A specialty crop grower says this is the first year H-2A guest worker wages have declined on his farm in more than a decade. Fourth-generation farmer Derek Oomen tells Brownfield the constant wage increases have become a major financial strain. “It’s just really, really hard when you’re in a system like that and you’re competing…… Continue Reading
Judge rules to lift federal funding freeze, some USDA grants in limbo
A lead attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center says the federal government has been ordered to release frozen grant funds. “Those grants should start flowing again immediately.” Kym Meyer tells Brownfield President Trump’s executive order to freeze and terminate 32 Inflation Reduction Act and Inflation Investment and Jobs Act grants violated the Administrative Procedures…… Continue Reading
Cheese prices down, butter up entering holiday weekend
Cash dairy prices were mixed going into the holiday weekend Friday on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Dry whey was unchanged at $0.5425. No sales were recorded. Forty-pound cheese blocks were down $0.0775 at $1.87. Three sales were recorded, ranging from $1.87 to $1.88. Cheese barrels were down $0.0175 at $1.8525. Two sales were recorded, at…… Continue Reading
On the lookout for cutworms
The outreach agronomist with the Illinois Soybean Association says farmers should be on the lookout for cutworms. Stephanie Porter says the timing of insect and crop development means some fields could be at risk. “Based on some of the catches across the state, this would be about the time where you could start to see…… Continue Reading
Will Prop 12 fix be part of “skinny” farm bill?
A congressional solution for Proposition 12 remains in limbo. Compeer Financial vice president of legislative affairs Perry Aasness says the House-passed reconciliation bill does not include language addressing California’s livestock confinement law. “The Prop 12 fix is a great example of those sorts of provisions that would normally be part of a farm bill that…… Continue Reading
Can deer season please get here faster?
On the latest episode of Outdoor Adventures, Brownfield’s Brent Barnett has a conversation with Indiana hunter Josh Teulker, host of the YouTube show @beforetheecho. They talk about managing their home life with their hunting time, as well as their eagerness for the 2025 deer season to get here. The post Can deer season please get…… Continue Reading
Ag Secretary says updates to dietary guidelines could be released earlier than expected
Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins says work continues to revise the draft dietary guidelines. During a call Thursday about the Make America Healthy Again Commission report, she told reporters, “I think what you’re going to see is a whole new day Rollins announced earlier this year that she and Department of Health and Human Services…… Continue Reading
Crop protection tools get attention in MAHA report
A new report from the Make America Healthy Again Commission is causing the ag industry to pause. The 68-page report features studies showing possible health risks from glyphosate and atrazine and bias in company-funded studies on product safety. Daren Coppock with the Ag Retailers Association tells Brownfield… “If there are two pesticides that have been…… Continue Reading
Weed pressure ramping up in Iowa
An extension agronomist says weed pressure is picking up steam in Iowa crop fields. Meaghan Anderson with Iowa State University says weeds have been more prevalent in corn. “They need to be sprayed in most fields I’ve been in,” she said. “In some cases, I think our herbicides aren’t lasting quite as long as I…… Continue Reading
World Food Prize announces Illinois Youth Institute
The World Food Prize Foundation is expanding its youth programming into Illinois. Foundation CEO Tom Vilsack, a former governor of Iowa and former U.S. Ag Secretary, says they are partnering with the University of Illinois Chicago to create an Illinois Youth Institute. “Illinois for many years did not have its own program. It had to…… Continue Reading
