June egg production down on year

U.S. chicken egg production declined during June. The USDA says 8.809 billion eggs were produced last month, 2% less than June 2023, with a 3% decrease in the number of layers canceling out a 1% increase in efficiency. That included lower moves for both table and hatching eggs. The number of broiler-type chicks hatched did…Continue Reading

Western Iowa farmer having ‘favorable’ growing season

A west-central Iowa farmer says conditions have been favorable for the development of his crops. Jeff Frank raises corn and soybeans in Sac County. “Things look really good here. We’ve had enough rain to keep us going and not too much, maybe a little much early but things look really good here.” He tells Brownfield…Continue Reading

Corn rootworm emergence picking up steam

An extension agronomist says corn rootworm has been prevalent across parts of the Corn Belt. Meaghan Anderson with Iowa State University says rootworm beetles have been rapidly emerging. “Unless you go out and get in your fields, some people may be surprised by yield loss at the end of the season and unaware of where…Continue Reading

Illinois Soybean Association calls for WRDA action

The director of government relations with the Illinois Soybean Association says there needs to be Congressional action on the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). Andrew Larson says securing further lock and dam funding is vital for agriculture. “60% of our soybeans in Illinois are exported every year.”  He says, “The vast majority of those leave…Continue Reading

Crop development behind in northwest Minnesota

A northwest Minnesota farmer says the growing season has slowed after a fast start. Austen Germolus of Ada tells Brownfield small grain planting began in mid-April. “Which (is) the earliest start for us in a number of years, so the wheat crop got off to a pretty good start. Beans and corn followed, but we…Continue Reading

Nebraska State Fair taking extra precautions with dairy cattle

Nebraska is the latest state to require lactating dairy cattle to have a negative H5N1 test to participate in the state fair.   According to state fair officials, animals must test negative for the virus within seven days of arrival. Enhanced signage will also be posted throughout the fairgrounds, reminding fairgoers to wash their hands. Officials say the…Continue Reading

Ag groups ask Congress to pass a new farm bill this year

More than 500 state and national ag groups sent a letter to chamber and agriculture committee leaders in the U.S. House and Senate, asking them to enact a new farm bill in the current Congress. American Farm Bureau Federation Vice President and South Dakota Farm Bureau President Scott VanderWal tells Brownfield lawmakers need to come…Continue Reading

Chopper head key to one no-tiller’s success

A lifetime no-till farmer says equipment adjustments have helped improve his soil health and profitability. Jeff Stuck tells Brownfield his father first started no-till farming after a severe drought in the mid-1970s and he’s kept up the practice for more than 30 years on his farm. “We run a chopping corn head, we want that…Continue Reading

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