Some farmers are looking to diversify their operation because of low commodity prices. Randy Duckworth with the Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance says interest in growing specialty crops has grown as conventional corn and soybean prices sink. “You have a lot more producers who are interested in diversifying and trying to reduce their risk.” He…… Continue Reading
Canada suspends some U.S. pork imports
A market analyst says Canada’s recent suspension of some U.S. pork imports could be a result of the back-and-forth happening as a new trade war begins. “Maybe it’s the Canadian authorities putting a small thorn in our side.” The USDA says Canada has suspended imports from the largest U.S. pork processing plant, run by Smithfield…… Continue Reading
Water export bill advances in MO Senate
A bill on water rights that has the support of several state ag groups advanced out of the Missouri Senate on Thursday. Senate Bill 82 requires a permit from the Department of Natural Resources to export water from Missouri. A similar bill was considered in the state legislature last year, but didn’t advance. Mike Deering…… Continue Reading
Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: March 7, 2025
May corn closed at $4.69 and 1/4, up 5 and 1/4 centsMay soybeans closed at $10.25, down 2 and 1/4 centsMay soybean meal closed at $304.40, down 50 centsMay soybean oil closed at 43.42, up 25 pointsMay wheat closed at $5.51 and 1/4, down 2 and 3/4 centsApr. live cattle closed at $200.27, up $4.00Apr.…… Continue Reading
UK Yield Enhancement Network farmer shares lessons learned
A third-generation farmer from the United Kingdom says focusing on soil health and increased management has doubled his wheat yields. Mark Stubbs tells Brownfield he credits his country’s Yield Enhancement Network, or YEN, for the results. “It is 80 percent of weather factor and maybe 20 percent farm factor, so that 20 percent is important,…… Continue Reading
Quiet end to a volatile week for grains and oilseeds
Soybeans were mixed, with nearby contracts ending week modestly lower. It was an up and down day for beans, eventually falling into bear spreading. The trade’s watching harvest weather in Argentina and Brazil and while some firms have trimmed estimates, combined production is going to put a lot of beans and products on the export…… Continue Reading
Six finalists named for next Alice in Dairyland
The Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection has narrowed the applicants down to Grande Cheese Company food scientist Allison Foster of Waupun; ag journalist Michelle Stangler of Watertown; farmer, educator, and cross-country coach Mikayla Flyte from Coloma; farmer and social media coordinator Natalie Roe of Monticello; livestock producer and ag educator for the Viroqua…… Continue Reading
Rep. Hinson says tariffs are part of Trump’s “long game” approach
A U.S. Representative from Iowa says President Trump has been strategic in his recent tariff actions. “He’s playing chess, not checkers,” Republican Ashley Hinson said Friday. Hinson tells Brownfield there could be some short-term uncertainty, but, “President Trump’s overall goal is to protect American workers and American trade to bring back more opportunity, better bridges,…… Continue Reading
Cenex’s spring equipment checklist
Cenex fuel sign photo taken by Brent Barnett/Brownfield A district manager of lubricants for Cenex says farmers should consider equipment maintenance in their spring planting checklist. Scot Hermanson tells Brownfield tractors and planters need to be cleaned and lubricated. “We want to make sure things get greased up in the right areas of the tractor…… Continue Reading
Not optimistic for a 2025 farm bill
The president of the Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association says a recent trip to Capitol Hill doesn’t leave him optimistic for a 2025 farm bill. KJ Johnson says Congress has a full agenda. “There’s a lot of conversation about the farm bill, but when does it actually happen?” He says, “The biggest thing most people…… Continue Reading
