There are mixed reviews from ethanol groups over EPA’s decision to grant small refinery exemptions. Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper says the agency’s action is mostly good news for the ag industry since many petitions were before 2023. “We don’t really expect these exemptions that EPA is granting retroactively will have any…… Continue Reading
Egg production down, but hatching numbers imply rise
Egg production numbers declined again in July, but there are signs of a bounce back. The USDA says 8.791 billion eggs were produced in July 2025, 3% less than July 2024, with the number of laying hens 3% smaller at 358.543 million head, but the average production per 100 layers rising slightly to 2,452 eggs.…… Continue Reading
Cattle placements at high end of estimates
The USDA says 1.598 million cattle were placed into U.S. feedlots during July 2025. That was 6% below July 2024, reflecting tighter available supplies, partially because the U.S. border with Mexico remains closed to feeder cattle imports due to New World screwworm concerns. That was towards the high end of pre-report estimates and included a…… Continue Reading
Red Crown Rot confirmed in Ohio for the first time
Red Crown Rot has been confirmed for the first time in Ohio. OSU Extension soybean pathologist Horacio Lopez-Nicora says it has similar foliar symptoms to Sudden Death Syndrome. “The leaves retain that green color in the veins, but in between those veins, the tissue starts getting yellow and will eventually die,” he says. “The stem itself…… Continue Reading
IFAA continues mission to provide funds for ag youth
The president of the Iowa Foundation for Agricultural Advancement says their organization is committed raising funds for ag youth. Matt Heiller tells Brownfield IFAA rewards the hard work of grand champion and reserve grand champion livestock projects at the Iowa State Fair. “Every day they are spending in the barn – as a family, down…… Continue Reading
Consider narrow rows when planting wheat
A cropping systems agronomist encourages farmers to plant winter wheat in narrow rows to gain yield. Michigan State University’s Manni Singh tells Brownfield, “We have a lot of data showing that going to rows narrower than 7.5 inches in winter wheat, (to) 5-inch row spacings, does pay off.” “It can give you five to 10…… Continue Reading
Soil testing helps growers make timely, informed decisions
The laboratory director for Farmers Edge says soil testing can help farmers manage their fertilizer expenses. Patrick Visser tells Brownfield soil tests can provide a detailed analysis of nutrient levels in crop fields. “Combining soil testing with a great agronomy program can certainly improve your yields, maximize yields where you’ve lost potential, address issues of…… Continue Reading
Minnesota farmer concerned about corn lodging
A southeast Minnesota farmer is concerned about lodging as his corn crop matures. Jason Keck says there’s been plenty of moisture in Steele County this summer, which has helped the crop grow but limited root depth. “In southern Minnesota we’ve had two big wind events that’ve come through. We’ve seen some standability issues, it was…… Continue Reading
Second quarter land values spurred by development demand
A policy advisor with the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago says farmland values surprisingly rose 3% in the second quarter of 2025 from a year earlier. David Oppedahl tells Brownfield, “With the financial conditions looking a little weaker for agriculture, you would maybe anticipate some more weakening of farmland values as well.” He says, “But…… Continue Reading
Indiana farmer says agriculture provides benefits to veterans
The owner of At East Orchard in central Indiana says the ag industry provides opportunities for veterans to thrive in life after service. Joe Ricker tells Brownfield, “We’re an educational farm that helps veterans learn what they can do and what opportunities are out there for them. We have a little bit of everything from…… Continue Reading
