A beef processing facility in southeastern South Dakota has closed. CIMPL’s, LLC is part of the American Foods Group’s fresh meats division. A press release says the closure is due to changes in the current cattle cycle and other long-term industry changes. More than 250 employees are affected at the Yankton, South Dakota location and…… Continue Reading
USDA takes more comments on HPAI indemnity payment rule
USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has reopened the public comment period for an interim final rule for indemnity payments for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. The interim final rule requires farmers pass a biosecurity audit before restocking their poultry after an HPAI detection before they can receive future indemnity payments. And farmers who…… Continue Reading
Nebraska Gov. Pillen on USDA’s HPAI plan
Nebraska Governor and licensed veterinarian Jim Pillen says when it comes to addressing Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in poultry, he has two beliefs – the virus always wins in a naïve population of people, birds or mammals, and “there’s no effective vaccine.” He tells Brownfield that’s because a vaccine doesn’t provide 100% coverage for the…… Continue Reading
Cattle, hog future start the week higher
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were higher with sharply higher boxed beef during the session. April live cattle closed $1.85 higher at $205.02 and June lives closed $1.72 higher at $201.07. April feeder cattle closed $3.00 higher at $284.20 and May feeders closed $2.65 higher at $285.30. Direct cash cattle trade…… Continue Reading
Fluid tariff situation complicates risk management
An extension ag economist is concerned the fluid situation with tariffs is complicating risk management for farmers. Chad Hart with Iowa State University tells Brownfield the landscape seems to be constantly changing. “You think back over the past month, month and-a-half, we have seen tariffs introduced and pulled back multiple times. So it’s really challenging…… Continue Reading
Family’s transition to milking robots is going well
A central Wisconsin dairy farm is finding success in the first phase of transitioning to milking with robots. Jay Heeg with Heeg Brothers Dairy near Colby, Wisconsin says they currently milk 1,050 in their parlor and 450 in the new robot milking barn, which opened in December of 2023. Heeg tells Brownfield they’re making the…… Continue Reading
Federal impoundment lawsuits could reshape ag
The director of the National Agricultural Law Center says several lawsuits around the U.S. President’s ability to impound Congressionally approved funds could reshape agriculture. Harrison Pittman says modern agriculture relies on a close relationship with the federal government. “In 2024, more than 40% of producer income came from the federal government,” he says. He tells…… Continue Reading
Illinois farmer gives planting timeline update
A central Illinois farmer says he’s targeting an early April planting date. Derek Martin raises corn and soybeans in Logan County. “We’ve got everything machinery wise ready to go. Right now we’re just kind of hanging back and waiting on Mother Nature to tell us it’s time to go.” He tells Brownfield he didn’t get…… Continue Reading
Could a federal E15 solution become a reality this year?
There’s optimism among some ethanol supporters that a permanent fix for year-round E15 could become a reality this year. “I think we’re as close as we’ve ever been to getting this across the finish line,” said farmer Kelly Nieuwenhuis from northwest Iowa. Nieuwenhuis is a past president of both the Iowa Corn Promotion Board and…… Continue Reading
Growth Energy praises U.S., Vietnam MOU on ethanol use
The government of Vietnam has announced a directive that promotes the usage of U.S. ethanol within the country. Emily Marthaler, director of global policy with Growth Energy, says the U.S. ethanol industry recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Vietnam’s largest petroleum distributor. “Currently they use a five percent blend in one of their grades…… Continue Reading
