Early season rains take toll on Minnesota crops

A west-central Minnesota farmer says excessive moisture early in the growing season has taken a toll on his crops. Joe Serbus farms in Renville County and tells Brownfield frequent spring rains slowed planting and hindered emergence. “First stumbling stone was getting the corn out of the ground, but later as we got into June it…Continue Reading

Illinois State Fair sets attendance record

The 2024 Illinois State Fair was a record setter. Governor JB Pritzker says more than 773,000 people attended the 11-day event, the highest number on record, and 66,000 more than 2023.  Officials tout excellent weather and a diverse grandstand lineup for the surge.  Carnival revenue was also up over last year. As previously reported, the…Continue Reading

American Bird Conservancy incentivizing neonic-free seed use

The director of government relations for the American Bird Conservancy says funding is now available for farmers interested in sourcing and using seeds not coated with neonicotinoid insecticides. Hardy Kern, who oversees the organization’s Pesticides and Birds Campaign, says the “Untreated Seed Pilot Program” offers payments on a per acre basis. “Try to find a…Continue Reading

RFA’s flex fuel hybrid vehicle delivering promising results

The senior vice president of the Renewable Fuels Association says ethanol and electricity can jointly power vehicles today. Robert White tells Brownfield RFA purchased a 2022 Ford Escape plug-in hybrid vehicle to demonstrate this. “What we did was use a conversion kit to change or manipulate the liquid fuel side so it was flex fuel,”…Continue Reading

Playlist