Debt-to-asset ratios worsen for farmers as interest costs climb

The vice president of data analysis with Illinois Farm Business Farm Management (FBFM) says debt is expanding in the U.S. farm sector. Brad Zwilling tells Brownfield, “Debt was expected to increase by 5% from 2024, while the farm assets were supposed to increase only by 4.7%, so we know our debt is crawling a little…… Continue Reading

2 avian flu cases in less than 1 week in southwest Wisconsin county

Highly pathogenic avian influenza has been detected in a commercial poultry flock in southwest Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection says the facility in Jefferson County has been quarantined and birds on the property will be depopulated. Last week a separate commercial poultry flock in Jefferson County tested positive for the…… Continue Reading

DOL H-2A farmworker wage rule projected to save employers $2.4 Billion

The U.S. Department of Labor has released an interim final rule that would transform how wages are determined for farmers using the H-2A guest worker program. The department estimates the adjustments could save employers $2.4 billion in labor costs. Michigan Congressman John Molenaar tells Brownfield the Adverse Effect Wage Rate, AEWR, in his state is currently…… Continue Reading

Federal shutdown abruptly halts USDA trade mission to Taiwan

The shutdown of the federal government has cut short a USDA trade mission to Taiwan. Minnesota Soybean Growers Association executive director Joe Smentek is on the trip and tells Brownfield details trickled in Wednesday evening. “We had a lot of people that we were talking with last night that were getting their emails that they…… Continue Reading

Purdue Agronomist: Low soybean moisture hurting yields and farm profits

An extension soybean agronomist with Purdue University says most Midwest farmers are facing difficult harvest conditions.   Shaun Casteel says the hot and dry weather is impacting soybean moistures.   “We got beautiful weather to harvest, but we don’t have good conditions for the moisture content.”  He says, “We’re cutting a lot of beans that…… Continue Reading

Dryness, disease pressure impacting early harvest yield reports

Some farmers are reporting variable yields in parts of the Midwest due to drought and disease pressure. Central Illinois farmer Rob Shaffer tells Brownfield soybean harvest is underway and yields have been slightly disappointing. “Part of that is because we didn’t get a rain after August 5. We haven’t had much and there is no…… Continue Reading

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