Interest in sustainable aviation fuel is soaring in Asia. Minnesota Soybean Growers executive director Joe Smentek recently traveled to Hong Kong as part of a USDA trade mission and says there were discussions about the carbon scores of SAF feedstocks. “Hong Kong is really interested in sustainable aviation fuel, so it’s really important to be…… Continue Reading
Illinois wheat growers optimistic about ’25 crop
A small grains breeder at the University of Illinois says results from this year’s Illinois Wheat Association annual winter wheat tour are encouraging. “No news is good news. We didn’t really see anything out of the ordinary.” Dr. Jessica Rutkoski says despite weather challenges the tour of roughly 20 southern Illinois counties shows a relatively…… Continue Reading
USAPEEC president says layer and turkey flocks continue to rebound following HPAI outbreaks
The president and CEO of the USA Poultry and Egg Export Council says that reported cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza have slowed in recent weeks. But, Greg Tyler tells Brownfield, “The outbreaks are going to continue, I don’t think we’re going to see a slowdown on that.” He says the layer and turkey industries…… Continue Reading
Cash dairy prices steady to higher Wednesday
Cash dairy prices were steady to higher in light trading Wednesday on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Dry whey was up $0.01 at $0.5350. No sales were recorded. Forty-pound cheese blocks were up $0.0350 at $1.9350. Two sales were recorded at that price. Cheese barrels were up $0.0275 at $1.8625. No sales were recorded. Butter has remained…… Continue Reading
Wisconsin manure spill under investigation
An unexpected heavy rain in a short period of time is a factor in a recent Wisconsin manure spill. Ben Uvaas with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources tells Brownfield the farm used low-disturbance manure injection, which performed well in most of the field. “There were a couple of parts of the field where that…… Continue Reading
Iowa farmers receive rain “at the right time”
Iowa’s state climatologist says recent rains came at the right time. “To bank some soil moisture right now with the heavier amounts we saw across the state, it’s excellent news,” said Dr. Justin Glisan with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship Glisan says precipitation deficits were beginning to add up, but a recent…… Continue Reading
Layoffs announced at Ames-based Chevron REG
A round of layoffs is set to occur next month at Ames, Iowa-based Chevron Renewable Energy Group. According to data on the Iowa Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification website, 70 Chevron employees will be laid off effective June 18th. The workforce reduction comes amid some uncertainty in the biodiesel industry. As previously reported on Brownfield,…… Continue Reading
Nearly 20 USDA advisory committees halted
The U.S. Ag Secretary is terminating seven advisory committees and pausing eight others following Executive Orders to reduce and restructure the federal government. Eliminated committees include the Advisory Committee on Agriculture Statistics, which until November was in the process of reestablishing to ensure statistical accuracy and that the agency was meeting the needs of stakeholders, including…… Continue Reading
Indiana 4-H sees program growth with record project numbers
Photo provided by Indiana 4-H. Indiana’s 4-H program continues to see growth. Tony Carrell, acting program director, says the program set a record during the 2023-2024 year of more than 155,000 projects exhibited. He says these experiences provide members with valuable life skills. “Whether they decide to go to a four year college, a two-year…… Continue Reading
Midwest farmland values up slightly in first quarter
A policy advisor at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago says land values in the Seventh District were up slightly from a year ago in the first quarter of 2025. David Oppedahl says a few factors led land values 1% higher than the first quarter of 2024. “And up 4% from the fourth quarter.” He…… Continue Reading
