Nebraska Farm Bureau says it’s go time for Farm Bill

A Nebraska Farm Bureau public policy expert says the time is now for Congress to pass a farm bill. Jordan Dux tells Brownfield…. “I think there’s a lot of members of Congress that want to see a Farm Bill done, they want to see one across the finish line. There are some that maybe aren’t…Continue Reading

U of I moving forward on agrivoltaics farm

Development of a new farm studying the use of land for both solar energy and ag production at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is progressing. Madhu Khanna, director of the Sustainably Co-locating Agricultural and Photovoltaic Electricity Systems (SCAPES) project, says the new facility is being designed with agrivoltaics research in mind. “Our goal is…Continue Reading

Broiler sets, placements continue to rise

Sets and placements of broiler-type eggs and chicks continue to climb above year ago levels as producers try to meet demand expectations. The USDA says 248.518 million broiler-type eggs were placed into incubation last week, an increase of 2.748 million on the week and 3% on the year, with average hatchability improving slightly. Placements of…Continue Reading

Boozman: differences remain on new farm bill

The Senate Ag Committee has yet to markup a new farm bill heading into the August recess. Ranking Member John Boozman tells Brownfield there are still differing opinions on the bill and there’s not much time left if a mark up is going to happen before the November election. “When you look at how many…Continue Reading

A mixed crop expected in the Red River Valley

Farmers along the Red River Valley in the Northern Corn Belt say they’re expecting a variable crop this year due to cool, wet conditions early in the growing season. In west-central Minnesota, Andy Maier, who farms in Clay County, says the recent warm up in temperatures won’t be enough to make a bumper crop and…Continue Reading

Missouri hay markets slow

The market news manager for the Missouri Department of Agriculture says the hay market has done a 180 from recent years. Tony Hancock says, “A lot of hay listings, there’s a lot of hay for sale.” But, Tony Hancock tells Brownfield there isn’t a lot of incentive for producers to buy hay right now. “Pastures…Continue Reading

Survey shows continued decline in rural economy

The latest Rural Mainstreet Index has declined for an eleventh consecutive month. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says weak agriculture commodity prices and declining exports contributed to weakness in the economy. “China for example, their economy’s just moving sideways to down and of course that means they’re buying less of our soybean imports,” he says.…Continue Reading

Michigan potato leaders redefine research agenda

Michigan’s potato industry is evaluating what future research efforts are necessary to support a thriving sector. Dr. Kelly Turner with the Michigan Potato Industry Commission tells Brownfield stakeholders recently meet for the Rooted In Progress Summit to realign priorities. “What do we need to be in five years? What do we need to be in…Continue Reading

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