Brownfield Ag News

Positive outlook for pork industry, despite challenges

Jared White — Fri, 08 May 2026 14:42:25 +0000

The president of the Illinois Pork Producers Association says morale is high in the industry despite some challenges this spring. Katie Brown, who’s a 5th generation hog farmer in Christian County, tells Brownfield, “Our number one issue that we’re seeing is some disease pressure with PRRS or porcine respiratory virus. So, we’re trying to make […]

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Brownfield Ag Weather Today

Greg Soulje — Fri, 08 May 2026 11:00:00 +0000

Areas east of the Rockies will emerge from a late-season cool spell, except across the nation’s northern tier. Meanwhile, an early-season hot spell will continue across the West, with heat arriving on the Plains early next week. By Tuesday, May 12, high temperatures will approach or reach 100°F on the southern High Plains. During the […]

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Much warmer days ahead; rains to return to the Heartland, centered on the southern Plains

Greg Soulje — Fri, 08 May 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Looking ahead, the 6- to 10-day outlook calls for the likelihood of near- or below-normal temperatures in much of the eastern U.S., while warmer-than-normal weather will prevail from the Pacific Coast to the Plains, as well as the middle and upper Mississippi Valley. Meanwhile, below-normal precipitation in parts of the interior Southeast and from the […]

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Farmer hopes for important updates in USMCA review

Larry Lee — Thu, 07 May 2026 20:56:55 +0000

A Wisconsin dairy farmer is hoping this summer’s review of the USMCA trade deal will take care of the loopholes that allow unintended trade problems. Amber Horn-Leiterman tells Brownfield that USMCA is, overall, a good deal, and Canada and Mexico account for 40% of U.S. exports, but there is a glaring violation in dairy trade […]

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Craig: farm bill coalition at risk

Carah Hart — Thu, 07 May 2026 20:42:19 +0000

The ranking member of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee says the damage to the farm bill coalition in Congress could have lasting impacts on future farm bills. Angie Craig says separating parts of a five-year, 12-title farm bill, and using reconciliation to reduce spending for key programs was the wrong approach. “It really sets a […]

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Soybeans, corn down, but above day’s lows, watching weather, crude oil

John Perkins — Thu, 07 May 2026 20:30:31 +0000

Soybeans were modestly lower on fund and technical selling. Old crop export sales were a marketing year low at 5.2 million bushels and the trade’s waiting to see what happens next week in China. China was the top purchaser of old crop last week, but it was a minimal purchase as Beijing continues to focus […]

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Cattle futures under pressure as boxed beef drops

Meghan Grebner — Thu, 07 May 2026 20:20:55 +0000

At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were pressured by technical selling and the sharply lower move in boxed beef. June live cattle closed $3.42 lower at $250.05 and August live cattle closed $3.00 lower at $245.90. August feeder cattle closed $6.87 lower at $366.17 and September feeder cattle closed $6.65 lower at […]

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Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: May 7, 2026

John Perkins — Thu, 07 May 2026 20:12:17 +0000

Jul. corn $4.67 and 1/2, down 1 centJul. soybeans $11.92 and 1/4, down 2 and 1/2 centsJul. soybean meal $318.90, up $1.60Jul. soybean oil 74.15, down 87 pointsJul. Chicago wheat $6.12 and 1/4, down 5 centsJun. live cattle $250.05, down $3.42Aug. feeder cattle $366.17, down $6.87Jun. lean hogs $99.37, down 32 centsJun. Class III milk […]

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Iowa grower counts cost of hauling corn amid diesel increase

Mark Dorenkamp — Thu, 07 May 2026 20:11:18 +0000

Escalating fuel prices are being felt on farms across the U.S. North Iowa farmer Casey Schlichting says the cost of hauling corn is going up. “$4.25, $4.35 corn and you put $375 in the semi to get that done. That was a little disheartening.” The national average diesel price has risen around $1 per gallon […]

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DOJ settles lawsuit against Agri Stats

Kellan Heavican — Thu, 07 May 2026 20:03:47 +0000

The Department of Justice has settled their civil lawsuit against data company Agri Stats for potential anticompetitive practices in the meat industry. In a social media post on Thursday, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche says the agreement will make the company’s pricing reports available to all buyers and sellers and levels the playing field for […]

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Increased interest in global flavors drives demand for ground pork

Meghan Grebner — Thu, 07 May 2026 20:03:00 +0000

The National Pork Board says growing demand for ground pork provides opportunities for the industry. Sarah Showalter, director of consumer and business insights says pork is a versatile protein that delivers on convenience, flavor, and nutrition. “We saw that it was relevant across generations, but we found it was especially strong for younger consumers, our Gen Z and millennials,” she […]

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Illinois ag groups relieved spray notification bill stalls

Jared White — Thu, 07 May 2026 20:00:55 +0000

Several Illinois ag groups are relieved that legislation calling for more than 24 hours notification before applying some agricultural chemicals has stalled in the General Assembly. Corey Lacey, environmental policy manager with the Illinois Soybean Association, tells Brownfield, “It said that any time a pesticide application happened within 1,500 feet of a school, or park […]

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Ag Committee member pleased with House farm bill

Larry Lee — Thu, 07 May 2026 20:00:34 +0000

A House Ag Committee member says he’s pleased with its version of the farm bill. Wisconsin’s 8th District Republican Tony Weid says, “I feel like we are actually putting the farm back in the farm bill.” Weid tells Brownfield the House bill contains two important food security provisions helping SNAP recipients. “I was able to add an amendment that […]

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Drought impacting nearly three-quarters of U.S. cattle herd

Kellan Heavican — Thu, 07 May 2026 19:40:32 +0000

The latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows nearly three-quarters of the U.S. cattle herd is being impacted by significant drought conditions. Craig Uden, president of the Nebraska Cattlemen, says the lack of moisture is putting significant pressure on producers in his state. “We might have 1,000,000 cows that would be challenged as far as how they’re […]

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Keystone Cooperative announces 2026 SEED Professionals class

Erin Anderson — Thu, 07 May 2026 18:37:50 +0000

An Indiana-based cooperative program is helping recent high school graduates find careers in agriculture. Eight students from across the state will be joining Keystone’s Securing Experience and Employee Development (SEED) Class of 2026. The one-year, full-time developmental program is designed for young professionals to learn about Keystone’s business units, which include Grain, Energy, Agronomy, and Swine and Animal Nutrition. More […]

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Agriculture still digesting draft EPA fungicide strategy

Carah Hart — Thu, 07 May 2026 18:12:53 +0000

The U.S. agriculture industry is still digesting the details of the EPA’s recently released draft fungicide strategy. Richard Gupton with the Ag Retailers Association tells Brownfield the strategy, which is 163 pages long, appears to align with EPA’s broader efforts on pesticide regulations related to the Endangered Species Act. “There doesn’t seem to be a lot of […]

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Fate of Missouri Alpha-Gal Syndrome tracking bill unclear in final days of session

Carah Hart — Thu, 07 May 2026 17:51:04 +0000

In the Missouri Legislature’s final days of session, a southern Missouri lawmaker says it’s unclear whether a bill that would track Alpha-Gal Syndrome (AGS) cases in Missouri will cross the finish line. State Representative Matthew Overcast from House District 155 is the sponsor of House Bill 1855. “It basically requires labs report to the Department […]

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Soybean, rice export sales drop to marketing year lows

John Perkins — Thu, 07 May 2026 17:27:05 +0000

Soybean export sales fell to a marketing year low during the week ending April 30th. The USDA says old crop soybean sales were below average and while China was the leading buyer, it was a routine amount, as Beijing continues to favor beans from Brazil due to price. The U.S. and China are expected to […]

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Many farmers focused on cutting costs, finding revenue

Jared White — Thu, 07 May 2026 17:13:24 +0000

A west central Indiana farmer says another year of lower farm incomes has led to changes in his operation. Jason Brier, who grows corn and soybeans and does custom work in Warren and Fountain Counties, tells Brownfield, “We kind of rolled back on some fertilizer.” He says, “Our fertility levels are very, very high, so […]

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Cash dairy prices mostly lower Thursday

Larry Lee — Thu, 07 May 2026 17:05:10 +0000

Cash dairy prices were lower on Thursday except for nonfat dry milk at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Dry whey was down $0.0050 at $0.6950. No sales were recorded. Forty-pound cheese blocks were down $0.03 at $1.63. Four sales were recorded, ranging from $1.5950 to $1.63. Cheese barrels were down $0.0150 at $1.60. No sales were recorded. Butter was down $0.01 at $1.63. No sales were recorded. Nonfat dry milk was up $0.0025 at $2.2950. One sale was recorded at that price.

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