Brownfield Ag News – Ad Astra Radio | Your Hometown Radio Stations & Local News Source

An early spring in northern South Dakota

Friday, April 4

A recent snowstorm has delayed fieldwork and small grains planting in northeast South Dakota. Market analyst and farmer DuWayne Bosse tells Brownfield… “We had some small grains get planted, but a very small percentage. Everyone was just getting ready to go,” he says. “Once... Read More.

Ag economist encourages farmers to “control the controllables”

Friday, April 4

An ag economist who farms in southern Minnesota encourages farmers to control the controllables in the face of tight margins. Megan Roberts works for Compeer Financial and says there’s a lot of uncertainty right now. “And we don’t have a lot of control over... Read More.

ARC, PLC, ECAP signups going strong

Friday, April 4

A Farm Service Agency official says farmers are actively signing up for crop insurance and economic relief. Wisconsin FSA’s Deputy Executive Director Tyler Radke tells Brownfield they’ve had a steady flow of farmers signing up for Ag Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage. “Wisconsin... Read More.

A bullish outlook for U.S. ethanol

Friday, April 4

The CEO of Missouri Corn says he’s optimistic in the growth potential for U.S. ethanol. Starting in May, Missouri will be allowed to sell 15 percent blended ethanol year-round and Bradley Schad tells Brownfield… “We’re glad we’ve got the president and governor’s ear to... Read More.

Growth continues for South Dakota FFA

Friday, April 4

The president of the South Dakota FFA Association says the student-led ag organization continues to grow. Maya Howard from Hand County attributes the growth to the impactful leadership and career development opportunities FFA provides. “We have about 6,500 members in South Dakota and a... Read More.

U.S. cotton prices feel impacts of trade war

Friday, April 4

The vice president of economics and policy analysis at the National Cotton Council says cotton prices are responding lower to trade retaliation from China. “In just the last few days, cotton prices have dropped from about 68 cents to 63 cents on the May... Read More.

Trade war doesn’t help commodity price outlook

Friday, April 4

The director of the MU Food and Ag Policy Research Institute says a trade war won’t help the commodity price outlook. Pat Westhoff tells Brownfield commodity prices were expected to move lower even before China’s recent retaliation against U.S. products. “It’s probably not a... Read More.

Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: April 4, 2025

Friday, April 4

May corn closed at $4.60 and 1/4, up 2 and 3/4 centsMay soybeans closed at $9.77, down 34 and 1/2 centsMay soybean meal closed at $283.10, down $4.90May soybean oil closed at 45.84, down 1.22 pointsMay wheat closed at $5.29, down 7 centsJun. live... Read More.

Soybeans tumble following retaliatory tariff announcement

Friday, April 4

Soybeans closed sharply lower as the market was under significant pressure following China’s announcement of retaliatory tariffs. May contracts closed 34 and 1/2 cents lower at $9.77. Like many of the commodities, the immediate impacts will be unknown, but there are concerns that a... Read More.

Not a time to speculate when it comes to retaliatory tariffs

Friday, April 4

The president and CEO of the US Meat Export Federation says the biggest area of concern for the announced tariffs are in Asia. Dan Halstrom says Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan are at the top of the list. “These are very high value markets... Read More.

Cattle, hog futures drop amid tariff concerns

Friday, April 4

At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were sharply lower as the market grapples with demand uncertainty following retaliatory tariff announcements from China. June live cattle closed $6.50 lower at $198.20 and August lives closed $6.47 lower at $194.70. May feeder cattle... Read More.

New HPAI case confirmed in Wisconsin

Friday, April 4

Wisconsin has its first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza for 2025. The Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection says a commercial poultry farm in Sheboygan County has been affected by the virus. Forty-thousand egg laying chickens with the H5N1 virus will be... Read More.