Brownfield Ag News

Ag drone pilots urged to yield to manned aircraft

Larry Lee — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 18:41:18 +0000

The agriculture aviation industry is starting the 2026 growing season by urging drone pilots to yield right-of-way to manned aircraft. Jeramy Williams with Wisconsin-based American Drone tells Brownfield that airplanes, helicopters, and drones are all in the fields at the same time and at the same low altitudes, so safety is key. “Whether you have […]

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Tool helps dairy producers make heat abatement decisions

Larry Lee — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 18:40:44 +0000

An online tool from the University of Wisconsin helps farmers decide how to best keep their cows cool. Victor Cabrera with the UW Extension’s dairy department says the Heat Abatement Investment Scouter allows dairy farmers to evaluate the Return on Investment (ROI) and payback period of investing in cow cooling systems, such as fans and […]

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Illinois commodity groups alarmed over proposed wetlands legislation

Jared White — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 18:40:09 +0000

Illinois commodity groups are closely watching a bill in the General Assembly that they say would limit farmers’ ability to manage wetlands. Corey Lacey, environmental policy manager with the Illinois Soybean Association, says the proposal (HB 3596) would effectively undo the 2023 Sackett v. EPA decision that was win for agriculture. “It would expand state […]

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Ohio State dairy research shows value of monitoring body condition scores

Larry Lee — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 18:35:23 +0000

Research by Ohio State University shows the importance of tracking the body condition scores for dairy cattle. Researchers say changes in body condition throughout lactation generally follow a pattern that mirrors the lactation curve. During early lactation, cows may lose some body condition. Then, after peak milk yield, cows begin to regain condition as nutrient intake meets […]

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Winter wheat conditions continue to decline

Carah Hart — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 17:45:00 +0000

A senior market advisor with Total Farm Marketing says all eyes have been on the winter wheat crop experiencing the multi-year drought. Naomi Blohm tells Brownfield if there’s a continued decline in condition ratings for hard red winter wheat “it could potentially keep the Kansas wheat futures elevated at their current values. They’re at a […]

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U.S. rice industry wants fast Section 301 action to address unfair global trade practices

Carah Hart — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 17:03:15 +0000

The president and CEO of the USA Rice says the United States should continue to push for fair global rice trade. Peter Bachmann says a Section 301 investigation into several trading partners is one of the fastest, effective ways to accomplish that goal. “It specifically addresses the act of unfair trade practices. There’s not a […]

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Spiking fuel costs further pinching farmers

Jared White — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 16:51:42 +0000

Several Illinois farmers say rising fuel costs are squeezing already thin margins. With diesel nearly two dollars above year ago levels, southern Illinois farmer Matt Raben, who grows corn and soybeans in Gallatin County, says some are adjusting tillage practices. “A lot of guys down my way do have their fuel booked for the spring.” […]

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Cash dairy prices mixed Tuesday

Larry Lee — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 16:50:49 +0000

Cash dairy prices were mixed on Tuesday at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Dry whey was unchanged at $0.70. No sales were recorded. Forty-pound cheese blocks were up $0.0150 at $1.60. Seventeen sales were recorded, ranging from $1.5850 to $1.60. Cheese barrels remained unchanged at $1.5750. No sales were recorded. Butter was down $0.0150 at $1.72. Nine sales were recorded, ranging from $1.72 to $1.7250. Nonfat dry milk was up $0.0150 at $2.2150. No sales were recorded.

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Midday cash livestock markets

Meghan Grebner — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 16:46:59 +0000

Direct cash cattle trade activity was quiet again Tuesday. Bids and asking prices didn’t surface. Showlists this week are modestly lower in Kansas, lower in Texas, and Nebraska/Colorado. Significant trade volume will likely be delayed until late in the week. Boxed beef was sharply higher with solid demand for moderate offerings. Choice was $3.49 higher […]

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FFA membership on the rise in Iowa

Brent Barnett — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 16:19:27 +0000

The executive director of the Iowa FFA Association says student membership continues to increase across the state. “We’re trending toward another membership record this year,” Scott Johnson said. He says the organization is seeing long-term growth. “We are plus-40% on membership in the last 10 years and plus-25% in the last five.” Speaking to Brownfield […]

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From FFA roots to state leader: Minnesota state president reflects on “dream year”

Mark Dorenkamp — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 16:08:21 +0000

Born into FFA. Outgoing Minnesota FFA state president Cameron Addington calls serving the past year a dream come true. “I grew up around FFA. My mom was on state staff, so I’ve been coming to the Minnesota FFA Convention since I was about three weeks old. And getting to grow up around the state officers […]

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Agronomy specialist: Adjust nitrogen rate strategies as input costs rise

Erin Anderson — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 15:53:25 +0000

An agronomy specialist says choosing the right nitrogen application strategy could help farmers better manage rising input costs. Rachel Henry with Ohio State University Extension says the timing of fertilizer should match the crop’s needs. “Most of our nitrogen in the fall can actually be lost,” she says. “We need to make sure that we’re putting […]

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USTR’s Callahan says tariff policy delivering results for agriculture

Kellan Heavican — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 15:16:11 +0000

The Trump administration’s top ag trade official says the tariff policy has been a game changer for the industry. “The current trade policy of restoring reciprocity and balance, I don’t see it going away.” Julie Callhan, chief ag negotiator with the Office of the United States Trade Representative says the strategy has reduced the […]

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New Mid-Ozark fertilizer plant aims to improve speed, supply and costs for Missouri farmers

Carah Hart — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 15:00:00 +0000

MFA Incorporated and Black Family Enterprises have formed a joint venture called Mid-Ozark Fertilizer, LLC, to build a new dry fertilizer blending and distribution center near Lebanon, Missouri. Jason Weirich, the Chief Operations Officer with MFA, tells Brownfield the 10,000-ton facility will serve customers across south central Missouri. “We’re wanting to run a 60 to […]

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USDA breaks ground on new sterile fly as part of its New World screwworm defense strategy

Meghan Grebner — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 14:50:23 +0000

A cow/calf operator in south Texas says sterile fly production is the key in pushing back the northern movement of New World screwworm. Stephen Diebel, president of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association says the groundbreaking of the production facility at Moore Air Base in Edinburg, Texas is a major milestone. “It goes to show how these […]

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Tight seed supply

Jared White — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 14:42:35 +0000

An agronomist with Dekalb / Asgrow says farmers need to avoid having to replant corn as much as possible this year. Lance Tarochione, who covers western Illinois, tells Brownfield, “We are very tight on supply on corn this year.” He says, “If you have to replant, you’re likely not getting the same hybrid you planted […]

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Ag lobbyist: additional farmer aid likely in 2026, but not guaranteed

Carah Hart — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 13:30:00 +0000

An ag lobbyist says additional farmer ad-hoc assistance is likely, but not guaranteed. Randy Russell with the Russell Group says there’s support in the U.S. Senate for an additional $15 to $20 billion to help farmers get through tough times. “Exactly how that’s broken down, I can’t tell you. I know the specialty crop industry […]

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A pattern shift to much cooler; seasonally active, perhaps still wet for many

Greg Soulje — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 13:00:00 +0000

Looking ahead, the 6- to 10-day outlook calls for the likelihood of broadly below-normal temperatures from the Southwest to the northern and central Plains and upper Midwest, while warmer-than-normal weather will prevail in northern New England, the South, and the Pacific Northwest. Meanwhile, near- or above-normal precipitation across most of the country should contrast with […]

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Brownfield Ag Weather Today

Greg Soulje — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Lingering cool weather in the southern and eastern U.S. will be replaced by mid- to late-week warmth. Meanwhile, a slow-moving disturbance over eastern Texas will gradually weaken, although rain showers should linger in portions of the western and central Gulf Coast States through the middle of the week. Farther west, a slow-moving storm system will […]

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Advisor says understanding money can help farmers operate more without the bank

Larry Lee — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Most farmers are familiar with banks, credit unions, and the farm credit system, but financial advisor and author Mary Jo Irmen says a different tool can help farmers do more without the bank, but there’s an important first step… understanding how to use money.

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