Ag News
Homestead Credit a big policy win for Minnesota Soybean Growers
A policy priority for the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association passed during the recently completed legislative session. President Bob Worth says the association has been seeking to raise the valuation limit of the Homestead Tax Credit [Read More…]
Dairy leader concerned about possible USDA cheese purchase
Reports about a large cheese purchase by the USDA to aid schools and food banks has a dairy leader wondering if there might be a downside. Laurie Fischer with the American Dairy Coalition tells Brownfield [Read More…]
First-crop hay quality looks good in Wisconsin
A University Extension expert says there’s good news and bad news for the first crop of hay now being harvested in Wisconsin. Richard Halopka is based in Clark County. He says, ”What I’m seeing being [Read More…]
Specialty soybean expands markets for oil demand.
High oleic soybeans have created a new market for U.S. soy farmers because it offers end users a more functional U.S. grown product without sacrificing yield. In this episode, learn how checkoff dollars are helping [Read More…]
Nebraska trying to buck trend of declining dairy farms
The president of the Nebraska State Dairy Association says the state is trying to reverse a trend that the number of dairy farms continue to decline. Mike Guenther tells Brownfield there are less than [Read More…]
Plus 50 engine oil
Parts marketing specialist Phil Lauer says John Deere offers its own brand of engine oil called Plus-50 II. He tells Brownfield it’s designed specifically for heavy-duty diesel engines but also works in gasoline engines, so [Read More…]
Rains remain scattered on the Plains next week; warm, dry weather for the eastern Corn Belt
The tropical depression over the Gulf of Mexico is expected to dissipate over the next day or two while drifting southward. However, occasional showers may linger for the next several days across Florida’s peninsula. Farther [Read More…]
Parasitic wasp a natural predator of soybean gall midge
Researchers have discovered a natural predator of soybean gall midge that could prove beneficial to managing the pest. Amelia Lindsey is an associate professor in the Department of Entomology at the University of Minnesota and [Read More…]
Sharply higher cash business supports cattle futures
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle ended the day higher, supported by the sharply higher cash business that took place on Thursday. June live cattle closed $5.77 higher at $174.90 and August [Read More…]
U.S. debt default a concern for NE farmer
A southeast Nebraska farmer says he’s concerned about the consequences for agriculture if the U.S. government defaults on its debt. Nathan Dorn tells Brownfield Social Security will be at risk. “If the U.S. defaults, that’s [Read More…]
Abnormal dryness spreading across the mitten
The president of the Michigan Farmers Union tells Brownfield it’s extremely dry for his area in the center of the state. Bob Thompson grows row corn, soybeans, and hay in Isabella County. “I personally am [Read More…]
Northern potato growers would appreciate a rain
Soil conditions have gone from too wet to very dry as potato planting wraps up in northern states. In northwest Minnesota, farmer Peter Imle says soil conditions are much better now for the seed and [Read More…]
Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: June 1, 2023
Jul. corn closed at $5.92 and 1/2, down 1 and 1/2 centsJul. soybeans closed at $13.29 and 1/2, up 29 and 3/4 centsJul. soybean meal closed at $401.40, up $8.00Jul. soybean oil closed at 47.86, up [Read More…]
U.S. House passes debt ceiling agreement
On a vote of 314 – 117, the U.S. House has passed the agreement in principle to raise the debt ceiling and the Senate is now considering the bill. The bill includes a temporary expansion [Read More…]
Ethanol production up, supply expands
Ethanol production and stocks both moved higher last week. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says production was a six-week high at 1.004 million barrels, an increase of 21,000 from the previous week, but a decrease [Read More…]
Drought is getting worse in Missouri
Governor Mike Parson has issued a drought alert for more than half of the state. More than 60% of Missouri counties are experiencing some level of dryness, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Extreme drought [Read More…]
Hay production isn’t great in southwest MO
A cattle producer in southwest Missouri says fescue is making about half of the tonnage of a normal year. Adam Whitesell from Dade and Greene Counties has been baling hay in the last week and [Read More…]
Opportunities for canola in the Renewable Fuel Standard
Canola-oil derived renewable diesel and other related biofuels now qualify as “advanced biofuels” under the Renewable Fuel Standard thanks to a determination by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency late last year. In this episode of [Read More…]
Farmers for Free Trade: Indo-Pacific Economic Framework progress being made
The executive director of Farmers for Free Trade says overcoming non-tariff trade barriers should be a priority for the Biden administration as they continue work on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity. Brian Kuehl says [Read More…]
Russia, Ukraine disagreements put Black Sea Agreement back in unchartered waters
Disagreements between Russia and Ukraine over agriculture exports have put the future of the Black Sea Grain Initiative in jeopardy once again. Jim McCormick with AgMarket.Net tells Brownfield Russia is demanding to increase its exports [Read More…]