The retiring head of the Wisconsin Agribusiness Association and former feed mill manager says the new tariffs on Canadian products that start in April will likely cause a shift in livestock feed use. Tom Bresner tells Brownfield canola meal has been a low-cost protein source popular with producers, but that’s likely to change. “As far…… Continue Reading
Black Sea uncertainty, tariff threats impacting wheat
An ag economist says the wheat markets have been hesitant amid some Black Sea uncertainty. University of Missouri’s Ben Brown says, “There was a lot of talk around the Russia-Ukraine situation. The U.S. was in Saudi Arabia with Russia trying to broker a peace deal. It seems like there’s some movement happening in that market…… Continue Reading
Hinson remains optimistic on new farm bill
A U.S. Representative from Iowa says she’s encouraged by farm bill progress in Congress. Republican Ashley Hinson tells Brownfield she’s optimistic a new five-year farm bill can get completed before the current extension expires in September. “We’re talking about the need to make sure certainty is in place with crop insurance programs, the trade expansions…… Continue Reading
U.S. hog inventory below a year ago
The U.S. hog herd got a little bit smaller over the past year and could see further declines. The USDA says the domestic hog and pig inventory on March 1st, 2025 was 74.512 million head, slightly below March 1st, 2024, when many analysts had been expecting an increase. That included a 1% decline in the…… Continue Reading
HPAI hits Indiana again, this time in Kosciusko County
Another case of highly pathogenic avian influenza has been detected in Indiana. The state board of animal health says HPAI was found in a commercial table egg pullet facility in northeast Indiana. Denise Derrer Spears says additional cases could impact efforts to rebuild the state’s poultry sector. “The illness is quick and severe and just within a couple…… Continue Reading
MO Farm Bureau health plan advances
The Missouri Senate has advanced a bill that would bring Missouri Farm Bureau another step closer to offering a health plan to its members. Senate Bill 79 provides an exception in statute for the non-profit membership organization to offer a health plan, outlined as a priority for the farm group. The bill will now be…… Continue Reading
Non-plastic soy-based wrap takes home top prize at 2025 Soy Innovation Competition
Photo provided by the Indiana Soybean Alliance. A group of Purdue University students developed a non-plastic soy-based wrap that won top prize at the 31st annual Student Soybean Innovation Competition. Purdue University environmental and natural resources engineering sophomore Claire Eckhardt explains the product. “SoyShield is a self adhesive, flexible thermoplastic film that we essentially marketed for both lab uses…… Continue Reading
DEKALB launches new sorghum products in central U.S.
Sorghum is expected to be an attractive crop for areas experiencing drier than usual field conditions. Bryan Thomas with DEKALB says there are two new varieties of sorghum available in 2025. He says DKS49-76 and DKS43-76 have done well in field trials. The varieties yield well for growers in Kansas, Missouri and Illinois. Supplies are…… Continue Reading
Spring field conditions improving in Minnesota
Farmers in Minnesota and many other Midwest states are waiting for better conditions to begin field preparations for planting. University of Minnesota Extension crops educator Dave Nicolai says like last spring, there’s not a lot of snow cover. “That being said, we had some earlier precipitation which helped in terms of moisture. But we are…… Continue Reading
Ag economist concerned over ongoing tariff spats
A longtime agricultural economist says he’s concerned about the industry’s outlook. Dr. David Kohl, professor emeritus at Virginia Tech University, says the ongoing threat of tariffs are weighing on agriculture. “I think we have to be very concerned about counter tariffs.” He says, “In other words, we put tariffs on automobiles, they come in with…… Continue Reading
