Soybeans were lower on profit taking and technical selling. Planting weather looks favorable in much of the Midwest and Plains into mid-month. The USDA says 30% of the U.S. crop is planted, compared to the five-year average of 23%, with 7% emerged, compared to 5% on average. There was also spillover pressure from crude and…… Continue Reading
Ag research coalition calls for funding in the name of food security
Leaders from the agricultural research community are calling on Congress to prioritize USDA funding amid spending cuts. Michigan State University AgBioResearch Director George Smith tells Brownfield the uncertainty for land-grant universities today is more significant than even during the pandemic. “It’s limiting their ability to do the work that is so important at this period…… Continue Reading
Efforts to increase interest in ag education
A student at Ohio State says there’s a rising interest in students wanting to pursue a career in ag education. Mallory Kramer says Teach Ag Ohio is helping students find careers beyond the traditional ag pathways. “They just think it’s taking your animals to fair, but really you’re advancing your leadership skills, getting involved by taking…… Continue Reading
Ag Retailers Association expects insecticide strategy to be workable
The Ag Retailers Association says EPA’s recently released final insecticide strategy will be more flexible for the agricultural industry. Richard Gupton tells Brownfield modifications show the agency is listening to stakeholders. “ARA has worked with other ag stakeholders to inform them that the proposals that have been put out were not manageable and not workable,…… Continue Reading
Farmers Union advocates for new farm bill during Week of Action
National Farmers Union members are in Washington D.C. this week urging lawmakers to pass a new farm bill. Gary Wertish is president of the Minnesota Farmers Union. “We have over 100 members to advocate for getting action done. We’ve kicked that can down the road two times already, we’ve extended the 2018 Farm Bill. And…… Continue Reading
Corn planting will pick up soon
An agronomist says the short-term weather forecast should encourage more corn planting across South Dakota and Minnesota. Rick Swenson is with Peterson Farms Seed. “The forecast looks great with minimal rain in the next 10 days and I think that’s about as ideal as conditions can get to get the crop in and give it…… Continue Reading
Strong USDA needed to protect farmers
Potato industry leaders say they are concerned about how USDA staffing cuts could impact disease mitigation efforts at the border. Potato researcher and geneticist Dave Douches tells Brownfield the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is the industry’s last line of defense. “They’re helping protect the farmers,” he says. “ If we don’t have the…… Continue Reading
West-central Minnesota farmer makes planting progress
Planting is off to an encouraging start for west-central Minnesota farmer Noah Hultgren. “We finished sugarbeets at the end of last week. We had some rain, which was a good thing. And we’re probably two-thirds done with corn and just have a day of soybean planting in.” Barring rain later this week, he tells Brownfield…… Continue Reading
Study shows 2024 was a record year for biodiesel economic impact
A new study shows that the biodiesel industry helped contribute more than $42 billion to the US economy in 2024. Kate Shenk (shank), director of regulatory affairs with Clean Fuels Alliance America, says the organization’s report makes it clear that 2024 was a record-setting year. “These are real world results showing what we’re delivering for…… Continue Reading
Planting window opens up for Upper Midwest farmers
Ideal planting weather is expected across much of the Midwest this week. Brent Mohn grows corn and soybeans near Lakeville in southern Minnesota. “We missed a few of the rain showers that came through in the last week and-a-half, so we got started on some of our own stuff yesterday. So it’s nice to get…… Continue Reading
