Recent rains welcome for cover crops

Recent rains across the Midwest are a welcome sight for farmers that have seeded cover crops. Northern Illinois farmer Norm Deets tells Brownfield the dry fall has challenged crop establishment. “One of the things that we’ll probably see if the weather does turn cold, we’ll have some good roots establishment, but we probably won’t see…… Continue Reading

GDT index jumps almost 5%

The Global Dairy Trade index rose 4.8% in Tuesday’s trading, with prices higher for everything but lactose. The butter market saw the biggest gain, up 8.3% to $6,990 per metric ton, or $3.17 per pound. Anhydrous milk fat rose 4.6% to $7,558 per metric ton, or $3.42 per pound. Whole milk powder prices were up…… Continue Reading

Grassley remains pessimistic about lame duck farm bill

There’s still hope the farm bill can be completed during the lame duck session of Congress. But U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley tells Brownfield he’s not optimistic. “I haven’t heard of any movement during the month of October, and that movement would be just among staff or the chairs of the two agriculture committees. I haven’t…… Continue Reading

Down cycles in ag lead to more farm transitions

An agricultural economist says downturns in the ag economy typically lead to an increase in farm transitions. Dr. David Kohl, professor emeritus at Virginia Tech, tells Brownfield… “Given the economic cycle this whole thing of transition management will accelerate because I’m hearing a number of the senior generation saying maybe it’s time to move on…… Continue Reading

Several winter wheat areas get much-needed rain

An ag meteorologist says some of the bigger hard red winter wheat growing areas are getting some much-needed rain this week. Drew Lerner with World Weather Incorporated says the most impressive rains over the weekend were in West Texas into southeastern Kansas. “Rain totals range from 2 to around 5.5 inches, in general. There were…… Continue Reading

How an increase in pigs per litter is affecting the market

A Purdue University ag economist says U.S. pork producers have steadily increased productivity since the mid-1990’s.  Michael Langemeier says the number of pigs per litter reached a record high in September. “Annually, there’s a 0.1 pig increase, that’s 3.1 pigs from 1994 to 2023,” he says. He tells Brownfield there has been a 74% increase…… Continue Reading

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