The new president of the National Corn Growers Association says farmers are feeling the pinch of rising input costs. “We’re trying to stay positive.” Jed Bower says fertilizer is the largest expense on his farm. “Looking ahead at the 2026 crop: we’ve seen substantial increases from last year on phosphorus. We’re looking at potentially $200…… Continue Reading
Harvest speeds up in Ohio due to warm weather
A north central Ohio farmer says this year’s harvest has moved quickly due to recent warm and dry weather. Owen Niese says soybean yields have been variable. “I’ve noticed that planting date hasn’t mattered as much as the location and weather pattern,” he says. “The leaves and the stems of the beans, we haven’t had enough…… Continue Reading
NCGA survey: Corn farmers see grim outlook for ag economy
A new survey from the National Corn Growers Association shows farmers remain concerned a long-term decline in the ag economy could negatively impact the industry. Krista Swanson, NCGA’s chief economist, says nearly half of survey respondents expect the farm sector to quickly enter an economic crisis. “Farmers told us they are more concerned about their…… Continue Reading
Debt-to-asset ratios worsen for farmers as interest costs climb
The vice president of data analysis with Illinois Farm Business Farm Management (FBFM) says debt is expanding in the U.S. farm sector. Brad Zwilling tells Brownfield, “Debt was expected to increase by 5% from 2024, while the farm assets were supposed to increase only by 4.7%, so we know our debt is crawling a little…… Continue Reading
2 avian flu cases in less than 1 week in southwest Wisconsin county
Highly pathogenic avian influenza has been detected in a commercial poultry flock in southwest Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection says the facility in Jefferson County has been quarantined and birds on the property will be depopulated. Last week a separate commercial poultry flock in Jefferson County tested positive for the…… Continue Reading
DOL H-2A farmworker wage rule projected to save employers $2.4 Billion
The U.S. Department of Labor has released an interim final rule that would transform how wages are determined for farmers using the H-2A guest worker program. The department estimates the adjustments could save employers $2.4 billion in labor costs. Michigan Congressman John Molenaar tells Brownfield the Adverse Effect Wage Rate, AEWR, in his state is currently…… Continue Reading
Federal shutdown abruptly halts USDA trade mission to Taiwan
The shutdown of the federal government has cut short a USDA trade mission to Taiwan. Minnesota Soybean Growers Association executive director Joe Smentek is on the trip and tells Brownfield details trickled in Wednesday evening. “We had a lot of people that we were talking with last night that were getting their emails that they…… Continue Reading
Purdue Agronomist: Low soybean moisture hurting yields and farm profits
An extension soybean agronomist with Purdue University says most Midwest farmers are facing difficult harvest conditions. Shaun Casteel says the hot and dry weather is impacting soybean moistures. “We got beautiful weather to harvest, but we don’t have good conditions for the moisture content.” He says, “We’re cutting a lot of beans that…… Continue Reading
Dryness, disease pressure impacting early harvest yield reports
Some farmers are reporting variable yields in parts of the Midwest due to drought and disease pressure. Central Illinois farmer Rob Shaffer tells Brownfield soybean harvest is underway and yields have been slightly disappointing. “Part of that is because we didn’t get a rain after August 5. We haven’t had much and there is no…… Continue Reading
Ad-hoc aid expected for U.S. farmers, details unclear
Bart Fisher with the Ag and Food Policy Center at Texas A&M University says more ad-hoc assistance is expected from the Trump administration to help farmers navigate the tough ag economy, but the details are vague. More about ad-hoc assistance in this Managing for Profit. The post Ad-hoc aid expected for U.S. farmers, details unclear…… Continue Reading
