An American Farm Bureau economist says the government shutdown has an impact on his job. Danny Munch tells Brownfield government produced data is an important part of what he needs to give farmers vital information they use to make farm business decisions. “That trade data that hasn’t been updated. (and) Some of our regular USDA…… Continue Reading
Nebraska farmer reports mixed results after a season of weather extremes
An eastern Nebraska farmer says extreme weather took a toll on some of his crops this year. Mark McHargue of Central City says corn yields varied. “We had a lot of disease. I think it died early. We harvested a lot of dry corn. The popcorn was in the same situation, probably even more disappointing…… Continue Reading
Great Lakes dairy farmers struggle with labor shortages, finds MSU
Dairy farms across the Great Lakes don’t have the workforce they need, and it’s restricting business operations. MSU economist David Ortega tells Brownfield a recent survey found 15 percent of dairies in Michigan have had a worker shortage since 2020. “That number is actually higher for Michigan than it is for the rest of the region,” he…… Continue Reading
Northern Indiana remains a hotspot for HPAI as new cases emerge
Northern Indiana continues to be a hotspot for new cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. Denise Derrer Spears, the public information director for the Indiana State Board of Animal Health, says there have been sixteen new cases of the virus since mid-October. “The high-risk time for HPAI is the spring and fall wild bird migration season,”…… Continue Reading
Record U.S. ethanol production highlights corn and biofuel demand
More ethanol was produced in the U.S. last week than any other week on record. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says production averaged 1.123 million barrels per day, rising 32,000 on the week and 18,000 on the year. That all-time high comes as ethanol producers try to meet actual and expected demand, with corn more…… Continue Reading
Cash dairy prices mostly unchanged Wednesday
Cash dairy prices were steady except for butter Wednesday at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Dry whey was unchanged at $0.72. No sales were recorded. Forty-pound cheese blocks were unchanged at $1.6475. Six sales were recorded, ranging from $1.64 to $1.6475. Cheese barrels were unchanged at $1.70. No sales were recorded. Butter prices were down $0.0275…… Continue Reading
XtendFlex/Asgrow — Soy
Asgrow® XtendFlex® soybeans continue to help farmers improve yield and profitability. Seed brands are launching 43 new products for 2026. In this episode of Managing for Profit, Lance Tarochione, Technical Agronomist at Bayer Crop Science, discusses how farmers can make smart seed decisions ahead of the 2026 growing season. The post XtendFlex/Asgrow — Soy appeared…… Continue Reading
HPAI spreading in Ottawa County flocks
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has confirmed another two cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Ottawa County. The state says the commercial flocks bring the county’s number of outbreaks this year to seven. Nearly all of the infected flocks confirmed during this fall migration have been reported in Ottawa County. Since…… Continue Reading
Strong returns in the livestock sector drive optimism in the latest Ag Economy Barometer
An ag economist says strong profit margins in the livestock sector led to a rise in this month’s Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer. Professor emeritus Jim Mintert says producers are becoming more optimistic about the financial performance of their operations. “The returns in the cattle sector have just been phenomenal,” he says. “Record high returns…… Continue Reading
Drought trimmed some soybean yields, but overall year called successful by western Illinois farmer
A western Illinois farmer was thrilled with his 2025 crops. Terry Smith, who grows corn and soybeans in Adams County, tells Brownfield… “It’s been a very successful year, it seems like in yields.” He says, “My flat ground had some drowned out issues. It hurt the yield some, but my more rolling ground, the yields…… Continue Reading
