This episode of Outdoor Adventures is a content partnership with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Jeff Wenzel and Teresa Wortmann from MODHSS talk with Brownfield’s Brent Barnett about the impacts of lead exposure and some precautions that can be taken during outdoor activities. The post National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week runs October…… Continue Reading
Moran: lawmakers exploring ways to expand farmer assistance programs
A U.S. Senator from Kansas says some members of the Senate Appropriations Committee met on Wednesday to discuss how to fund farmer relief. Jerry Moran tells Brownfield “when it’s determined by the administration the total amount of funds necesseary, how do we collect those funds and make them available in a legal, statuatory manner?” He…… Continue Reading
Researchers find cows can be bred to milk at consistent speeds, boosting parlor efficiency
Researchers have found dairy cows can be bred to milk at more consistent speeds. Katie Schmitt with the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding says researchers have collected milking information about individual cows from farmers’ parlor systems and found a genetic trait that is 42% heritable. “We take information off the sensor data in the parlor…… Continue Reading
Soybeans finish week higher as solid domestic demand provides boost
Soybeans were higher on commercial and technical buying, cementing a higher weekly finish. Domestic demand continues to be solid, reflected in Wednesday’s NOPA September crush numbers, and there was some help from another round of gains in bean meal. The trade’s watching the U.S. harvest and planting in South America. The U.S. harvest has likely…… Continue Reading
Ethanol backers say government delays stall year-round E15 progress
Ethanol supporters say year-round E15 continues to face a difficult road in Washington D.C. Chairman of the Nebraska Ethanol Board Jan TenBensel, a farmer from McCook, says the industry is becoming more frustrated. “The market is hungry for more ethanol in the system. We have the capacity. We have the corn. We just need these…… Continue Reading
2026 seed choices underway: agronomist stresses importance of the right traits
2026 seed decisions are happening now on many corn and soybean farms. Riley Sandmeyer is an agronomist with Minnesota-based New Vision Cooperative and says it’s critical the right hybrid or variety is selected for each field. “For instance, I understand the traits are a little bit more expensive, but what you really want to do…… Continue Reading
Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: October 17, 2025
Dec. corn $4.22 and 1/2, up 3/4 centNov. soybeans $10.19 and 1/2, up 8 and 3/4 centsDec. soybean meal $281.00, up $4.10Dec. soybean oil 51.13, up 26 pointsDec. Chicago wheat $5.03 and 3/4, up 1 and 1/4 centsDec. live cattle $241.82, down $6.05Nov. feeder cattle $371.70, down $9.25Dec. lean hogs $82.37, down 22 centsNov. Class…… Continue Reading
HPAI in Ottawa County backyard poultry
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has confirmed another case of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Ottawa County. The state says the backyard flock is the county’s second detection of the virus this month and the fourth case since the beginning of the year. The virus has only been confirmed in West Michigan…… Continue Reading
Cattle markets tumble after President hints at possible beef price deal
A commodity broker says cattle markets panicked on Friday following an announcement late Thursday from the President that there could be a deal to lower beef prices. Brad Kooima of Kooima Kooima Varilek says the lack of clear information creates room for interpretation. “He happens to have just met with the Argentina president, but…… Continue Reading
Dry conditions could carry over into next growing season
The associate director of the Midwestern Regional Climate Center says widespread drought conditions could be a challenge for farmers heading into 2026. Melissa Widhelm says above normal temperatures for much of October have contributed to an expansion of dry conditions. “We have some places that are down six to fifteen inches below normal for this time…… Continue Reading
