Financial challenges are a concern as farmers embark on another growing season. Ag Ventures Alliance CEO Spencer Stensrude says many members are looking at very thin margins in 2025. “I think farmers across the country in pretty much every crop are struggling with profitability, costs remain very high. Prices, uh, we’re hopeful about prices.” Speaking…… Continue Reading
Stine CEO confident in spring seed supply
The CEO of Stine Seed Company is confident there are adequate seed supplies for planting. Myron Stine tells Brownfield early spring conditions look good. “We feel like we’re getting product shipped in a timely fashion to make sure our customers get what they want.” He says farmers know getting crops off to a good start…… Continue Reading
Economist says there are headwinds slowing expansion of the cattle herd
An ag economist says costs have contributed to the slow expansion of the cattle herd. Kansas State University’s Glynn Tonsor tells Brownfield, “Our costs of running a cow are going up.” “That’s been the case for several years,” he says. “That actually slows down what you can pay or what you should pay. And of…… Continue Reading
Soy-based egg roll wins top food prize in Soybean Innovation Competition
Photo provided by the Indiana Soybean Alliance. A group of food science seniors at Purdue University developed a soy-based snack that took top prize at the inaugural food innovation student soybean competition. Sara Thomason says the idea is based off of an egg roll. “We used spices like ginger, black pepper, garlic, and we even included…… Continue Reading
NW Arkansas farmer says forage levels good despite drought
A northwest Arkansas livestock producer says his forage levels held up through the winter. Jared Phillips, who raises sheep in Washington County, tells Brownfield, “We were a little worried part of the year where we had a real bad drought here in Arkansas, but we came through okay.” He says, “We had plenty of hay…… Continue Reading
Dairy prices mixed, buyers active Friday at CME
Cash dairy prices remained mixed Friday on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Dry whey was up $0.0050 at $0.50. No sales were recorded. Forty-pound cheese blocks were down $0.0125 at $1.6350. Twenty sales were recorded, ranging from $1.6075 to $1.6450. Cheese barrels were unchanged at $1.6350. Eight sales were recorded, ranging from $1.62 to $1.6350. Butter was…… Continue Reading
MAC preparing for tariff impacts
A commercial elevator with business in Canada says grain movement has been heavier than normal to get ahead of next week’s potential tariffs. Adam Geers is the Vice President of Operations at Michigan Agricultural Commodities. “Right now we’re working with these end users that say hey, can we work to move this product one or…… Continue Reading
Rep. Hinson helps introduce Ending China’s Unfair Advantage Act
A U.S. Representative from Iowa says Congress needs to pass legislation that protects the nation’s food supply from foreign entities like China. Republican Ashley Hinson recently helped introduce the Ending China’s Unfair Advantage Act, which she says would “prohibit American taxpayer dollars from funding a U.N. slush fund until China stops exploiting international trade loopholes.”…… Continue Reading
Star of the West digitizes sustainability tracking
Star of the West Milling Company has announced a new partnership with the Swedish company Improvin’ to help growers better track their sustainability efforts. Climate Smart Advisor Katie Adam with Star of the West tells Brownfield, “The first step to sustainability is figuring out your baseline.” “The only way to figure out your baseline is…… Continue Reading
ECAP payments easing some farm economic strain
An agricultural economist at the University of Illinois says producers are starting to receive payments through the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program, or ECAP. Gary Schnitkey says the $10 billion included in the American Relief Act of 2025 will ease some of the financial stress farmers have experienced in the down ag economy. “That’s a $125,000…… Continue Reading
