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White mold pressure persistent in Michigan

White mold concerns are widespread among Michigan farmers. Shiawassee County’s Mark Senk tells Brownfield last year’s outbreak left a lasting impact. “We’ve had ample rain all season, at times we’re thinking we’ve had too much rain,” he says. I know last year in our...

Preparing for not-so-great corn and soy returns

A farmer’s balance sheet is expected to get tighter heading into 2025 as input prices are on the rise and commodity prices continue to decline.  Hunter Biram at the University of Arkansas tells Brownfield returns aren’t great for corn and soybeans. “I’m talking in...

DG Fuels selects Nebraska for SAF production facility

A U.S. owned sustainable aviation fuel company has selected Nebraska for its first Midwest production facility. DG Fuels announced Wednesday plans to produce 193 million gallons of zero or low carbon emissions fuel per year at a facility in Phelps County. Gov. Jim Pillen tells Brownfield it’s...

Wheat finishes mostly firm as soybeans, corn see more losses

Soybeans were modestly lower on speculative and technical selling, adding to what would have already been a bearish week. Contracts were unable to follow through on an early bounce, continuing to monitor development weather. Conditions are favorable in most of the Midwest, with a...

Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: August 9, 2024

Sep. corn closed at $3.76 and 3/4, down 2 and 1/2 centsSep. soybeans closed at $9.88 and 3/4, down 4 and 3/4 centsSep. soybean meal closed at $311.70, down $7.80Sep. soybean oil closed at 42.42, up 25 pointsSep. wheat closed at $5.42 and 1/2,...

Farm bill focus of Illinois commodity groups

Illinois commodity groups are focused on the farm bill.                Brian Duncan, president of the Illinois Farm Bureau, says the need for a new five-year farm bill has never been greater. “The need for a genuine economic backstop for agriculture.”  He says, “A need to...

Wisconsin part of FFA growth trend

As the National FFA Association tops a million members, Wisconsin is also seeing record numbers. Wisconsin FFA Executive Director and National FFA Secretary Cheryl Zimmerman tells Brownfield, “We’re over 25,000, well 25,900 plus.” And, she says more city youth are getting involved in ag...

Prices & politics highlight Ag Day discussions at Illinois State Fair

Prices and politics are highlighting discussions at the kickoff of the Illinois State Fair.                  KJ Johnson, president of the Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association, says the annual tradition of Ag Day represents an industry homecoming. “This is one of those times where we get...

Minnesota farmer calls second crop hay “awful”

It’s been a challenging hay season for some Minnesota farmers. Jake Thompson of Barnsville in northwest Minnesota says overly wet conditions continue to cause problems. “We product a lot of commercial hay that we sell to dairies, we finished up second crop and my...

What it takes to make a country cured ham

Curing food was the primary method of preserving meat and fish until the late 19th century. Ruby Schmidt, a past ham and bacon exhibitor at the Missouri State Fair, says the technique played an important role in extending food life.  “Going back to when there...

CME cash dairy mixed Friday

Cash dairy prices were mixed Friday on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.  Dry whey was down $0.01 at $0.5625.  Two sales were recorded at $0.56 and $0.5650.  Forty-pound cheese blocks were up $0.01 at $1.9575.   Nine sales were recorded, ranging from $1.95 to $1.96.  Cheese barrels...

Nebraska leaders weigh in on EPA grant to lower carbon emissions

Nebraska is receiving $307 million from the Environmental Protection Agency to tackle climate pollution. Brownfield’s Brandon Peoples has more from the Governor’s Summit on Ag and Economic Development. Andrew Dunkley, with the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) says the funding will be...