A healthy cattle market benefitted the recent Western Illinois University School of Agriculture’s 53rd Annual Bull Test Sale. The bulls averaged $6235, bred cows averaged $3300 and replacement heifers $2133. The top-selling bull brought $9000. WIU Ag Director Andy Baker said in a release it was one of the best sales on record. The sale,…… Continue Reading
Rollins says USDA continues review of program spending
Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins says the department continues to review all programs under the USDA’s budget. She tells Brownfield the department is intentional in its review. “True conservation programs that our farmers and ranchers have been utilizing for years and have built programs around those will continue,” she says. Rollins says some of the line…… Continue Reading
Cash cheese, butter prices keep falling
Cash dairy prices were mixed Tuesday as cheese values continued to fall on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Dry whey was up $0.01 at $0.46. One sale was recorded at that price. Forty-pound cheese block prices were down $0.07 at $1.5750. Two sales were recorded at $1.5750 and $1.5850. Cheese barrels were down $0.0550 at $1.57. …… Continue Reading
Global Dairy Trade Index holds steady
There was no change in the Global Dairy Trade Index in Tuesday’s trading session. Price gains for butter, cheese, and whole milk powder offset losses for skim milk powder and anhydrous milk fat. The biggest gain was in the Mozzarella cheese market, where prices rose 5.1%. There were 111 winning bidders in 18 rounds of…… Continue Reading
Tissue sampling bringing added efficiency
A southern Illinois farmer says in-season tissue sampling has changed his operation. “Every Monday morning, I’m walking fields, gathering those leaves and taking them to town.” Granvil Travis, who raises corn and soybeans in Massac County, says it’s a way to keep a close eye on his crops and his budget. “As I can see…… Continue Reading
NPPC board director concerned about Prop 12, tariffs, and disease threats
A newly elected board member of the National Pork Producers Council says Congress needs to provide a solution for Proposition 12. John Anderson, a pork producer from Belgrade in central Minnesota, points out the House farm bill includes language that addresses California’s livestock confinement law. “Of course we want to get that new farm bill…… Continue Reading
First $10 billion in ECAP funding starts Wednesday
The USDA is releasing the first $10 billion in Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) funds starting Wednesday. In a call with reporters Tuesday, USDA deputy undersecretary Brooke Appleton says this is part of the $30 billion in ad-hoc and disaster relief assistance authorized through the American Relief Act. “This is kind of the first step of…… Continue Reading
Battle to control corn rootworm
Corn rootworm is one of the most devastating crop pests. Syngenta U.S. insecticide technical product lead Kevin Langdon says growers have relied heavily on traits to control rootworm larvae and resistance has developed. “There are new trait technologies, which is great. But at the end of the day for best performance, we really need to…… Continue Reading
USDA to allow increased pork and poultry processor line speeds
The USDA is allowing pork and poultry processors to operate at increased line speeds. U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley tells Brownfield the announcement comes after trial studies determined worker safety was not being compromised for the sake of higher production. “So I think for the benefit of American agriculture and the quality and the price of…… Continue Reading
Growth Energy discusses state of ethanol exports
The director of global policy for Growth Energy says she has high expectations for U.S. ethanol exports this year. Emily Marthaler tells Brownfield exports ended 2024 on a high note. “We saw a record export year for U.S. ethanol at almost 2 billion gallons. That was a historical marker for the U.S. industry.” She says…… Continue Reading
