U.S. red meat production totaled 55.036 billion pounds in 2024. The USDA says that was 1% above the 2023 total, mostly commercial production, with half of that in either Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, or Texas. Beef production was slightly higher than the prior year at 27.049 billion pounds, with a 3% decline in slaughter canceled out…… Continue Reading

A southwest Iowa farmer says conditions have been favorable for planting. Duane Aistrope raises corn and soybeans in Fremont County. “I took on a new farm down on the Missouri River bottom towards Percival this year,” he said. “This is all new to me down there on that bottom ground. I was talking to neighbor…… Continue Reading

Broiler hatchery numbers were mixed but continue to point to higher production in 2025. The USDA says 250.128 million broiler-type eggs were set into incubation, falling 225,000 on the week, but rising 1% on the year, with average hatchability of 78.8%. 191.518 million broiler-type chicks were placed into meat production, 783,000 less than the previous…… Continue Reading

Corn is becoming more profitable in a long-term agricultural research project at Michigan State University. MSU Extension’s Christine Charles tells Brownfield 2024 was the third year a traditional corn and soybean rotation was compared to a five-crop rotation with a suite of conservation practices. “That was the first year that we were seeing corn yield more…… Continue Reading