Brownfield Ag News

Senate urged to advance year-round E15 legislation

Brent Barnett — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 19:39:40 +0000

A U.S. Representative from Iowa says permanent, nationwide year-round E15 would provide greater market certainty for corn growers and biofuel producers. Republican Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks says getting an E15 bill passed out of the US House earlier this year was a long time coming. “If 11 years in a row we have had a waiver […]

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Start crunching the numbers for 2027

Kellan Heavican — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 19:02:29 +0000

A pair of ag economists say it’s time to start planning for the 2027 crop. Allen Featherstone with Kansas State University says producers should start budgeting for next year’s crop and include government assistance they receive this year, including supplemental aid, ARC and PLC payments. “Whether that be for input prices, marketing plans, you […]

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Grains, oilseed export inspections mostly stay on pace

John Perkins — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 18:09:42 +0000

Corn, sorghum, and soybean export inspections continue to make a strong push into the end of the marketing year. The USDA says physical shipments of those three commodities during the week ending July 23rd were more than what’s needed to meet projections, with just over a month remaining in 2025/26. Demand for corn has largely […]

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NCFC: Senate Ag leaders close to bipartisan farm bill deal before August recess

Carah Hart — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 17:56:57 +0000

The CEO of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives says Senate Ag Committee leaders are optimistic about marking up a bipartisan farm bill before the August recess. Duane Simpson says U.S. Senators John Boozman from Arkansas and Amy Klobuchar from Minnesota believe they are very close to a bipartisan deal. “The option is there. They […]

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Missouri farmers adjust schedules and irrigation as triple-digit heat stresses crops and cattle

Carah Hart — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 17:47:33 +0000

Extreme heat has farmers in Missouri and the western Corn Belt moving grain extra early in the morning, keeping irrigation systems up and running and monitoring cattle for heat stress. Andy Hull farms in Nodaway County, Missouri, where the heat index hit 120 degrees on Sunday. He’s been scooping out grain bins, and delivering the crop […]

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Funding cap lifted for Minnesota Beginning Farmer Tax Credit

Mark Dorenkamp — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 17:19:38 +0000

A farm business management instructor says changes to Minnesota’s Beginning Farmer Tax Credit should make the program more effective. Kristina McVicker with South Central College tells Brownfield a funding cap has been temporarily removed for 2026 transactions. “If there are some beginning farmers out there that didn’t get in with the first round, so to […]

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Cash dairy prices were down Monday

Erin Anderson — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 17:08:52 +0000

Cash dairy prices were down Monday to start the week at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Dry whey was unchanged at $0.68. No sales were reported. Forty-pound cheese blocks were down $0.0125 at $1.5950. No sales were reported. Cheese barrels were unchanged at $1.63. No sales were recorded. Butter was down $0.0375 to $1.47. Seventeen sales were reported ranging from $1.46 to $1.5050. Nonfat dry milk was down $0.0025 to $1.40. Seventeen sales were reported ranging from $1.38 to $1.3975.

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Midday cash livestock markets

Meghan Grebner — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 17:05:58 +0000

Direct cash cattle trade activity is quiet as buyers and sellers continue to prepare for the week ahead. Bids and asking prices have yet to be established. The bulk of the week’s business isn’t expected until sometime Thursday or Friday. Last week, Southern live deals were at $230 to $231, $7 to $8 lower than […]

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Iowa farmers meet with state, federal officials to discuss flooding during Colfax roundtable

Brent Barnett — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 16:39:11 +0000

Flood impacts were a key topic during a farmer roundtable in Colfax, Iowa on Friday. Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig tells Brownfield flood waters have caused crop damage in several parts of the state this growing season. Jasper County is one of those areas. “Pretty wet actually early on and maybe gave them some challenges […]

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Pork producers continue push for Prop 12 relief in Senate

Brent Barnett — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 16:13:57 +0000

The president of the National Pork Producers Council says he’s optimistic a fix for Proposition 12 can still be included in the Senate’s version of the farm bill. “Every indication I’ve got is they are still going to do their best to get it in there,” Rob Brenneman told Brownfield on Monday. He says the […]

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Beef-on-dairy trend helping drive U.S. dairy herd growth

Erin Anderson — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 15:31:41 +0000

A dairy lender says the added value of beef-on-dairy calves has helped grow the U.S. dairy herd over the last year. But, Tim Van Hofwegen with Farm Credit Services of America says the economics are changing. “That’s mostly been through producers holding onto cows longer and having older animals in the herd,” he says. “That trend can’t […]

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Make the most out of soybean moisture this fall

Jared White — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 15:27:12 +0000

A soybean extension specialist with the University of Minnesota says prioritizing soybean moisture levels during harvest could help growers’ bottom lines. During a recent Science for Success webinar, Dr. Seth Naeve says harvesting soybeans under the optimal 13% moisture costs farmers billions each year. “On average, we were at 10.2% last year.” He says, “That’s […]

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Economist warns of growing uncertainty in ag policy

Kellan Heavican — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 15:23:20 +0000

An economist says today’s agriculture policy isn’t built for the future of the industry. Brad Lubben with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln says while there’ve been necessary updates to the farm safety net, it doesn’t address larger issues. “The future directions of the ag economy and drivers on the policy front – those are the […]

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The summer of sardines

Meghan Grebner — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 11:31:00 +0000

One of the biggest healthy food trends in the last few years has been tinned fish. That could be oily fish, which are high in Omega 3s like sardines, mackerel, salmon, or trout. But did you know those little fish pack a big punch when it comes to health benefits? AUDIO: Healthy Living on sardines

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Sorghum: a solution

Mark Dorenkamp — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 10:59:00 +0000

Monty Christian with Texas Tech University says he expects U.S. sorghum acreage to grow as more farmers see its benefits. He tells Brownfield sorghum is a great rotation crop, shows promise in dairy rations, and has established markets like China.

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Ag economist says heifer retention increases, but cattle herd expansion remains uncertain

Meghan Grebner — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 10:42:00 +0000

An ag economist says there’s still no clear signs of expansion in the cattle herd. Josh Maples with Mississippi State University Extension says heifers held back for beef cow replacement were up 3 percent in the Cattle Inventory report. “Yes, it’s an increase and it’s the first increase since 2015, which is important,” he says. “But 3.8 million head is still […]

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USDA announces August reopening of Arizona port for cattle imports from Mexico

Meghan Grebner — Sat, 25 Jul 2026 02:09:09 +0000

The USDA has announced plans to resume live cattle imports from Mexico. Beginning August 24th, the department says it will open the Douglas, Arizona port to cattle trade. Stephen Diebel, president of the Texas and Southwest Cattle Raisers Association, and cow-calf operator, tells Brownfield the Douglas port is about 350 miles from the latest case. “That phase-in approach in that area, […]

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Soybeans rise on weather concerns as wheat dips

John Perkins — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 20:45:07 +0000

Soybeans were higher on fund and technical buying, adding to what would have already been a week-to-week gain. Forecasts into early August for large parts of the region are hot and dry, potentially stressing the crop. This is a critical time for soybean development, so weather will continue to be one of the big drivers. […]

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Compeer appraiser: today’s farmland buyers are showing more discipline

Mark Dorenkamp — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 20:39:54 +0000

A certified appraiser with Compeer Financial says many farmers are being more selective about buying farmland. Brent Wiest tells Brownfield buyer behavior has changed. “There’s still farmers and investors buying farmland, and there’s still competitive sales for high-quality properties. But they’re acting more disciplined than they were during the strongest parts of the market.” And […]

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WiWiC says NRCS staff reductions slow farmer access to programs

Nicole Heslip — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 20:34:54 +0000

A conservation advocate says volunteer groups like hers have been standing in place for lost conservation technical assistance following USDA staff reductions. Michael Fields Agricultural Institute Advancement Director Kriss Marion helps to facilitate the Wisconsin Women in Conservation Network. “We are more of facilitation and support, helping people know what is possible and what they can […]

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