The senior vice president of strategy and logistics with GROWMARK says the cooperative’s planned state-of-the-art biological crop input manufacturing facility is aimed at meeting the demands of one of the fastest-growing sectors in the industry. Rod Wells says agricultural biologicals are the next step in crop production and nutrition. “Our facility will allow those companies that…… Continue Reading
Renewable power helping farms and rural communities, Gaesser says
A leader with Solutions from the Land says there’s been a push for more renewable energy sources on farms. Ray Gaesser, who farms in the southwest corner of Iowa, says it’s been prevalent in his state. “In Iowa, 63% of our electricity is renewable. It’s wind and solar (energy), but mostly wind.” He tells Brownfield…… Continue Reading
Farmers weigh crop options for 2026
Farmers are evaluating their crop options ahead of the next growing season. Brent Gatton from western Kentucky says his farm will stick to its normal corn-soybean rotation next year, but double crop wheat acres are expected to decline, locally. Locally, the price of wheat and what it costs to put the crop out, a lot…… Continue Reading
RMI survey: Farmland prices highest in 20 months
The latest Rural Mainstreet Index says farm and ranchland prices have reached their highest level since April 2024. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says, “Our farmland price index moved above growth neutral and that was a welcomed addition to our survey.” The RMI is a monthly survey of ag bankers in 10 states including Illinois,…… Continue Reading
Beck’s research shows yield advantage with planting early in corn and soybeans
A regional agronomy manager at Beck’s Hybrids says longstanding research data shows that planting date has an impact on yield. Steve Gauck tells Brownfield, “PFR data for 25 years on corn and over 25 years on soybeans shows there’s an advantage there. There’s actually less of a penalty in planting soybeans early than there is…… Continue Reading
Why Affordable Holiday Meals Don’t Tell the Whole Story About Farming and Sustainability
Commentary. Every holiday season we tell consumers they should be thankful for an abundant and affordable food supply. It has almost become a seasonal slogan; a gentle reminder that in the United States food remains relatively accessible and less expensive than in many parts of the world. Yet what often goes unacknowledged is how strongly…… Continue Reading
Wisconsin farmer: profitability hinges on input costs
Heading into the New Year, a west-central Wisconsin farmer has one question on his mind. “How do we remain profitable?” Tony Mellenthin says it’s a tough thing to do in the current environment. “Input prices have not relieved the pressure at all, even though our commodity prices have gone down.” Mellenthin says he makes the…… Continue Reading
One ‘Landman’ Season 2 Death That Everyone Sees Coming
After Ep. 7, 44 percent of ‘Landman’ fans agree that one character’s time is short. Continue reading…… Continue Reading
Analyst: modest tweaks expected in USDA’s next supply/demand report
A market analyst says she’s expecting the USDA to make little tweaks to the U.S. supply and demand picture in the January report. Naomi Blohm with Total Farm Marketing says that starts with the final U.S. corn yield. “A lot of people still feel the final yield number needs to be less than the current…… Continue Reading
Cash dairy prices mostly up Tuesday
Cash dairy prices were mostly up on Tuesday at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Dry whey was unchanged at 0.73. No sales were recorded at that price. Forty-pound cheese blocks were up 0.400 at 1.3850. Nine sales were recorded, ranging from 1.3450 to 1.3800. Cheese barrels remained unchanged at one dollar and forty cents. No sales were recorded. Butter prices were up 0.0025 at 1.4050. Four sales were recorded at 1.4000. Nonfat dry milk was up 0.0050 at 1.1750. No sales were recorded. The post Cash dairy…… Continue Reading
