Brownfield Ag News

Volatile fertilizer market could change how farmers buy inputs

Kellan Heavican — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 18:34:45 +0000

An ag economist says he doesn’t expect improvement in fertilizer prices anytime soon, and it may impact how they purchase inputs for the 2027 crop. Gary Schnitkey with the University of Illinois says he doesn’t have a crystal ball, but “There could be dramatic swings between now and spring. Spreading out the input decisions just […]

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Trade mission to Asia highlights export opportunities

Kellan Heavican — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 18:29:26 +0000

Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen says work continues to improve market access in the Asia-Pacific for producers. On a call with reporters during a trade mission this week, he said Japan continues to be a reliable partner for red meat exports. “We had really important discussions about continual opportunities to grow the export markets for beef, […]

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Two decades later, western bean cutworm control is now standard across Great Lakes

Nicole Heslip — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 18:00:09 +0000

A field crops entomologist says western bean cutworm management has made significant strides since it first reached the Great Lakes region 20 years ago. Chris DiFonzo with Michigan State University tells Brownfield, “We’ve had 20 generations.” “It’s now in the background, and there are things that eat the egg masses, there are parasitoids that attack them,” […]

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Indiana farmer says wide range of crop maturity could complicate harvest windows

Erin Anderson — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 17:58:39 +0000

A west central Indiana farmer says he’s concerned widespread crop variability could impact harvest timing this fall. Kevin Cox says crop conditions differ across the state. “The early planted stuff is pollinated with ear fill, and it looks great,” he says. “We have some beautiful beans. The stuff with later planting dates, especially if the guy […]

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Grassley sees momentum in USMCA talks, welcomes Mexico trade progress

Mark Dorenkamp — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 17:35:18 +0000

U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley is encouraged by recent comments by U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer concerning the U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement. The Iowa Republican says renewing USMCA would bring stability to agriculture. “I know that renewal is up in the air, but I know there are a lot of negotiations going on right now. I […]

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Cash dairy prices were mostly down Tuesday

Erin Anderson — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 17:32:15 +0000

Cash dairy prices were mostly down Tuesday at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Dry whey was down $0.0250 to $0.6550. Four sales were reported ranging from $0.6550 to $0.6675. Forty-pound cheese blocks were down $0.04 at $1.5550. Thirteen sales were reported ranging from $1.54 to $1.5650. Cheese barrels were down $0.0525 to $1.5775. No sales were recorded. Butter was down $0.09 to $1.38. Eight sales were reported ranging from $1.38 to $1.39. Nonfat dry milk was up $0.02 to $1.42. Seventeen sales were reported ranging from $1.4150 to $1.42.

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Economist says recent cattle price declines don’t necessarily signal a long-term downturn

Meghan Grebner — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 17:28:19 +0000

An ag economist says it’s been a tough couple of months for the cattle complex. Josh Maples with Mississippi State University Extension tells Brownfield the five area price is currently about $230 per hundredweight. “This is down about 11% from a month ago,” he says. “And it’s down about 12% from the high that we saw back in mid-May when we were […]

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Midday cash livestock markets

Meghan Grebner — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 17:09:51 +0000

Direct cash cattle trade activity is starting to pick up. Bids have been floated in Kansas at $228 live and in Nebraska at $360 dressed. Asking prices remain elusive. There was a light round of business reported in Nebraska Monday at $360 dre, that’s $5 lower than the prior week’s weighted averages. They are marked […]

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New contest showcases youth interest in grazing systems

Jared White — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 16:54:32 +0000

The vice president of the Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition says a recent first-of-its-kind contest is designed to encourage more youth involvement in the world of grazing. Trevor Toland, who raises cattle in western Illinois, says teams of high school to college age students were recently tasked with designing the best regenerative grazing operation as part […]

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Hot July brings pollination concerns

Jared White — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 15:21:51 +0000

The chief atmospheric scientist with Nutrien Ag Solutions says most of the U.S. corn crop is pollinating in less-than-ideal conditions. Eric Snodgrass says much of the Corn Belt saw high heat throughout the month of July. “Did the heat during pollination do anything to cause some issues?” He says, “I’d expect to see some tip […]

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Missouri corn, soybean crop conditions improve despite late July trend

Carah Hart — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 21:02:13 +0000

The USDA shows an improvement in corn and soybean conditions in Missouri at the end of July, and Arlan Suderman with StoneX Group says it’s unusual. “We normally do trend lower in the ratings from July into roughly the middle part of August.” Suderman tells Brownfield rains might have helped improve crops in the northern […]

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Frequent rains boost Minnesota crops despite minor condition slip

Mark Dorenkamp — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 20:42:56 +0000

Crop conditions dipped a little in Minnesota over the past week. USDA’s latest weekly crop update shows 77 percent of corn and 78 percent of soybeans in good to excellent condition, still well above the respective national averages. Brownton farmer Ryan Mackenthun tells Brownfield outside of a small hail event, the growing season is going […]

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Soybeans, corn, wheat drop, taking profits

John Perkins — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 20:33:02 +0000

Soybeans were sharply lower on profit taking and technical selling. Forecasts generally have cooler weather for many key growing areas, with some better rain potential in parts of the region, as the calendar turns to August, a key month for soybean development. The USDA says 63% of U.S. beans are in good to excellent condition, […]

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Timely rains benefitting southeastern Illinois farmers

Jared White — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 20:26:50 +0000

A southeastern Illinois beef producer says adequate rains are keeping his pastures in good shape this summer. Cliff Schuette, who raises cattle in Clinton County, tells Brownfield… “We have plenty of grass at this point.” He says, “Overall, we’re above average on rainfall so when you have rainfall, cool season grasses grow pretty fast and […]

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Kansas corn hold steady, soybean ratings improve

Erin Anderson — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 20:26:44 +0000

The USDA says crop conditions held mostly steady in Kansas over the past week. According to the latest crop progress report, Kansas corn is 70 percent silking, 34 percent in the dough stage, and rated 54 percent good to excellent. Soybeans are 63 percent blooming, 39 percent setting pods, and rated 64 percent good to […]

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Cattle futures lower to start the week

Meghan Grebner — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 20:25:54 +0000

At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were mostly sharply lower following the news that the US plans to resume live cattle imports from Mexico. August live cattle closed $1.85 lower at $225.22 and October live cattle closed $3.72 lower at $218.77. August feeder cattle closed $7.07 lower at $338.25 and September feeder […]

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Dry weather worsens Michigan crop conditions as of Sunday

Nicole Heslip — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 20:25:18 +0000

A mid-Michigan farmer says he’s hopeful that storms this week will bring needed precipitation to recharge soils in his region. Gratiot County’s John Peck tells Brownfield it’s been dry for most of the month. “They had all these pocket rains, and I happened to get lucky and have a 4/10 come through since we got […]

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Corn and soybeans advance over the past week, pastures decline in Nebraska

Erin Anderson — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 20:24:18 +0000

The USDA says crop conditions continue to advance in Nebraska. According to the latest crop progress report, Nebraska corn is 79 percent silking, 18 percent in the dough stage, and rated 60 percent good to excellent. Soybeans are 85 percent blooming, 39 percent setting pods, and rated 61 percent good to excellent. Pasture and range […]

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Hot, dry stretch raising crop concerns for Wisconsin farmers

Jared White — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 20:20:46 +0000

A north central Wisconsin farmer says his crops need some rain. Adam Baumann, who raises corn, soybeans, wheat, alfalfa, ginseng, and cattle in Marathon County, tells Brownfield… “The end of June into July turned quite dry.” He says, “We are begging for some rain right now. We do have some crops all in the reproductive […]

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80% of Iowa corn, 78% of soybeans rated good to excellent

Brent Barnett — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 20:17:25 +0000

The USDA says crop conditions mostly held steady in Iowa last week. Monday’s Crop Progress report says 80% of Iowa corn is in good to excellent condition, unchanged on the week, and soybeans are rated 78%, down one percentage point. Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig tells Brownfield crop conditions have been very favorable across the […]

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