A farm management specialist with the University of Illinois says some farmland values declined slightly in the first half of 2025. Gary Schnitkey says a mid-year survey of the state’s farm managers and others associated with real estate shows a continued softening. “Overall, we’re seeing slight declines in farmland prices from the beginning of the…… Continue Reading
Economist says beef cow slaughter remains a statistic to watch
A livestock economist says the slowdown in beef cow slaughter this year is significant. Kenny Burdine with the University of Kentucky says it is about 17 percent below last year. “I’m pretty convinced we’re going to see more cows in 2026,” he says. “Not a big number, but something probably in a 1/2 percent range…… Continue Reading
Long-term ag research keys in on profitability
An extension educator says research comparing the profitability of different management systems should help farmers better adapt to weather and market volatility. Christine Charles has been studying profitability outcomes from Michigan State University’s Long-Term Agroecosystem Project for the past three years. “We’re finding that even when our corn hasn’t yielded as much in the aspirational system, we are…… Continue Reading
Retired fire chief now SoyFoam advocate
A retired firefighter and cancer survivor is urging widespread adoption of SoyFoam. Pat Butler joined the fire service in 1975 and used high-expansion foams containing PFAS chemicals for decades. “We used it, we trained with it, I mean, I’d wallowed in it up to my knees in the foam,” he shares. “You’re always working with…… Continue Reading
Superior Ag’s new Ohio River terminal could help increase fertilizer access for farmers
The president and CEO of Superior Ag says its new Ohio River terminal could help increase fertilizer access for farmers. Richard Lloyd says the more than $20 million facility is designed to meet growing demand. “It will be just a little over 30 thousand tons of dry capacity to be able to store fertilizer,” he…… Continue Reading
Farmers for Free Trade initiative advocates for additional market opportunities
The ag industry continues to advocate for additional market access for its products. Farmers for Free Trade Executive Director Brian Kuehl says it’s critical that U.S. producers have opportunities in other countries. “Ninety-five of the world’s consumers live outside of the United States. Twenty-five percent of American farm revenue comes from exports. If we’re not…… Continue Reading
Corn demand concerns
The chief market strategist with Zaner Ag Hedge says he’ll be closely watching corn demand numbers in the USDA’s next supply and demand report. Ted Seifried tells Brownfield, “The USDA upped production by a whole lot by adding acres and by adding yield, but they also added 545 million bushels in demand total.” He says,…… Continue Reading
Harvest is ramping up in some of the primary sugarbeet growing regions of the U.S. Andy Finkral with ACH Seeds covers Michigan, Minnesota, and western Nebraska. “A lot of the markets have started some preharvest activities, probably all of them now have started this week. Some started as early as a couple of weeks ago…… Continue Reading
Some changes, some familiarity for Wisconsin Soybean program
The Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board has a new marketing and communications partner who is familiar with the board’s goals. Doug Monson tells Brownfield he worked with the Wisconsin group while at Ag Management Solutions, but he left to join Forward Minded Media. “They asked me to come on board and create an ag department, which meant…… Continue Reading
Potash recognized as critical mineral, TFI pushing for phosphate to be added next
The vice president of government affairs for The Fertilizer Institute says including potash on the official critical minerals list could help increase access for farmers. Ed Thomas says the U.S. relies on foreign adversaries for its current fertilizer supply. “It could reduce that time to get additional domestic supply on the market,” he says. “Just…… Continue Reading
