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

Cuts to SNAP could have far-reaching impacts

The vice president of research for Feeding America says reducing funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program could worsen hunger and economic strain across the U.S.  Emily Engelhard says, “Cuts in SNAP will undoubtedly increase food insecurity rates.” She tells Brownfield the program supports local economies. “SNAP benefits stimulate the economy by about $1.54 for every…Continue Reading

Rollins: Agencies aggressively looking at solutions to farm labor

Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins says a multi-agency effort is underway to help improve the nation’s farm labor crisis. “If our farmers can’t have the workforce they need, which many cannot, and don’t have access to. We need to fix that and change it.” Speaking with reporters in Nebraska earlier this week, she said the USDA…Continue Reading

Pillen signs bill banning sale of lab grown protein

Nebraska has become the fourth state to ban lab-grown protein. On Tuesday, Governor Jim Pillen signed a bill into law that bans the production, sale, promotion and distribution in the state. While it doesn’t affect plant-based alternatives, the measure specifically targets proteins derived from animal cells. He says the long-term health impacts are unknown, and…Continue Reading

Rules Committee working to advance budget bill

The Chairman and Ranking Member of the U.S. House Ag Committee presented their case to the Rules Committee as the House continues its work to advance a budget bill. Chairman Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) says the Committee was tasked with cutting $230 billion from its budget. “And proud to report that we exceeded our…Continue Reading

Ag groups working to protect farmer access to crop protection tools

The American Soybean Association and other ag groups have filed a brief with the Supreme Court for glyphosate labeling clarity. In this episode of Managing for Profit, ASA’s senior director of government affairs Kyle Kunkler explains what this means for farmers. The post Ag groups working to protect farmer access to crop protection tools appeared first…Continue Reading

Farmers make tough crop marketing decisions

Farmers across the Corn Belt are navigating uncertain commodity markets. In northeast Missouri, Matt Wright says he delivered some forward-contracted old crop corn to the elevator and feed mill this week. “Like everyone else, I wish I would have sold more but you just never how the markets are going to go. We’re just trying…Continue Reading

Cattle futures mostly higher ahead of direct business

At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were mixed, mostly higher ahead of direct cash business and this week’s Cattle on Feed report.  June live cattle closed $.20 higher at $213.17 and August live cattle closed $.07 lower at $207.85.  August feeder cattle closed $.02 higher at $297.50 and September feeder cattle closed…Continue Reading

MO farmer trying to capture quality alfalfa

A farmer in central Missouri says the persistent rains have created a narrow window to complete the first alfalfa cutting. Jay Fischer tells Brownfield there have been two days, at best, between rains to get fieldwork done since early March. “Alfalfa likes to lay down when it gets big and it rains. It’s starting to…Continue Reading

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