It’s unclear what impact the USDA’s National Farm Security Action Plan might have on hog producers who contract with Smithfield Foods. Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins tells Brownfield the Trump administration will consider all options assessing foreign owned ag land, including land owned by ag companies like Smithfield Foods, a subsidiary of WH Group Limited. “The…… Continue Reading
NEFB says Congress needs to take up ag labor crisis
The president of the Nebraska Farm Bureau says he’d like to see Congress create a solution for the nation’s ag labor crisis. Mark McHargue says that could eliminate any confusion surrounding the administration’s policy on amnesty for farmworkers. “I think we have to know where our workers are coming from. We have to know their…… Continue Reading
Trump names Chief Ag Negotiator nominee
President Trump has named Julie Callahan as the nominee for the chief ag negotiator in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Callahan is currently the assistant USTR for ag affairs and commodity policy and ag groups are responding positively to the news. U.S. Meat Export Federation CEO Dan Halstrom says at a critical time…… Continue Reading
Farm Bureau Pavilion unveiled during Michigan Livestock Expo
The first steps to renovate Michigan State University’s Livestock Pavilion were unveiled this week during the Michigan Livestock Expo. Michigan Farm Bureau President Ben LaCross tells Brownfield the facility has been renamed the Farm Bureau Pavilion as part of a gift agreement with the university. “A lot of our farmers use the pavilions for expos…… Continue Reading
FDA to eliminate 18 “obsolete” dairy standards of identity
The Food and Drug Administration wants to eliminate what they call 58 obsolete and unnecessary food standards of identity, including 18 dairy products. Clay Detlefsen with the National Milk Producers Federation tells Brownfield the FDA wants to get rid of three categories within the standards of identity rules: Products no longer on the market, foods…… Continue Reading
Farmers concerned about MAHA impacts
A southwest Indiana farmer says he’s concerned the next Make America Healthy Again report will impact U.S. agriculture. Phil Ramsey says he’s concerned misinformation could impact crop protection availability. “We need the chemicals to be able to control the weeds,” he says. “All of them have been through the EPA, they’ve been through the testing.…… Continue Reading
Shellady: Farmers continue to face challenging soybean prices
A commodity market specialist says farmers continue to deal with sagging corn and soybean prices. Scott Shellady, also known as The Cow Guy, says November new crop soybeans are just off the $10 line. “We need to see the prices up around $11 really,” he said. “We’ve had weather that has not been threatening. Yes,…… Continue Reading
Trade deal certainty needed
The board chair of the Soy Transportation Coalition says farmers need trade certainty. Mike Koehne says the recently announced trade agreements need to be finalized sooner rather than later. “We export 63% of our soybeans, so we’ve got to get rid of these beans somewhere along the line,” he says. “Every trade deal is important and…… Continue Reading
Cash dairy prices steady to higher Thursday
Cash dairy prices were steady to higher Thursday on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Dry whey remained unchanged at $0.5725. No sales were recorded. Forty-pound cheese blocks were up $0.0150 at $1.64. Eleven sales were recorded, ranging from $1.63 to $1.64. Cheese barrels remained unchanged at $1.65. No sales were recorded. Butter prices were unchanged at…… Continue Reading
Why Jelly Roll Has a Framed Cody Johnson Picture in His House
A moment can change everything. Continue reading…… Continue Reading
