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To everything there is a season

Commentary. That first truly hard frost in the fall that turns tomato plants in the garden black always comes too soon. As I write this column, my dining room table and kitchen counters are piled with a variety of tomatoes, peppers, rosemary, and parsley.... Read More.

Mississippi River levels continue decline at crucial time

The executive director of the Soy Transportation Coalition says a third straight fall of low water levels on the Mississippi River is dealing a blow to ag transportation at a crucial time. Mike Steenhoek tells Brownfield… “In the six-month period of time between September... Read More.

Fall drought impacting cattle producers

A beef specialist says the fall drought is impacting cattle producers. Travis Meteer, with the University of Illinois Extension, says the dry weather is taking a toll on pastures. “And so, what’s happened in most of our pastures, we’ve not had that second growth... Read More.

Braving the storm

Hurricane Helene devastated the town of Erwin, Tennessee, but twelve FFA members didn’t let that stop them from attending National FFA Convention. Erwin FFA chapter secretary Noah Canter says he wanted to experience a sense of normalcy. “Watching our town get washed away and... Read More.

Brazil rejects request to remove ethanol import tariff

The USDA says Brazil has denied requests to remove its 18% tariff on ethanol imports. In a statement, the agency said it’s the second time the Tariff Changes Committee of the Chamber of Foreign Trade (CAMEX) rejected requests to reduce the ethanol tariff since... Read More.

Wisconsin biorefinery back in operation after fire

A Wisconsin ethanol and food product producer is back in operation after a fire started in a dryer.  Aztalan Bio near Johnson Creek in Jefferson County had a short shutdown Monday morning.  The company’s Director of Investments Eric Sievers tells Brownfield the plant is... Read More.

97th Annual FFA Convention kicks off in Indianapolis

The 97th Annual National FFA Convention gets underway today and nearly 70,000 FFA members are in Indianapolis, Indiana this week to participate in competition and develop their leadership skills.  National FFA President Amara Jackson of Michigan tells Brownfield this week is an opportunity for... Read More.

Trait Your Field Right

The Channel brand will offer an extended lineup of SmartStax PRO and VT4PRO technology to fight against corn rootworm. In this Managing for Profit, Minnesota-based Channel Technical Agronomist Derek Crompton discusses how to make the best seed selections for your field. The post Trait... Read More.

New Wisconsin Corn leader looks forward to growing organization

The new Executive Director for the Wisconsin Corn Promotion Board wants to get more farmers involved in promoting corn.  Brenda Damrow Gudex was recently promoted by the board from Communications Director to lead the organization earlier this month.  She tells Brownfield expanding the markets... Read More.

Cattle futures higher ahead of On Feed report

At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were higher ahead of widespread direct business and Friday’s On Feed numbers from the USDA. December live cattle closed $1.05 higher at $188.05 and December lives closed $1.20 higher at $188.82.  November feeder cattle closed... Read More.

Soybean yields underwhelming in Minnesota

Yields seem to be generally underwhelming as the soybean harvest winds down across the Upper Midwest. University of Minnesota Extension agronomist Seth Naeve says much of the crop dealt with too much moisture in the spring and not enough moisture the rest of the... Read More.