Farmers can now sign up for continuous and general Conservation Reserve Program options through USDA’s Farm Service Agency. South Dakota farmer Lynn Tjeerdsma has had land enrolled in the program since it began 40 years ago. “CRP is no longer considered where we put the whole landscape in, the whole farm,” he says. “We need…… Continue Reading
Planting winding down in southwest Iowa
Planting has wrapped up for a southwest Iowa farmer. Ray Gaesser tells Brownfield he finished his last field on Monday but the bulk of his progress ended last week. “Most people have finished up around here. I will say that the corn stands look really good and the soybean stands look good. We’re off to…… Continue Reading
Ethanol leaders pleased with 45Z inclusion, but room for improvement
Biofuel industry leaders are happy to see the proposed extension of Clean Fuel Production Credits known as 45Z in the Budget Reconciliation Bill, but they say there’s room for improvement. Brian Jennings with the American Coalition for Ethanol tells Brownfield the prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements that were tied to most of the Biden era…… Continue Reading
Frequent spells of showers, storms across the Heartland ahead of much cooler air
Looking ahead, the 6- to 10-day outlook calls for the likelihood of below-normal temperatures across much of the northern half of the U.S., while warmer-than-normal weather will prevail in California, western Nevada, and from the southern Plains to the southern Atlantic Coast. Meanwhile, near- or above-normal precipitation across most of the country should contrast with…… Continue Reading
Push continues to shore up Illinois food system funding
The deputy director of the Illinois Stewardship Alliance says several groups are working to ensure a state program aimed at strengthening local food systems continues. Liz Rupel says the Local Food Infrastructure Grant (LFIG) has helped farmers expand and brought more economic resilience to communities. “Nineteen projects across the state.” She says, “All the…… Continue Reading
Broiler sets, placements larger than last week, last year
Another week, another week-to-week and year-to-year rise for broiler sets and placements. The USDA says 251.651 million broiler-type eggs were set into incubation, up 891,000 on the week and 1% on the year, with average hatchability remaining at 79%. 193.577 million broiler-type chicks were placed into meat production, 817,000 above a week ago and 1%…… Continue Reading
Ethanol production lowest in more than a year
U.S. ethanol production hit a more than one-year low last week. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says production averaged 993,000 barrels per day, a decline of 27,000 from the previous week and 7,000 from a year ago. That’s the lowest daily average since the week ending May 3rd, 2024. Iowa State University’s Center for Agricultural…… Continue Reading
Ragland tells Senate Committee China trade dispute is impacting soybean farmers
The president of the American Soybean Association says the on-going trade dispute with China could have severe impacts on the industry. Testifying before the US Senate Finance Committee Wednesday morning, Kentucky farmer Caleb Ragland said US soybeans are still facing a duty into the largest export market. “If the retaliatory tariffs return or escalate after…… Continue Reading
Central Illinois farmer optimistic 2025 can be profitable
A central Illinois farmer says he’s optimistic that 2025 can still be a profitable growing season. John Klemm, who grows corn and soybeans in DeWitt County, says there’s a lot of time left in the marketing year. “The price of commodities may be down today, but we don’t know what our final year return is…… Continue Reading
Senator says UK, China agreements could lay groundwork for more market access
A US Senator from Kansas says he’s cautiously optimistic that recent trade agreements in principle could expand market access for ag producers. Roger Marshall tells Brownfield the deal with the UK could help lay the groundwork for additional agreements with other countries. “We would like to be able to sell beef in Europe and of…… Continue Reading
