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
A future for a carbon pipeline in South Dakota?
The CEO of the American Carbon Alliance says he’s optimistic a carbon pipeline project can still move forward following the signing of a new eminent domain law in South Dakota. “I don’t think anyone has given up on the pipeline and no one has given up on South Dakota,” says Tom Buis. The new law…… Continue Reading
Making the tariffs work in “the art of the deal”
A farmer from eastern South Dakota says he believes trade tariffs can be a short-term pain for long-term gain. But Scott VanderWal tells Brownfield “I’d hate to see them last too long, like a year or something, but that’s something we can’t control. We’re going to have to hang in there and make it work.”…… Continue Reading
A seasonally active pattern of weather, temperatures across the Heartland
Across the Corn Belt, a band of precipitation—rain and snow—is spreading eastward from Nebraska and Iowa. Elsewhere, warmth in the middle Mississippi Valley contrasts with chilly, dry conditions across the northern Corn Belt. Midwestern winter wheat appears to have overwintered well, with more than one-half of the crop rated in good to excellent condition at…… Continue Reading
More unseasonable warmth ahead for the Heartland; a wet, very active pattern for most
Looking ahead, the 6- to 10-day outlook calls for the likelihood of above-normal temperatures from the central and southern Plains to the East Coast, while colder-than-normal conditions will cover the northern High Plains and the West. Meanwhile, near- or below-normal precipitation in the south-central U.S. and southern Florida should contrast with wetter-than-normal weather across the…… Continue Reading
Cattle lower, waiting for rest of week’s direct trade
Chicago Mercantile Exchange live and feeder cattle were down on the week’s steady to lower direct business, with feeders picking up additional pressure from the higher move in corn. April live was $.27 lower at $196.27 and June was down $.07 at $192.62. April feeders were down $1.65 at $274.42 and May was $1.22 lower…… Continue Reading
