Comment period extended for proposed competition rule

The USDA is extending the comment period for its proposed new competition rule under the Packers & Stockyards Act by 15 days. Tanner Beymer with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association says the later deadline is welcomed news, but it’s not enough. “Because it has such wide-ranging wide sweeping impacts potentially on the industry, we need more than…Continue Reading

Keeping cattle cool during extreme heat

Heat stress management plans will be crucial for cattle feedlots during this week’s triple digit temperatures.   University of Nebraska Extension Beef Specialist Alfredo DiCostanzo tells Brownfield he wouldn’t hesitate bedding cattle on higher points of a feed yard. “For now they need a place to lay down, particularly if it’s not going to be a cool…Continue Reading

Farmers needed for MSU field crops climate study

A new climate resilience study at Michigan State University aims to study what practices help field crops during weather extremes. Extension Field Crops Educator Monica Jean tells Brownfield she’s recruiting farmers for different levels of commitment over the next three years. “We’re hoping that they’ll be able to really compare what they’re doing to their…Continue Reading

Radicle Agronomics teaming with farmers on nationwide fertility study

An Illinois-based company is teaming up with farmers nationwide to re-examine decades old soil fertility recommendations. Dale Koch, director of product in research & development at Precision Planting, tells Brownfield… “We are working with a number of partners to conduct new crop response trials and to build a database such that Radicle Agronomics users know…Continue Reading

Report highlights economic contribution of U.S. pork industry

A new report highlights the value the U.S. pork industry brings to the economy. National Pork Producers Council economist Holly Cook says the study factors in related jobs and income. “And we do this by looking at not just what’s happening at the farm level in terms of hog production, but the additional activity that…Continue Reading

ASA: herbicide strategy coming soon

The U.S. EPA is expected to release its final version of a herbicide strategy in the next few weeks that will make rules more compliant with the Endangered Species Act.  Kyle Kunkler with the American Soybean Association tells Brownfield the new draft insecticide strategy will provide insight on the final herbicide strategy. “When we talk…Continue Reading

USDA updates Enhanced Coverage Option insurance program

The USDA’s Risk Management Agency is updating the Enhanced Coverage Option (ECO) for crop insurance in 2025. That includes an increase in premium support to 65%, which USDA says makes the coverage more affordable for the crops covered. Rich Morrison with NAU Country Insurance says Midwest farmers should benefit. “The nice thing is the ECO…Continue Reading

Protecting crop health and improving yields

Commodity prices have continued to face pressure, making it even more important for farmers to get the most yield out of every acre of corn and soybeans. Growing conditions in many parts of the Corn Belt put the corn crop at greater risk for diseases like tar spot.  Tyler Harp, Syngenta technical product lead for…Continue Reading

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