The USDA’s National Ag Statistics Service has announced it will reinstate several previously suspended reports and programs, including the July Cattle Inventory report. Oklahoma State University extension livestock marketing specialist Derrell Peel says given the current cattle cycle, this is good news. “Getting that midyear report will give us an indication of the replacement heifer… ... Continue Reading

Cash dairy prices were mixed again Wednesday on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.    Dry whey was up $0.01 for a second straight day at $0.47.  One sale was recorded at that price.  Forty-pound cheese block prices have stopped their week-long backslide.  Prices were up $0.03 at $1.6050, twelve cents below last Wednesday’s price of $1.7250.  Seven… ... Continue Reading

U.S. ethanol production bounced back last week. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says production 1.105 million barrels per day, rising 43,000 on the week and 59,000 on the year. That increase in production can be tied to better returns. Iowa State University’s Center for Agricultural and Rural Development says estimated operating margins for the average… ... Continue Reading

Food and agriculture exports in Michigan set a new high in 2024 at nearly $3 billion. Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director Tim Boring tells Brownfield, “Canada is far and away our greatest trading partner, more than $1.25 billion of economic activity happens there.” “Mexico is a huge trading partner at close to… ... Continue Reading

The vice president of federal affairs with Clean Fuels Alliance America says the organization has been joined by several ag groups in renewing the call for the EPA to set increased Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) volumes for 2026. Kurt Kovarik says a letter to the agency asks for finalized biomass-based diesel volumes at 5.25 billion… ... Continue Reading

Water rights remain a legislative priority for Indiana Farm Bureau and its members, and its being addressed by the General Assembly. Director of public policy Andy Tauer says there has progress with Senate Bill 28. “This would put protections not only for just farmers but all of agriculture,” he says. “It did get recommitted to… ... Continue Reading

Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins says the work the Trump administration is doing to address highly pathogenic avian influenza is working. “The market reacted very positively to being bold and to having a big plan to investing where it matters, in biosecurity especially,” she says.  “We’ve seen the prices come down in the wholesale market 44%… ... Continue Reading

Despite the down economy, construction projects on farms continue to keep contractors busy. Jacob Ullmer from Fox Cities Builders in Seymour, Wisconsin tells Brownfield they’ve been busier over the past year, and 2025 is not slowing down. “Dairy and production agriculture is the spot to be but working with beef customers as well.” Ullmer says… ... Continue Reading

A northwestern Arkansas farmer says the USDA’s Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) is an investment in rural America. Jared Phillips, who raises sheep and forages at Branch Mountain Farm in Washington County, says he utilized the program to completely alter his operation. “It let us make some key investments in our farm.”  He says, “It… ... Continue Reading

At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were mixed, waiting on the week’s direct business to develop. April live cattle closed $.35 higher at $205.37 and June lives closed $.07 lower at $201.  April feeder cattle closed $.35 higher at $284.55 and May feeder cattle closed $.05 lower at $285.25.  It was an […]

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