Broiler placements up on week, down on year

The USDA’s weekly broiler hatchery numbers were mixed. 250.244 million broiler-type eggs were set into incubators, 268,000 less than the previous week, but 1% more than a year ago, with average hatchability holding at 79.4%. 193.428 million broiler-type chicks entered meat production, up 156,000 on the week, but down slightly on the year, the first…… Continue Reading

Ernst says farm bill is needed this year

U.S. Senator Joni Ernst says the timeline for Congress to move forward on a so-called “skinny” farm bill is up in the air. “That’s yet to be determined but I know Senator Boozman really wants to get this over the finish line. We do continue to meet and have committee meetings on the various topics…… Continue Reading

Urban 4-H membership continues to increase in Iowa

The executive director of the Iowa 4-H Foundation says there’s been an uptick in 4-H membership in the state’s urban areas. Emily Saveraid says 4-H is for everyone. “Whatever your interest is, you can find it in 4-H. As urban centers grow, we know the need for 4-H is important there.” Speaking to Brownfield at…… Continue Reading

Cautious optimism for Iowa’s corn, soybean crops

Iowa’s Ag Secretary says he’s cautiously optimistic about crop conditions across the state. Mike Naig tells Brownfield, “Generally, folks are saying the crop is phenomenal and looks great. But agronomists are telling me there’s some effect of having too much water.” He says disease pressure and pollination issues have been prevalent in corn. “I think…… Continue Reading

Ethanol stocks hit 2025 lows

Ethanol demand signs were largely positive over the past week. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says the domestic supply fell to an eight month low at 22.649 million barrels, a decrease of 1.107 million on the week and 705,000 on the year. Net inputs of ethanol purchased by refiners and blenders rose to a two…… Continue Reading

Fall-seeded soybeans showing promise

Multi-year research trials examining the feasibility of fall-planted soybeans are showing promise.                   Drew Beckman, a Beck’s Hybrids field agronomist, says the seed is coated with a special polymer that allows it to survive in the ground over the winter. “While it may sound kinda far-fetched and crazy, when we look at the beans that were…… Continue Reading

Total hay production increase likely

The USDA is projecting a larger hay crop in 2025. Production for all non-alfalfa types of hay is estimated at 73.752 million tons, 1.13 million above the 2024 total, with an increase in the harvested area guess, up 755,000 acres to 35.533 million, canceling out a slight dip in average yield from 2.09 tons per…… Continue Reading

NFarms facility will improve data management for producers, businesses

A New University of Nebraska-Lincoln facility is bringing together precision ag data and technology to help producers improve management decisions Joe Luck, associate director of the Eastern Nebraska Research Extension and Education Center (ENREEC), says the NFarms building will harness decades of information gathered from the institution’s extension facilities across the state. “I consider this…… Continue Reading

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