A lobbyist with Michigan Farm Bureau says she expects to see support for several bills that would benefit agriculture during this year’s session in Lansing. Rebecca Park tells Brownfield the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza outbreak has increased lawmakers’ attention on ag issues. “I do think that there is an understanding of how important agriculture is, not only…… Continue Reading
Strong U.S./Canada oilseed crush in 2024
The U.S. and Canada combined to crush more oilseeds in 2024 than 2023 as producers tried to meet demand expectations. A joint report from the USDA and Statistics Canada shows 2.637 billion bushels of soybeans were crushed for meal and oil, 84 million more than the previous year. Combined crude soybean oil production climbed 957,211…… Continue Reading
Gregg Ritz acquires Thompson/Center Arms…T/C is back in business
On this episode of the Outdoor Adventures podcast, Brownfield’s Brent Barnett sits down with the new owner of @TCArmsCo, Gregg Ritz. Gregg has been a prominent figure in the hunting industry for decades, and over the last year he’s brought Thompson/Center back to life. We hope you enjoy his story on this week’s special episode!…… Continue Reading
Wet March could push out drought conditions
A state climatologist says precipitation during March could determine how successful crops will be this season. Ohio’s Aaron Wilson tells Brownfield the many parts of the Cornbelt have not fully recovered from fall drought conditions. “As La Nina wanes this spring, there is a higher probability of above average precipitation heading into the months of…… Continue Reading
Inputs remain high, Iowa farmer says
Pictured: Iowa Corn President Stu Swanson at the 2025 Commodity Classic (Photo by Brent Barnett/Brownfield) The president of the Iowa Corn Growers Association says input costs are a concern for producers heading into planting season. Stu Swanson tells Brownfield, “Fertilizer has been slow to come down. In some cases, it’s even higher than a year…… Continue Reading
Weakening U.S. dollar a positive for US exports
Ag economist Ben Brown with the University of Missouri says the weakening U.S. dollar could have a positive impact on ag exports. “We as consumers love a strong dollar. It makes our buying power even much more so. We can buy more product with the same amount of dollars. However, when it comes to the…… Continue Reading
Job opportunities expand within Nebraska’s ethanol industry
Nebraska’s ethanol industry has helped create a number of employment opportunities in the state. University of Nebraska-Lincoln associate professor Tim Meyer says there were more than 1,800 ethanol-related jobs between 2021 and 2023. “It’s about 75 jobs per plant. There’s a range of from about 25 to about 400 jobs per plant, but 75 is…… Continue Reading
AFBF is concerned about impacts of MAHA
The president of the American Farm Bureau Federation has concerns about the newly created Make America Healthy Again Commission. “It really could take modern agriculture backwards,” he says. Zippy Duvall says the organization supports the administration’s goal of bettering the health of consumers, but,”We have come so far in last two or three decades,” he…… Continue Reading
Lawmakers ask for dairy trade resolutions
A group of bipartisan U.S. Senators is calling for fair dairy trade as part of trade talks with Canada. The Senators say Canada has historically failed to live up to its U.S. Mexico-Canada-Agreement commitments and is ignoring regulations under the current deal. The letter to the Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, and the U.S. Trade Representative…… Continue Reading
Cattle producer sees managing risk as top 2025 priority
The vice president of National Farmers Union (NFU) says he has concerns about the strength of the cattle market. Jeff Kippley, who raises beef cattle and row crops in South Dakota, says retaliatory tariffs cutting export demand and high retail prices are worrisome. “You gotta wonder how long are the consumers going to be…… Continue Reading
