The USDA has trimmed its milk production projection for 2025. Production is now seen at 226.2 billion pounds, a decline of 700 million from February due to a lower per cow output. The average all milk price is estimated at $21.60 per hundredweight, $1 below last month, with lower fat and skim basis exports and…… Continue Reading
NOAA cuts disrupting services for farmers
A state climatologist says cuts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will impact farmer resources. Ohio’s Aaron Wilson tells Brownfield he had been working to build capacity between USDA’s climate hubs and Cooperative Extension through the Climate Ready Midwest Project. “We’re reducing the capability of the hub to operate,” he says. “It’s sort of…… Continue Reading
Minor changes for U.S. rice numbers
USDA made minimal adjustments to the domestic balance sheet for rice. Rice ending stocks were unchanged from February at 47 million hundredweight, with an increase for imports canceled out by higher exports. The USDA did raise the average estimated farm price $.20 to $15.60. In 2023/24, the average farm price was $17.30 per hundredweight. The…… Continue Reading
USDA increases 2025 beef, broiler guesses
The USDA has raised its outlook for 2025 beef and broiler production. Beef production is now pegged at 26.685 billion pounds, up 120 million from February on heavier dressed weights, with an average steer price of $201 per hundredweight, down $1, and higher import and exports against lower domestic consumption. Pork is seen at 28.425…… Continue Reading
Wheat ending stocks up, corn and soybeans steady
The USDA increased its ending stocks projection for U.S. wheat. Domestic 2024/25 wheat ending stocks are now pegged at 819 million bushels, up 25 million from February with the USDA raising imports and cutting exports, while lowering the price outlook $.05 to $5.50 per bushel. The average farm price for 2023/24 was $6.96 per bushel.…… Continue Reading
Wisconsin’s technical schools help farmers keep up with technology
Farm managers and their employees are learning how to use new technologies. Layla Merrifield is the System President for the Wisconsin Technical College System. She tells Brownfield the sixteen state districts have been furiously updating technology programs to meet the needs of farmers and the ag industry, “to make sure that we’re keeping up with…… Continue Reading
Soybean oil market struggling this week
An ag economist says it’s been a rough start to the week for the U.S. soybean oil market. University of Missouri’s Ben Brown says, “China placed a 100% tariff on Canadian canola oil, canola meal, and canola. That caused their markets to really crash. Canola oil competes with U.S. soybean oil. There was concern that…… Continue Reading
HPAI confirmed in Jay County duck facility
A commercial duck breeding facility in Jay County, Indiana, is the latest poultry operation to test positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza. This is the 23rd positive case of HPAI since the start of the year. According to the Indiana Board of Animal Health, more than 3,300 birds will be depopulated to help control the spread…… Continue Reading
Consumer concerns about tariffs
Anytime you turn on the news, the word “tariff” is likely to be used. But let’s consider how tariffs can impact consumers. University of Illinois assistant professor Maria Kalaitzandonakes says the recent Gardner Food and Agricultural Policy Survey found most respondents found that consumers are expecting food price increases. AUDIO: Healthy Living on tariffs The post…… Continue Reading
Grassley concerned about ongoing biodiesel plant shutdowns
Photo of biodiesel pump by Brent Barnett/Brownfield A number of biodiesel plants remain idled across Iowa and a U.S. Senator says he’s concerned about the pause in production. “The Biden administration screwed the whole industry and forced these shutdowns,” Chuck Grassley said Tuesday morning. The Iowa Republican says the plants stopped production after the blenders…… Continue Reading
