An eastern Iowa crop and livestock producer anticipates a slow rebuilding of the U.S. cattle herd. Billie Danner, who grows corn, soybeans, and has a contract cattle feeding operation near West Liberty, says cattle inventories are at their lowest level in decades. “Since what, somewhere in the 1950’s. And with feeder cattle (and) fat cattle…… Continue Reading
Important ag provisions included in Wisconsin budget package
Wisconsin’s legislature plans to vote Wednesday, July 2nd on the biennial budget package. Farmer and 49th Assembly District representative Travis Tranel tells Brownfield several programs good for agriculture and rural communities will be funded. “At the end of the day, we were able to fund the dairy processor grants, 800-thousand for that, meat processor grants,…… Continue Reading
Michigan wheat growers advised to keep preharvest sprouting in check
Michigan State University Extension’s wheat specialist says the risk of disease heading into harvest should be limited. Dennis Pennington tells Brownfield, “Some parts of the state, we are three-quarters of the way through the grain fill period.” “When you get disease infection that late in the growing season, the amount of damage done by a…… Continue Reading
Kansas winter wheat harvest picks up pace
The CEO of Kansas Wheat says harvest is finally in full swing despite some weather delays. Justin Gilpin says the pace has picked up over the last week. “We’re making pretty good progress where they are able to get in the fields and haven’t been fighting the weather like we have in the central part…… Continue Reading
Interest rates loom over tight margin environment
High interest rates continue to loom over farmers dealing with tight crop margins. Compeer Financial ag economist Megan Roberts says working at a financial institution, the number growers ask about the most is not grain related. “It is interest rate-related, and that seems to be a pretty hot topic not just within agriculture but across…… Continue Reading
NOAA shows mild to moderate algal bloom for Lake Erie in 2025
Ohio Farm Bureau’s director of water quality and research says heavy rainfall this spring is impacting phosphorus levels into Lake Erie in 2025. Jordan Hoewischer tells Brownfield the lake is expected to have a mildly moderate algal bloom. “It’s showing that we’ve made some progress, but we still have some room to go,” he says.…… Continue Reading
No changes for planted acres for a pair of WCB farmers
Some Great Plains farmers didn’t change course on planted acres this year for varying reasons. Northeast Nebraska farmer Quentin Connealy says it can be hard to grow a soybean crop in the Missouri River bottom. “I would have been a little bit bean heavy this year, but with the flood last year I was able…… Continue Reading
Impressive Illinois wheat harvest
A southeastern Illinois farmer says an impressive winter wheat harvest is wrapping up in his area. “We finished our wheat, and it was very good. There’s some wheat left, but most of it’s done.” Don Guinnip, who raises row crops and cattle in Clark County, says a very wet spring led to some concerns about…… Continue Reading
Watch for Beaver Nuggets: Two New Buc-ee’s Just Opened This Week
Big news for road trippers! Buc-ee’s has opened two new centers, each one bursting with BBQ and a whole lot of amenities. Continue reading…… Continue Reading
Remember Triston Harper? ‘American Idol’ Finalist Is a Father Now
Harper’s wife Paris delivered a baby girl in June. Continue reading…… Continue Reading
