The outreach agronomist with the Illinois Soybean Association says farmers that are turning to generic chemicals as a cost-saving measure should plan to increase their scouting trips. Stephanie Porter tells Brownfield, “A recent study just came out from Iowa State with fungicides.” She says, “The generics just may not last as long is what they’re…… Continue Reading
Prop 12 and Question 3 stir uncertainty for pork producers in 2025
State livestock confinement laws continue to create uncertainty for the hog industry. National Pork Producers Council president Lori Stevermer says California’s Proposition 12 and Massachusetts’ Question 3 open the door for a patchwork of regulations. “So as a producer, how do I go forward with my business? Do I adapt to Prop 12, which doesn’t…… Continue Reading
ACE has reservations about EPA nominee Zeldin
The biofuels industry is preparing for new leadership at EPA. American Coalition for Ethanol CEO Brian Jennings says the nomination of former New York Congressman Lee Zeldin raises some concerns. “Look, as a congressman from Long Island Lee Zeldin had a really bad record on ethanol. He cosponsored bills that would repeal the Renewable Fuel…… Continue Reading
Illinois budget woes could impact ag
The director of governmental affairs and commodities with the Illinois Farm Bureau says the state’s looming budget issues could impact agriculture. Kevin Semlow tells Brownfield, “The biggest problem they got is their revenue projections are about $3.2 billion below what they anticipated on their tax revenues,” he says. He says underperforming sales tax revenues could…… Continue Reading
Morgan Wallen Surprise-Drops a Haunting New Song, ‘Smile’
The ballad and music video paint a chilling picture of the loneliness that goes on behind closed doors, when the cameras stop rolling. Continue reading…… Continue Reading
Meat exporters already reacting to potential port strike
An export group leader says the potential work stoppage at U.S. ports in mid-January is already affecting markets. Joe Schuele with the U.S. Meat Export Federation tells Brownfield the industry has known about the January 15th, 2025 port worker contract deadline for several months, and he says ports and terminal operators are preparing for a…… Continue Reading
HPAI confirmed at large Ohio poultry operation
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been confirmed at a large Ohio commercial poultry operation. Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Brian Baldridge tells Brownfield it involves nearly a million birds at a laying facility in southwest Ohio. “We’re hopeful this is an isolated case. This was our only commercial flock in 2024. We did have…… Continue Reading
Central Illinois farmer prepping for 2025
A central Illinois farmer says he’s been busy preparing for the 2025 growing season. Lance Muirhead, who farms in Macon County, tells Brownfield, “We’re getting there.” He says, “We got everything cleaned up for the most part and put in the shed. Doing a lot of book work, going a lot of conferences over the…… Continue Reading
More moisture across the eastern Corn Belt; much colder air on-the-move
Across the Corn Belt, light precipitation is moving into areas east of the Mississippi River, in conjunction with a fast-moving storm system. With uncharacteristically warm air accompanying the system, nearly all the precipitation is falling as rain. In the storm’s wake, cooler, breezy weather is overspreading the western Corn Belt. On the Plains, temperatures are…… Continue Reading
A sharply colder, still active pattern for the Heartland; more frequent snows ahead for most
Looking ahead, the 6- to 10-day outlook calls for the likelihood of below-normal temperatures and above-normal precipitation in most areas east of the Rockies, although drier-than-normal conditions should prevail in northern Minnesota and northern New England. Meanwhile, warmer- and drier-than-normal weather will cover the Far West, including large sections of the Pacific Coast States, Great…… Continue Reading
