.6525. Cheese barrels were unchanged at $1.6575. No sales were recorded. Butter prices were up $0.0250 to…… Continue Reading
More wheat in rotation helps Wisconsin farm
A northwestern Wisconsin farmer has been busy haying and spraying but is spraying less after gradually changing his crop rotation plan. Andy Bensend raises corn, soybeans, and wheat in Barron County and does custom harvesting of hay for nearby dairies. He tells Brownfield the sprayers have been out. “We’re doing the second pass of residuals…… Continue Reading
Corn, sorghum export inspections above week ago
The USDA says that as of the week ending June 19th, corn and soybean export inspections remain ahead of what’s needed to meet projections for the current marketing year. The 2024/25 marketing year began September 1st for beans, corn, and sorghum, while 2025/26 got underway June 1st for wheat. The USDA’s next round of supply…… Continue Reading
Early condition ratings suggest soybeans may not achieve record yields
A market analyst is watching the crop condition rating for U.S. soybeans. Michael Cordonnier with Soybean and Corn Advisor says USDA’s good to excellent rating dropped two percentage points last week. “I think it was due to saturated conditions impacting emergence and plant populations for the soybeans. Now it’s very early of course, the soybeans…… Continue Reading
Illinois dairy industry showing stability; helping those in need
The director of commodity programs and food systems with the Illinois Farm Bureau says the state’s dairy industry seems to have stabilized. Tasha Bunting says the industry contraction that’s been experienced in recent years has leveled off. “We are still seeing some of those dairies exit the industry, but we are not decreasing cow numbers…… Continue Reading
Understanding ultra-pasteurized milk
You might notice some milk products have an extended shelf life compared to normal fluid milk; that milk is ultra-pasteurized. Kris Bosquet, the executive Director of the Nebraska State Dairy Association, explains the process. AUDIO: Healthy Living on ultra-pasteurized milk The post Understanding ultra-pasteurized milk appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. … Continue Reading
