Brownfield Ag News

Rising fuel and diesel costs are impacting every segment of the cattle industry, making risk management more critical than ever

Meghan Grebner — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 20:59:29 +0000

A livestock economist says the volatility in fuel prices highlights the need to have a solid risk management plan in place. Kenny Burdine is with the University of Kentucky. “Some of the uncertainty with respect to live imports from Mexico, what we’re seeing with the Strait, and all of those things that are impossible to predict going forward,” he says. “Those are […]

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Illinois Women in Conservation forms

Jared White — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 20:57:26 +0000

The farmer training program manager with The Land Connection says a new group catering specifically to female landowners and farmers has formed in Illinois. Crystal Siltman says Illinois Women in Conservation (IWIC) aims to provide a crucial link between women farmland owners and the resources they need to achieve their conservation goals. “A lot of […]

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Wheat mixed Friday, closing out week with gains on weather, fertilizer concerns

John Perkins — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 20:39:58 +0000

Soybeans were higher on short covering and technical buying, while still closing modestly lower on the week. Beans were watching U.S. planting, expecting good progress, and waiting for any news on U.S./China trade talks. The timing and even the actual occurrence of those negotiations is at least partially tied to what happens with the military […]

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Michigan deer debate: Farm Bureau says policy changes could worsen overpopulation

Nicole Heslip — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 20:23:42 +0000

Michigan Farm Bureau says some of the deer management policies under consideration by the state’s Natural Resources Commission would be a rollback of current efforts to control overpopulation. Justin Tomei tells Brownfield the organization opposes three of the 15 major changes to deer regulations being reviewed, including a one buck rule. “Big bucks can rub big […]

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More dairy products are in cold storage

Larry Lee — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 20:15:36 +0000

The USDA says more butter and cheese products are in cold storage than before. The amount of butter inventory at the end of March was 288.8 million pounds, compared to 256.2 million pounds in February. The March butter stocks were lower than a year ago, when there was 323.1 million pounds in cold storage. Cheese […]

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Cattle futures higher to finish the week

Meghan Grebner — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 20:13:17 +0000

At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were higher, supported by an oversold bounce. June live cattle closed $1.72 higher at $245.22 and August live cattle closed $1.50 higher at $241.65. May feeder cattle closed $2.02 higher at $360.90 and August feeder cattle closed $2.42 higher at $361.77. Direct cash cattle trade was […]

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Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: April 24, 2026

John Perkins — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 20:13:08 +0000

May corn $4.55, down 1/2 centMay soybeans $11.63 and 3/4, up 4 centsMay soybean meal $324.30, up $3.70May soybean oil 71.91, up 25 pointsMay Chicago wheat $6.08 and 1/4, down 2 and 1/2 centsJun. live cattle $245.22, up $1.72May feeder cattle $360.90, up $2.02Jun. lean hogs $101.90, down $1.55May Class III milk closed at $17.55, […]

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Trump admin eyes new fertilizer plants, a fix to address high fertilizer costs

Carah Hart — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 20:10:58 +0000

The Trump administration is working on a plan to increase domestic nitrogen fertilizer production and infrastructure in the United States. Following a Missouri farmer roundtable, Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins told reporters, “America has off-shored for far too long, far too much of our fertilizer production, leaving us dangerously reliant on Russia and China.” Rollins tells […]

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Canadian agri-food group aligns with US. Ag Coalition on USMCA

Nicole Heslip — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 20:10:45 +0000

The Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance executive director says the U.S.-Canada-Mexico Agreement has benefited farmers on both sides of the border. Michael Harvey tells Brownfield he supports the work of the U.S. Agricultural Coalition for USMCA to ensure an agreement stays in place. “What they want is to just renew the agreement for 16 years as […]

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Second round of USDA disaster payments announced, deadline moved to August 12

Brent Barnett — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 19:54:57 +0000

The USDA has announced it will be issuing a second round of aid payments under the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program. Richard Fordyce, USDA Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation, says the payments are for eligble producers who have approved program applications for losses due to natural disasters in calendar years 2023 and 2024. Speaking […]

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Red meat, poultry in cold storage lower than last year

John Perkins — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 19:48:34 +0000

Demand had a big impact on U.S. poultry in cold storage during March. The USDA says total poultry supplies at the end of last month were 5% below a year ago at 1.025 billion pounds despite a 10% year-over-year rise in monthly production. That included a 3% decline from last year for chicken supplies at […]

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Cash rent averages unexpectedly up slightly in 2025

Jared White — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 19:44:23 +0000

A farm management specialist at the University of Illinois says cash rent averages did a few unexpected things in 2025. Gary Schnitkey says despite the slumping ag economy, some Corn Belt land rental rates increased. “We saw rents stay the same to increase slightly.” He says, “For example, on excellent quality land, cash rent went […]

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New study highlighting role of sustainable ag practices to boosting yields and lowering costs

Erin Anderson — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 19:40:30 +0000

The vice president of sustainability at Farm Credit Services of America says a recent study is highlighting the economic benefits of conservation practices. Myriah Johnson says soil health practices are helping some farmers navigate tighter margins. “Yields could be boosted, which increases revenue,” she says. “Many of them also saw lower input costs. All of […]

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Weights, processing pace push poultry production higher

John Perkins — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 19:39:45 +0000

U.S. poultry production was up sharply in March. The USDA says 4.652 billion pounds of poultry were certified wholesome last month, rising 10% on the year thanks to a faster processing pace and heavier weights. Chicken accounted for 4.21 billion pounds of total monthly production, 10% higher than last year, with turkey at 431.632 million […]

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Securing fuel ahead of time helps Iowa farmer manage rising costs

Brent Barnett — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 19:32:29 +0000

A southwest Iowa farmer says securing fuel early helped him avoid recent price increases. Duane Aistrope (ay-strope) tells Brownfield, “I booked my fuel for all spring needs and half my fall needs back in January. That was one of the best moves I’ve ever done because I would hate to be buying fuel for the […]

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E15 provision a priority in “skinny” farm bill, Hinson says

Brent Barnett — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 19:08:50 +0000

U.S. Congresswoman Ashley Hinson, a member of the House Rural Domestic Energy Council, says getting E15 language in the so-called “skinny” farm bill was a critical need for farmers. “It’s an incredibly anxious time for our farmers. We know the ag economy has been troubling and getting squeezed by cost pressures from all sides.” The […]

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More drones, more need for airspace awareness

Larry Lee — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 18:44:28 +0000

A recent survey shows the growing use of drones is leading to more safety concerns for aerial agriculture applicators. Andrew Moore with the National Agricultural Aviation Association tells Brownfield their data shows a growing number of close encounters with airplanes and helicopters at low altitudes. “Last year, our 2025 survey indicated that 20% of our […]

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Bacon: “plenty of work ahead” as House takes up farm bill

Kellan Heavican — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 18:06:44 +0000

A member of the House Ag Committee says there will be plenty of work to do when lawmakers take up the skinny farm bill next week. Don Bacon, a Republican from Nebraska, tells Brownfield, “I support it…I hear there are a 1,000 amendments roughly, so we will have to work our way through that.” On […]

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Nebraska leads U.S. with new farm data privacy protections

Kellan Heavican — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 18:00:15 +0000

Nebraska is the first in the nation to pass a bill that helps safeguard the privacy of ag operations. Bruce Reicker, senior director of legislative affairs for Nebraska Farm Bureau, says the first of its kind law protects the information collected by farmers and ranchers. “Nobody can use that data or sell that data without […]

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A popcorn so good it doesn’t need butter

Meghan Grebner — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 17:58:17 +0000

Through plant breeding, Dr. Anthony Studer, a crop scientist at the University of Illinois has developed a superior popcorn line. So how is that possible? Studer explains. AUDIO: Healthy Living on Illinois SuperPop

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