Farmers are facing the prospect of little to no opportunity to sell soybeans at a profit this year. Southeast Nebraska farmer Kurt Ohnoutka says continued market weakness is concerning. “We need to get these commodity prices, especially soybeans, up. We knew going into this year we were going to be farming for a loss on…… Continue Reading
MAHA report targets ultra-processed foods, Rollins says farmers part of the solution
Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins says the Make America Healthy Again Commission report doesn’t demonize American agricultural practices. “What I have been very encouraged by is that Secretary Kennedy, when we were in Texas together and our dozens and dozens of conversations, that none of this will compromise the ability of our American agriculture to do…… Continue Reading
Soybean buyers visit Indiana for USSEC Soybean Oil Masters Program
Buyers from around the world are in Indiana to better understand the U.S. soybean industry and how it operates. Fradbelin Escarraman, Dominican Republic and Jamaica market lead with the U.S. Soybean Export Council, says the visitors are taking part in the Soybean Oil Master’s Program. “They get to see firsthand how soy is grown, that technology and how…… Continue Reading
China buys U.S. pork, cotton
The USDA says China bought U.S. pork during the week ending May 15th. That was first purchase of U.S. pork by China since late March, when trade tensions between the two countries began to escalate. Both parties recently announced an agreement to temporarily reduce tariffs and engage in trade negotiations. Total pork sales were up…… Continue Reading
Farmers for Soil Health in a wait-and-see
The CEO of the United Soybean Board says it’s unclear what will happen with the Farmers for Soil Health sustainability initiative. “Like a lot of other programs, we’re in a wait-and-see at the moment.” Lucas Lentsch tells Brownfield… “We know, farmers know and every farmer in our board room understands the resiliency of agriculture and…… Continue Reading
Rains help improve growing conditions in Iowa
An extension agronomist says growing conditions are favorable across Iowa. Meaghan Anderson with Iowa State University says farmers recently received some much-needed rains. “I’ve seen a few fields where it looked like there was corn seed sitting in dry soil waiting to get a drink of water so that it could start that germination process.…… Continue Reading
Factors farmers may want to consider for replanting
An agronomist says there are several factors that farmers should consider before replanting after this year’s excessive rainfall. Trey Stephens with Beck’s Hybrids covers southeast Nebraska and says standing water in fields can become problematic. “(If) those plants are under ponding water from 24 to 48 hours oxygen begins to decrease, and you just start…… Continue Reading
Ag lending specialist sees more farmer exits
An ag lending specialist suggests a rising number of farmers are leaving the industry. Ashley Arrington with Ag Resource Management (ARM) says working capital began to erode on many operations last year as balance sheets weakened. “We had a much higher number than expected of farmers that we expected to come back when we were…… Continue Reading
Protecting stored grain from insects
A pest management expert says crop farmers should prioritize insect control in their stored grain. Miya Butler with Central Life Sciences says insects can interfere with grain quality and the ability to move grain into the market. “The economic loss can be felt throughout the grain storage process because we’re not able to deliver as…… Continue Reading
Spring planting delays turn into prevent plant
A Mississippi farmer says spring planting is more than one month behind schedule due to consistent rains and narrow planting windows. Philip Good tells Brownfield he’s lost track of how much rain the farm has received since Easter. “I seem to be stuck right on the front where it’s every day or in some days,…… Continue Reading
