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
New H-2A processing could lead to delays
An ag attorney says farmers utilizing the H-2A guest worker program could see significant delays with new immigration requirements at U.S. Consulates. Arkansas-based William L. Mencer says every worker now has to do an in-person interview. “The Trump administration folks at the consulates and at the State Department are really cracking down on the interview…… Continue Reading
Cash dairy prices end week mostly lower
Cash dairy prices were mostly lower Friday at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Dry whey was down $0.0150 at $0.5550. Three sales were recorded, ranging from $0.5550 to $0.56. Forty-pound cheese blocks were down $0.03 at $1.75. Six sales were recorded, ranging from $1.75 to $1.7650. Cheese barrels were down $0.05 at $1.76. No sales were…… Continue Reading
Farmer says H-2A program has uncertain future for her operation
A farmer in eastern Kansas says rising labor costs tied to a federal visa program may not be financially sustainable for her operation. Lavell Winsor says wages for H-2A guest workers continue to climb at an unmanageable rate. “I know that in a year or two, we’re going to have to reevaluate whether or not…… Continue Reading
Dry conditions expand in parts of central U.S.
A climatologist says some areas of the Corn Belt saw some expansion of dry conditions over the last week. Lindsay Johnson with the National Drought Mitigation Center says most of the abnormally dry conditions are occurring in parts of the Eastern Corn Belt. “Once you get to southern Illinois and go east, a lot of…… Continue Reading
