An extension field crop pathologist at Purdue University says she’s concerned with how fast southern rust is spreading across the Midwest. Darcy Telenko says the disease has now been found in more than twenty counties in Indiana. “It has those ruptured pustules that appear on the top of the leaf’s surface,” she says. “Generally, they’re tighter in…… Continue Reading
Illinois Master Showmanship winners announced
The “Grand Champion Overall Master Showman” of the 2025 Illinois State Fair has been announced. Hunter Shrike, of Champaign County, son of Dan and Jennifer Shrike, won the title, out-showing sixty-four other young livestock exhibitors in the 25th annual Master Showmanship Contest. Cole Kinsella, of Stark County, son of Jim & Joni Kinsella, was named…… Continue Reading
Cheese higher, butter lower with mixed cash dairy prices Monday
Cash dairy prices were mixed with a few more sales Monday at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Dry whey was up $0.0050 at $0.5850. One sale was recorded at that price. Forty-pound cheese blocks were up $0.01 at $1.86. Five sales were recorded, ranging from $1.8525 to $1.86. Cheese barrels were up $0.0025 at $1.80. No…… Continue Reading
Corn, sorghum export inspections up on week
The USDA says that corn and soybean export inspections for the week ending August 7th topped what’s needed to meet projections for the current marketing year. The 2024/25 marketing year began September 1st for beans, corn, and sorghum, while 2025/26 got underway June 1st for wheat. The USDA’s next supply and demand update is out…… Continue Reading
Farmland market stable but “jolts” are possible
An ag real estate specialist suggests stability in the farmland market could be shaken by several factors. Diane Zelhart with Compeer Financial tells Brownfield values have been stable in 2025 despite low commodity prices and high interest rates. “I think right now land values are positioned to strike at any time, but things are relatively…… Continue Reading
Wisconsin State Fair ends early
Heavy weekend rain forced Wisconsin State Fair officials to shut down early. Rainfall exceeded ten inches in several areas of southeastern Wisconsin Saturday, causing flooding in the greater Milwaukee area including State Fair Park, making it challenging for people and animals. Fair officials closed the fair early Saturday and decided not to reopen for the…… Continue Reading
Cover crop research project continues in Wisconsin
Researchers are studying several cover crop varieties and how farmers are using them. Dan Marzu with the University of Wisconsin Extension tells Brownfield the study is in collaboration with the Michael Fields Institute, The Nature Conservancy, and the USDA Dairy Forage Research Center. “We send out an extensive survey to these participating farmers. They fill…… Continue Reading
Sticker shock at the parts counter
Some farmers preparing for the 2025 harvest say they’re seeing prices rise at the parts counter. “We were able to get what we needed, and haven’t had to wait on too much, but prices on them are still increasing, for sure.” Marty Marr, who farms in central Illinois, says it’s important to have his equipment…… Continue Reading
Lawmakers express urgency to pass skinny farm bill this year
Some lawmakers say they’re cautiously optimistic that a scaled-back version of a farm bill could still move forward this year. Speaking to reporters in Nebraska Saturday, Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins said there are some priorities left unfinished. “My commitment and speaking on behalf of our administration, while we got a lot of priorities of the…… Continue Reading
Rollins hints at major New World Screwworm announcement
The USDA is expected to make a major announcement related to New World Screwworm. During a visit to the Iowa State Fair Saturday, Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins said the agency continues to take steps to keep NWS out of the U.S. “This coming Friday I will be back in Texas to make another, probably the…… Continue Reading
