A supplier of crop inputs and services says 2024 yields varied greatly, but a year’s worth of unusual weather led to another unexpected outcome. Brad Mathson will Allied Cooperative in Hixton, Wisconsin tells Brownfield some of his farmer clients were trying different tillage methods ahead of soybeans and getting unexpected yield results. “At the end…… Continue Reading
Solar farms expected to remain polarizing in 2025
Solar farms displacing productive farmland will likely remain a sensitive topic among farmers in 2025. Minnesota Farmers Union president Gary Wertish says solar sites should not be located on prime crop ground. “But then I see the investments (by) utilities (so) they want it close to their transmission lines, and it’s more economic for them…… Continue Reading
Using technology to improve animal care
Disease severity in animals can be very difficult to evaluate clinically. Dr. Brad White is a veterinarian with Kansas State University’s Beef Cattle Institute. “In an animal, for example, that I’ve treated a couple of times, and they seem to have maybe recovered a little, but they’re not back to full speed, how do I…… Continue Reading
What can we expect from this winter?
The associate director of the Midwest Regional Climate Center says elevated precipitation across the Eastern Corn Belt is providing some drought relief. Melissa Widhelm tells Brownfield… “We are expecting to see an increase in precipitation above what we would normally see throughout this winter,” she says. “We’re hopeful that these drought conditions that have been…… Continue Reading
American Farmland Trust seeing spike in agrivoltaics interest
A solar specialist with American Farmland Trust (AFT) says the number of solar farms incorporating some type of agriculture within the project is increasing. Alan Bailey says the practice, known as agrivoltaics, is becoming more common. “It’s beginning to pick up.” He says, “Kind of the easy thing to do right now is grazing sheep.…… Continue Reading
Snack Attack! McDonald’s Snack Wrap Is Coming Back
It’s been nearly a decade since these were on the menu. Continue reading…… Continue Reading
Looming tariff concerns
The vice president of economic analysis for the U.S. Meat Export Federation says she’s concerned about the long-term impacts of tariffs in the new administration. Erin Borror says the pork industry is still dealing with the impacts of the last trade war. “We understand very clearly what can happen and that did have a double…… Continue Reading
Weed management specialist urges diversification of herbicides
A Kansas State University weed management specialist says having a diversified herbicide strategy is crucial for sorghum producers. Sarah Lancaster tells Brownfield says growers should be using multiple effective herbicides to target weeds. “Our number one weed in all of our crops in Kansas is Palmer Amaranth,” she says. She says herbicide-resistant varieties are starting…… Continue Reading
Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: December 5, 2024
Mar. corn closed at $4.35, up 5 centsJan. soybeans closed at $9.93 and 3/4, up 10 centsJan. soybean meal closed at $291.10, down 80 centsJan. soybean oil closed at 42.31, up 89 pointsMar. wheat closed at $5.58 and 1/4, up 10 centsFeb. live cattle closed at $186.32, down $2.00Jan. feeder cattle closed at $254.92, down…… Continue Reading
Soybeans, corn, wheat see modest gains Thursday
Soybeans were higher on fund and technical buying. Beans saw some additional direction from bean oil, which was up on solid global demand expectations. Soybean meal was down on product spread trade and profit taking. Weekly export sales were larger than average at 85 million bushels, with China and unknown destinations topping the list. Additionally,…… Continue Reading
