Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig says water quality continues to be a major focus in the state. He tells Brownfield the state has been restoring some abandoned coal mine properties. “We’re working with landowners and restoring them to more useful productive ground like hay ground or pasture ground. They can really be beautiful sites and…… Continue Reading
Accurate forecasts vital for farmers
An agronomist with Bayer says accurate weather forecasts are vital for modern agriculture. Lance Tarochione, who covers west central Illinois, says farmers rely on weather data, especially during planting season. “Farmers are more obsessed with weather than weather men are I think.” He says, “We can’t help but look at it because so many of…… Continue Reading
2025 broiler placements stay ahead of 2024
There were minimal changes to broiler sets and placements over the past week. The USDA says 249.275 million broiler-type chicks were set into incubation, down 225,000 on the week, but up slightly on the year, with average hatchability improving just a little to 79%. Placements of broiler-type chicks into meat production were 192.428 million head,…… Continue Reading
Policy uncertainty creating some SAF challenges
Photo by Brownfield’s Erin Anderson. A lack of policy for sustainable aviation fuel has created some industry challenges. David Cobb with Clean Fuels Alliance America says SAF production is taking shape. “It’s underway, but it’s very small,” he says. “Once we get policies right, and I think we will eventually, that will help to get…… Continue Reading
Ethanol production, supply down on week, up on year
U.S. ethanol production trickled lower last week. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says the average daily output of 1.02 million barrels a day was down 20,000 on the week, but up 55,000 on the year. Iowa State University’s Center for Agricultural and Rural Development says the estimated operating margin for the average Iowa plant did…… Continue Reading
“Million dollar” rain brings some relief to ranchers in Nebraska
A rancher in the Nebraska Sandhills says recent moisture has brought significant relief to drought conditions. “It was just about the perfect rain. I couldn’t have asked for a better rain.” Jaclyn Wilson of Lakeside tells Brownfield the half inch to inch rain Tuesday night was desperately needed. “It was one of those slow moving,…… Continue Reading
Nebraska farmer eyeing the finish line for planting
An east central Nebraska farmer says it’s been an unusually quick planting season. Chris Clausen of Schuyler tells Brownfield it’s been warm and dry. “Corn is probably 80 to 85 percent finished in our area, and soybeans are in the 50 percent range. We just haven’t gotten any moisture in the last 5 weeks.” He…… Continue Reading
On-farm poultry processing bill advancing in Illinois
The deputy director of the Illinois Stewardship Alliance says a proposal gaining momentum in the state legislature would expand on-farm processing exemptions for poultry producers. Liz Rupel tells Brownfield it would increase the state’s exemption from 5,000 chickens per year. “We are asking for it to increase to 7,500 to process those chickens on farm…… Continue Reading
Cash dairy prices higher except butter Wednesday
Cash dairy prices were higher except butter Wednesday on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Dry whey was up $0.0250 at $0.55. One sale was recorded at that price. Forty-pound cheese blocks were up $0.0350 at $1.82. Seven sales were recorded, ranging from $1.7850 to $1.83. Cheese barrels were up $0.0075 at $1.80. Five sales were recorded,…… Continue Reading
Soil crust an issue as corn emerges across north Iowa
Soil crusting is a concern for farmers in north Iowa who planted corn ahead of Easter weekend. Josh Hitzhusen of rural Rockwell says it’s too early to tell if emergence is uneven. “We don’t know if the corn is going to leaf out underground or if it’s going to come through. Just from Monday to…… Continue Reading
