An ag economist says he’s concerned about the financial position of crop farmers over the next two years if low commodity prices continue. Purdue University’s Michael Langemeier recently analyzed profit margins for farmers over the past five years. “Looking at the farms with high debt-to-asset ratio and low-profit margin, if you look at 2023, approximately…… Continue Reading
Broiler sets, placements remain on faster than 2023 pace
Another week, another year-to-year increase in broiler sets and placements. This months-long trend in sets and placements implies higher broiler chicken production in 2024 than 2023. The USDA says 238.202 million broiler-type eggs were set into incubation, a drop of 6.039 million on the week, but up 5% on the year, with average hatchability fractionally…… Continue Reading
Farm bill delays leave growers in limbo, Iowa farmer says
A southwest Iowa farmer says farm policy is one of his biggest concerns this fall. Duane Aistrope says farmers need a new five-year farm bill. “We just need to get a darn farm bill passed. It sounds like maybe in the lame duck session we’ll get something done, but I’m not crossing my fingers.” He…… Continue Reading
Southwest Iowa farmer says harvest flew by
Harvest wrapped up this week for southwest Iowa farmer Dave McGargill. “We’re going to be at least 10 days ahead of what we usually are.” He tells Brownfield it’s an odd feeling being done before mid-October. “Usually we run into that first week of November and that’s pretty typical for us. We are going to…… Continue Reading
2025 growing season decisions
Some Iowa farmers say they’ve already started making decisions for the 2025 growing season. Clarinda farmer Lee Brooke tells Brownfield, “It seems to be anymore it’s already started before we even get harvest going,” he said. “We booked our anhydrous and we’re coming up on some dates for seed.” Duane Aistrope of Randolph says most…… Continue Reading
Formulate a SCN action plan
A BASF representative says now is the time for farmers to formulate a soybean cyst nematode action plan. Nick Tinsley says a fall soil test is key. “Knowing the risk that you’re facing is the first step toward having a comprehensive management plan that includes a number of different tactics that can really start to…… Continue Reading
Megan Moroney’s Having Cell Phone Struggles: ‘I’m That Person’
Megan Moroney has a bad habit, and she’s probably not alone. Continue reading…… Continue Reading
FFA State Officers share their experiences in the SpeakAg Pioneers Program
A group of state FFA officers were selected to spend the next year fine tuning their leadership and communication skills. Missouri FFA State First Vice President Mikaela Rojas is one of this year’s twelve participants in the SpeakAg Pioneer Program. “It’s a way for state officers to connect with each other, learn how to advocate for ourselves,…… Continue Reading
Riley Keough Learned Mom Lisa Marie Presley Was Dead Over Text
In Presley’s posthumous memoir, her daughter Riley describes the experience of finding out her mother had died. Continue reading…… Continue Reading
Pork producers left in limbo on visa issues
The executive director of the Illinois Pork Producers Association (IPPA) says group’s from across the country are pushing for action to speed up approvals for TN work visas. Jennifer Tirey tells Brownfield… “What started out as a really good opportunity for us to bring in labor when we were not able to find local labor…… Continue Reading
