Research is showing the benefits of applying solid manure over liquid manure to fields. Josh Mirabella with the University of Wisconsin-Madison is researching soil health and fertility comparing unprocessed liquid manure, manure that has had the liquid removed, and no manure applications at all. “Both in terms of their overall impact on nitrogen dynamics in…… Continue Reading
May expected to start warm and dry
Much of the Midwest should experience warm and dry weather the first week of May. Iowa state climatologist Justin Glisan says there’s a strong warm signal expanding from the central and western Corn Belt. “That strong warm signal does persist and it does expand across much of the Midwest and Upper Midwest. And then you…… Continue Reading
Commodity groups unhappy with ITC duties on 2,4-D
A commodity group says a ruling by the International Trade Commission will likely raise prices and reduce availability for a popular ag chemical. Virginia Houston with the American Soybean Association tells Brownfield, “It’s just one more factor working against farmers as far as the cost of production.” Houston says the Tuesday decision to impose additional…… Continue Reading
Cattle futures lower waiting on direct business
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were lower, with boxed beef lower at midday, ahead of the week’s direct business. June live cattle closed $1.80 lower at $208.40 and August lives closed $1.62 lower at $204.05. May feeder cattle closed $1.45 lower at $292.57 and August feeders closed $1.87 lower at $295.02. …… Continue Reading
Donation allows USAID mechanization research to continue at MU
An associate research professor at the University of Missouri says she’ll be able to continue her mechanization research after an anonymous donation was made to the Soybean Innovation Lab in Illinois. Kerry Clark tells Brownfield “I train people how to build crop threshers. We have a new piece of equipment and when USAID funding was cut,…… Continue Reading
MO farmer holding breath as tariffs continue
A farmer from west-central Missouri says he’s concerned what the Trump administration’s tariffs mean for China, a top buyer of U.S. soybeans. Ronnie Russell raises corn and soybeans in Ray County. “I look forward to farming every year. There’s some years you’re more giddy about it and other years where you hold your breath. That’s…… Continue Reading
Slotkin pushes for specialty crop fair trade
A U.S. Senate Ag Committee member is calling on President Trump’s USDA Under Secretary for Trade nominee to go to bat for specialty crop growers. Michigan’s Elissa Slotkin says unfair trade practices need to be addressed even in smaller markets. “I want you to go into battle with the country of Turkey on tart cherries,” she…… Continue Reading
Favorable weather for alfalfa weevil
Mild weather the past few months could result in high alfalfa weevil pressure this spring. FMC technical services manager Eric Rebek says the forage pest begins to emerge in April and May, feeding on crops and laying eggs. “It’s kind of a perfect storm with the adults emerging (and) laying eggs, and then maybe even…… Continue Reading
Russell Dickerson and the Savannah Bananas Team Up to Dance
Russell Dickerson and the Savannah Bananas have teamed up for an epic TikTok collab that’s got people hyped for baseball season and summer concert festival season all at once. Continue reading…… Continue Reading
Illinois farmer disappointed in state’s conservation cuts
A north central Illinois farmer says he’s disappointed in the state’s planned cuts to conservation funding. Brian Corkill, who farms in Henry & Stark Counties, says the “Fall Covers for Spring Savings” program, which offers farmers a discount on their crop insurance when they plant fall cover crops, has helped spread the practice of covering…… Continue Reading
