The youth wellness manager for the American Dairy Association Indiana says a recently revamped school nutrition program is emphasizing the importance of dairy to a balanced diet. Sheri Shipp says milk is the cornerstone of all school meal programs. “A lot of students eat two out of three meals a day at school,” she says.…… Continue Reading
H-2A wage rule sets floor, not ceiling, as farmers prioritize retaining skilled labor
An ag labor specialist says many farmers who use the H-2A guest worker program are planning to offer wages above the new minimums set by the Department of Labor. Sarah Black with Great Lakes Ag Labor Services tells Brownfield it’s a common commitment she’s seeing from clients. “They have workers that have come back 10, 12 years every single year, and those are valuable members of…… Continue Reading
Corn and soybean payments lag as FBA program draws criticism from Illinois ag director
The director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture says the USDA’s recently announced Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) program heavily favors southern crops over Midwestern producers. Jerry Costello tells Brownfield, “You’ve got payments that are three times as much going to crops like rice than what either soy or corn is being paid out.” He says,…… Continue Reading
Sorghum export inspections surge following new demand from China
The USDA reports a mixed start to the calendar year for U.S. export inspections. Corn inspections during the week ending January 1st fell below the previous week but was more than double this time last year as the strong sales from earlier in the marketing year leave U.S. ports. While soybean inspections were solid, they’re…… Continue Reading
Cash dairy prices mixed again Monday
Cash dairy prices were mixed Monday at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Dry whey was unchanged at 0.7250. No sales were recorded. Forty-pound cheese blocks were down 0.04 to 1.35. Eight sales were recorded, ranging from 1.35 to 1.37. Cheese barrels remained unchanged at 1.4000. No sales were recorded. Butter prices were down 0.03 to 1.3450. Seventeen sales were recorded ranging from 1.3450 to 1.3750. Nonfat dry milk was up $0.0050 at 1.18. One…… Continue Reading
Ag lender says USDA bridge payments offer short-term help, not long-term fix
An ag lender says USDA’s relief payments could provide some short-term relief for producers but won’t improve the larger profitability issues. Logan Bredemeier, assistant vice president at F and M Bank in Falls City, Nebraska, says the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program could provide some stability. “For some of our producers, it’s going to be a…… Continue Reading
Fulton man charged in Columbia shooting, murder
A 23-year-old Fulton man faces charges of murder in the first degree, two counts of assault in the first degree, armed criminal action, a felon in possession of a weapon […]… Continue Reading
Michigan Sheep Producers Association highlights solar grazing at Shepherd’s Weekend
The Michigan Sheep Producers Association is exploring what opportunities exist for solar grazing in the state. Executive director Elaine Palm tells Brownfield their upcoming Shepard’s Weekend will dig into ongoing Michigan State University Extension research. “And really dive into the questions and answers that people have about it,” she shares. “It is a growing industry,…… Continue Reading
Jackson County native named 2026 Miss Indiana State Fair Queen
A new Miss Indiana State Fair Queen has been crowned. Presley Hampton, Miss Jackson County Fair, was chosen to represent the state among 82 county fair queens during the 67th annual Miss Indiana State Fair Queen Pageant. Hampton attends Purdue University and is majoring in Marketing as a Trustee Scholar. Kylie Cox of Tippecanoe County was named…… Continue Reading
U.S. poultry production ends 2025 strong, outlook mixed
An extension economist with Texas A&M University says U.S. poultry production ended 2025 on a strong note. David Anderson tells Brownfield that two key categories were up in December compared to 2024. “Broilers for December were actually up about 4% as well, and turkey production was up 8.4% in December.” He says, “So, we…… Continue Reading
