Brownfield Ag News

Purdue University Extension research focused on improving profitability for hemp growers

Erin Anderson — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 20:46:20 +0000

New research from Purdue University could help hemp growers lower input costs and improve overall profitability. Extension specialist Margurite Bolt says ongoing field trials are testing how different genetics can improve yield. “We’re finding that we don’t need a lot of nitrogen in particular to get a really healthy crop with a lot of biomass,” […]

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The cost of banning glyphosate

Jared White — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 20:44:11 +0000

A professor of weed science at the University of Illinois says a new analysis finds the economic cost of a glyphosate ban would be monumental. Aaron Hager says the research done in conjunction with the Illinois Soybean Association shows Illinois farmers alone would lose up to $600 million every year. “What would be the […]

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Soybeans, corn mixed, still watching weather

John Perkins — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 20:43:56 +0000

Soybeans were mixed, mostly modestly higher. Forecasts have a return to hotter, drier conditions in some key growing areas starting late this weekend. Still, parts of the region do have better chances for rain than other areas, which could lessen some of the heat impact. Unknown destinations bought 126,000 tons of new crop U.S. beans […]

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NMPF seeking input on FARM Program Version 2028 updates

Erin Anderson — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 20:42:19 +0000

The National Milk Producers Federation is looking at ways to help producers improve their dairy management practices. Dr. Meggan Hain says updates to the National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management Program are focused on improving industry standards for animal care and workforce development. “With the diversity of the program, we need to find that best fit […]

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Growers say cheap asparagus imports muted this season’s market potential

Nicole Heslip — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 20:41:28 +0000

The chair of the Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board Chair says rising imports continue to threaten what little American production is left. “Having to deal with imports coming in just totally wreck their industry.” Sarah Greiner and her husband Todd have been growing asparagus for more than three decades in the nation’s largest producing region along Michigan’s […]

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Soil cracks highlight worsening drought in some Kansas fields

Kellan Heavican — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 20:40:53 +0000

North-central Kansas farmer Brett Grauerholz says ongoing drought is stressing his corn and soybean crops. “Luckily with some irrigation in the area, we’ve been able to keep it going and keep reproductive stages going since we’re starting to hit that in the soybeans are in that in the corn.” He says it’s been nearly […]

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Heat wave puts Midwest crop conditions to the test

Kellan Heavican — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 20:31:24 +0000

An ag meteorologist says he’s closely watching how another heat wave could impact crop conditions in parts of the Midwest. Brian Fuchs with the National Drought Mitigation Center says there’s been adequate precipitation, but the situation could change quickly. “It’s really going to attack some of those areas that even though they may not […]

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Senate Finance Committee questions USTR Greer over ag exports, tariffs

Brent Barnett — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 19:37:11 +0000

Senate lawmakers questioned U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer about agricultural exports on Wednesday. During a hearing, Greer said President Trump’s trade agenda is working for farmers and ranchers. “For starters, the United States currently has 19 framework or reciprocal trade deals covering 32% of global gross domestic product,” Greer said. Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo […]

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Cash dairy prices mostly down Thursday at CME

Erin Anderson — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 17:22:01 +0000

Cash dairy prices were mostly down Thursday at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Dry whey was down $0.01 to $0.69. One sale was reported at that price. Forty-pound cheese blocks were unchanged at $1.67. Five sales were recorded ranging from $1.6675 to $1.68. Cheese barrels were up $0.0025 $1.63. No sales were recorded. Butter was down $0.03 to $1.51. Sixteen sales were reported ranging from $1.50 to $1.51. Nonfat dry milk was down $0.01 to $1.40. Nine sales were reported ranging from $1.40 to $1.4125.

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Midday cash livestock markets

Meghan Grebner — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 17:06:50 +0000

There’s another light round of direct cash cattle trade underway. Live deals are at $230 in the South. This follows the light round of business on Wednesday at $365 dressed, which was $12 to $15 below the prior week’s weighted average basis. Look for more business to develop over the balance of the week. Boxed […]

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Black Sea conflict fuels wheat rally

Brent Barnett — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 16:34:10 +0000

A market analyst says wheat futures have been rallying this month. Jim McCormick with AgMarket.Net says the surge has primarily been driven by escalating geopolitical conflicts in the Black Sea Region. “The world, I believe, is getting very nervous about getting wheat out of Russia and potentially out of Ukraine as the war in that […]

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White mold threat looms as soybean canopies close

Mark Dorenkamp — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 16:16:59 +0000

White mold is a soybean disease that an agronomist warns could become a problem in the coming weeks. Corey Klaphake with CHS says it favors cool, wet conditions after plant canopy. “And there’s not as much air movement through there. That’s when white mold is going to take off, especially if you have a good […]

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Soybean yield potential hinges on August weather

Kellan Heavican — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 15:24:52 +0000

An agronomist in southeast Nebraska says timely rains have kept the area’s soybean crop on track. But, Chris Langemeier with Hogemeyer Hybrids, says the make-or-break part of the growing season is right around the corner. “We’re going to need some moisture in August to finish the bean crop out, but I think we have a […]

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AFBF: Farm losses projected to deepen

Brent Barnett — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 15:08:11 +0000

The American Farm Bureau Federation says the financial pressure on U.S. crop producers is expected to intensify. John Newton, vice president of public policy, says AFBF is projecting more than $32 billion in losses for major row crops in 2027. “We’ve seen historic inflation across the farm economy going back to 2021,” he said. “This […]

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Tick populations booming, prevention paramount

Jared White — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 14:00:02 +0000

An educator with the University of Illinois Extension says tick prevention should be top of mind for all agricultural workers. Dr. Teresa Steckler tells Brownfield unseasonably warm weather early this spring gave the ticks a head start. “What we’re seeing is definitely an increase in tick population and that the different species of ticks are […]

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Marketing grain during rallies

Brent Barnett — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Grain markets have seen some strong rallies this summer, creating opportunities for producers to make sales. But marketing grain takes planning and discipline. On this episode, we’ll discuss strategies for marketing during rallies and how farmers can find the right grain marketing professional.

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Mexico ends pseudorabies-related limits on U.S. pork

Mark Dorenkamp — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 20:43:08 +0000

Mexico recently lifted import restrictions on certain U.S. pork products stemming from a pseudorabies outbreak earlier this year. Erin Borror with the U.S. Meat Export Federation says Mexico had imposed precautionary measures following the detection of the disease in Iowa at the end of April. “Mexico imposed restrictions, and those, thank God, were finally lifted […]

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Weather, demand support wheat, soybeans, corn

John Perkins — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 20:42:12 +0000

Soybeans were higher on fund and technical buying. Most forecasts have a return to hot temperatures in much of the region, potentially stressing the developing crop. The trade’s also watching for any signs of new demand from China ahead of the USDA’s weekly U.S. sales numbers out Thursday morning. A potential hit to yield and […]

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Cattle futures remain under pressure

Meghan Grebner — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 20:37:49 +0000

At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were pressured by the slower beef demand, ahead of direct trade and Friday’s USDA reports. August live cattle closed $3.47 lower at $223.20 and October live cattle closed $4.02 lower at $219.20. August feeder cattle closed $8.37 lower at $341.17 and September feeder cattle closed $8.77 […]

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New Star of the West food-grade corn mill will become first in Michigan

Nicole Heslip — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 20:27:09 +0000

Star of the West Milling Company says transitioning its facility near the Michigan, Indiana, Ohio border will provide corn farmers with more marketing opportunities. Flour Milling Division Executive Vice President Karina Spencer tells Brownfield the $79 million project brings new life to their 160-year-old mill in Quincy. “At that site, we have a significant amount […]

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