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
Ultraviolet light helps seeds express desirable traits
A company has developed new technology that can treat seeds with light to unlock desirable traits. BioLumic founder and Chief Science Officer Jason Wargent tells Brownfield they found it was possible to have plants express desirable traits without genetically modifying them, with very positive results. “We see these initially staggering gains in yield. We really…… Continue Reading
Digital tools help farmer’s efficiency
What is Digital farming? Libby Rens, U.S. Technical Agronomy Manager for BASF Digital Farming, who leads a team that works on trialing and validation of digital farming models, explained this data-driven approach to farming. Rens tells Brownfield Digital farming is important to BASF because it offers farmers a smart, cost effective and sustainable approach to…… Continue Reading
Cold winter brings some spring benefits
An agronomist with AgriGold says areas that saw extended cold spells this winter could see some benefits this spring. Brian Weihmeir, who covers central Illinois, says colder winters help alleviate soil compaction. “Because we get that frost deeper into the profile where we get that moisture to expand when it freezes.” He says, “It creates…… Continue Reading
Beck’s Hybrids expands production capabilities
The production manager with Beck’s Hybrids says farmers in several states will soon have better access to high quality seed. Jason Morehouse says the company has announced the acquisition of two Gro Alliance facilities in Illinois and Indiana. “Both of these sites have some warehouse capabilities and likely will help us get more packaged quicker…… Continue Reading
