Cutting back on fall fertilizer? Consider phosphate

An extension nutrient management specialist says farmers looking to cut back on fall fertilizer should consider phosphate. Daniel Kaiser with the University of Minnesota tells Brownfield data suggests minimal returns. “I’ve been in Minnesota for 17 years and I’ve very rarely if ever seen a response where I’ve gotten any added yield adding phosphate when…Continue Reading

Still a “wild west” for climate smart opportunities

A farm specialist with Missouri Soybean says farmers and ranchers are still learning to navigate opportunities from the Climate-Smart Commodities grants that were announced in 2022. “It’s, right now, still the wild west” Clayton Light, Director of Conservation Agriculture and Farm Operations, says there’s a lot of information being shared about climate-smart programs. “There are…Continue Reading

Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: August 1, 2024

Sep. corn closed at $3.98 and 1/2, down 3/4 centSep. soybeans closed at $10.09, down 5 and 1/2 centsSep. soybean meal closed at $328.00, up 70 centsSep. soybean oil closed at 42.47, down 79 pointsSep. wheat closed at $5.32, up 4 and 3/4 centsOct. live cattle closed at $183.72, down $2.95Sep. feeder cattle closed at…Continue Reading

RaboResearch calling for weaker near-term pork returns

A pork analyst is expecting weaker returns for producers in the second half. Christine McCracken with RaboResearch tells Brownfield domestic demand has been slow over the summer. “The consumer is just being a little bit more careful when they go out to restaurants trying to cut back and I think that that’s been a big…Continue Reading

Wheat sees slightly rally, soybeans, corn close lower

Soybeans were modestly lower on speculative and technical selling. Severe storms and stressful temperatures have likely had some impact on the crop, but development conditions have been better in some areas, so the trade sentiment, for now, is everything should balance out. The USDA’s next production update is out August 12th, along with the monthly…Continue Reading

Central South Dakota wheat has been “really good”

The general manager of Oahe Grain Corporation in central South Dakota says a good winter wheat harvest is wrapping up and promising spring wheat harvest has begun. Tim Luken tells Brownfield a lot of grain elevators in the area are full of winter wheat. “I just got off the phone with a few farmers today…Continue Reading

Profitability pacing technology adaptation

A pair of Illinois farmers say profitability concerns are the primary factor in adapting new technology. “First and foremost, it’s the bottom line, and the cost, and what that rate of return might be?” Illinois Farm Bureau vice president Evan Hultine, who farms in Bureau County, says it’s a balancing act. “But I think we…Continue Reading

The potato: from the farm to the grocery store

Potatoes are grown on more than 1 million acres of ground across the United States.  Annually, 41.3 billion pounds of potatoes are grown in the United States.  Alsum Farms, based in Wisconsin, grows multiple different varieties of potatoes – russets, reds, whites, fingerlings, creamers, organic potatoes, and goldens.  AUDIO: Healthy Living with Jeff Huber on…Continue Reading

Wisconsin State Fair underway

The Wisconsin State Fair began this morning. Sheri Black is the CEO of State Fair Park.  She tells Brownfield the show ring is busy and there are plenty of animal exhibits, even though the state requires additional precautions before showing lactating dairy cows. “We have a lot of activity, obviously, in the barns. Our numbers…Continue Reading

Playlist