An extension field crop pathologist at Purdue University says farmers should be on the lookout for early tar spot development to prevent long-term damage. Darcy Telenko says tar spot has now been confirmed in Indiana, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, and Nebraska. “Does the lesion go all the way through the leaf,” she says. “When we…… Continue Reading
Cattle groups respond to USDA’s New World Screwworm plan
The USDA has announced its plan to combat the northward spread of New World screwworm. New World screwworm is a devastating pest that can be deadly to animals. Ethan Lane, vice president of government affairs for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, says the five-point plan announced by Secretary Rollins on Wednesday sends a very…… Continue Reading
Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: June 18, 2025
Jul. corn closed at $4.33 and 1/2, up 2 centsJul. soybeans closed at $10.74 and 3/4, up 3/4 centJul. soybean meal closed at $284.90, down 20 centsJul. soybean oil closed at 54.77, down 2 pointsJul. wheat closed at $5.74 and 1/4, up 25 and 1/4 centsAug. live cattle closed at $211.67, up $1.02Aug. feeder cattle…… Continue Reading
Indiana Pork donates meals to local food banks through Fort Wayne TinCaps partnership
The director of communications for Indiana Pork says an ongoing partnership with a minor league baseball team is helping supply local food banks with protein. Jeanette Merritt says the organization has donated more than 5,000 meals to the Fort Wayne community in the first two years of the joint effort. “We anticipate that we’re going…… Continue Reading
Broiler placements stay ahead of 2024 pace
2025 broiler hatchery numbers remain on pace to top 2024. The USDA says 252.107 million broiler-type eggs were set into incubators last week, falling 800,000 from the previous week, but rising 1% from a year ago, with average hatchability 79.1%. 194.485 million broiler-type chicks entered meat production, up 750,000 on the week and 1% on…… Continue Reading
Red meat production dips on slower slaughter
Red meat production last month was impacted by slower slaughter rates. The USDA says commercial red meat production during May was 4.376 billion pounds, a decrease of 5% on the year, with beef down 9% at 2.123 billion on an 11% drop in the cattle slaughter at 2.449 million head due to tighter available supplies,…… Continue Reading
Michigan-grown foods in schools could see less support from state
Incentives for schools to purchase Michigan-grown foods are at risk as state lawmakers work toward passing the budget for next year. Senate Natural Resources and Agriculture Committee Chair Sue Shink tells Brownfield a lot of projects are under review as uncertainty in Congress has put more than 40 percent of the state’s budget in jeopardy.…… Continue Reading
Climate change cuts global crop yields, even when farmers adapt
An assistant professor of agricultural and consumer economics at the University of Illinois says a new study shows the global food system faces growing risks from climate change, even as farmers seek to adapt. Andrew Hultgren, lead study author, tells Brownfield, “Adaptation is really important.” He says, “It mitigates about 34% of losses from climate…… Continue Reading
Immigration enforcement contradictions raise concerns
Leaders from agriculture and food industry groups are calling on the Trump administration to support immigration policies that protect skilled workers. During a call with reporters Tuesday, Executive Director of Dairy Producers of New Mexico Beverly Idsinga described a farm’s I-9 audit earlier this month that resulted in the removal of more than half of…… Continue Reading
Blake Shelton Joins Noah Cyrus on Song ‘New Country’
Noah is entering her country era. Continue reading…… Continue Reading
