The USDA has trimmed its expectations for red meat and poultry production this year. Beef is now projected at 26.423 billion pounds, a drop of 277 million because of import restrictions from Mexico due to New World screwworm and lower dressed weights, with an average steer price of $214.51 per hundredweight, a jump of $9,…… Continue Reading
Ag coalition calls for a protected full farm bill in reconciliation
The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition is urging Congress to prevent putting a new farm bill in jeopardy by at least maintaining USDA spending in the reconciliation process. Policy Director Mike Lavendar tells Brownfield it’s hard to quantify the ramifications of lost essential services if the House Ag Committee goes through with proposed cuts this week.…… Continue Reading
Gene-edited pigs approved for U.S. market
The chief operating officer at Genus PIC says pigs produced to be resistant to Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) have been approved for sale to U.S. consumers by the Food and Drug Administration. Matt Culbertson tells Brownfield it’s the latest step in bringing gene-edited pigs to market. “It doesn’t actually trigger the first sales…… Continue Reading
BioLumic secures funding for light activated seed traits
An ag tech company says its new light activated non-GMO seed traits have received a funding boost. Alex Fotsch with BioLumic tells Brownfield xTraits are the world’s first seed traits activated purely by precise light signals. “A one-time light signal before the seeds ever reach the field. They are non-GMO and naturally program the plant’s…… Continue Reading
Cotton, rice stocks expected to be up in 2025/26
The USDA is projecting larger cotton and rice stocks in the coming marketing year. New crop rice ending stocks are seen at 47.5 million hundredweight, with increased imports and decreased exports canceling out a decline in production, while old crop stocks were up slightly from April to 45 million hundredweight on demand adjustments. The average…… Continue Reading
Good crop emergence ahead of the cold
A farmer in northeast South Dakota says it’s been one of the earliest planting seasons ever. “We had good planting conditions, we weren’t mudding things in and people moved right along.” Bob Metz says the farm wrapped up planting on Monday, and corn and soybeans are emerging well, so far. “Corn is about an inch…… Continue Reading
Iowa farmer to conduct cover crop research on his farm
A northwest Iowa farmer says he plans to conduct some research trials on his operation during the growing season. Brent Swart, who currently serves as president of the Iowa Soybean Association, says cover crops will be a big focus. “How we can continue to be better at implementing cover crops and not only being effective…… Continue Reading
WASDE report “friendly” to commodity prices
A marketing specialist says the latest supply and demand report has pushed some commodity prices higher to start the week. Jacob Burks with AgMarket.Net tells Brownfield, “Market reaction to the immediate response of what we saw on the balance sheet with old crop and new crop was a little bit was friendly. That’s that’s the…… Continue Reading
Michigan 4-H endowment will provide lasting investment for dairy youth
The Michigan 4-H Foundation has established a new endowment to support dairy youth leaders across the state. Michigan Milk Producers Association’s Joe Diglio tells Brownfield, “Developing better talents and stronger talents within the next generation of leaders is critically important.” Diglio was recently named the 2025 Robert B. Engel Farmer Co-op Manager of the Year by the…… Continue Reading
U.S. hay stocks rise
The USDA says U.S. hay stocks are above a year ago. The national May 1st total of 24.091 million tons was 3.081 million tons larger than last year, with 2024 production rising 3% from 2023, largely thanks to yield. The supply numbers are dependent on a few factors, including production, livestock inventory, pasture conditions, feed…… Continue Reading
