Farm News

Herbicides aren’t the only way to control weeds

Thursday, September 12

A mechanical weed specialist says herbicides aren’t the only way to control weeds. Sam Oschwald Tilton says farmers need more options to increase profitability. “Organic agriculture can be extremely profitable because often we’re substituting natural systems for purchased inputs and what that means is that farmers...

Getting serious about a new farm bill

Thursday, September 12

The president of the National Farmers Union says lawmakers are getting more serious about getting a new farm bill completed this year. Rob Larew tells Brownfield high engagement with leaders and creativity is needed to get something done. “Not only getting that combination of...

Consider a defensive approach to grain marketing

Thursday, September 12

The chief commodities economist with StoneX Group says farmers should consider a defensive approach to grain marketing as commodity prices remain lower than previous years. Arlan Suderman tells Brownfield “it’s not necessarily how much we can make, but what can we do to defend...

Variable early harvest results in southern IL

Thursday, September 12

A southern Illinois agronomist says many farmers in his area remain optimistic about the crop despite seeing mixed early harvest results. John Pike, who’s based in Williamson County, tells Brownfield… “We’ve got a wide planting window which will lead to a very wide harvest...

Pork, wheat export sales up on week

Thursday, September 12

The USDA says pork export sales saw a solid improvement during the week ending September 5th. That week-to-week jump in pork export sales was led by better demand from several key customers including Mexico, Japan, and Colombia. Wheat, rice, and new crop sorghum were...

CONAB confirms smaller corn, soybean crops

Thursday, September 12

Brazil’s equivalent of the USDA confirmed lower corn and soybean production in 2024. CONAB says corn and soybeans in Brazil were impacted by weather issues from planting, through development, into harvest, lowering yields, but total grain and oilseed production was still the second largest...

Food safety, innovation key to growing meat export markets

Thursday, September 12

Global interest continues to grow for U.S. meat exports. A seminar hosted by the U.S. Meat Export Federation at the University of Nebraska in August explored food safety, innovation and expansion opportunities for U.S. meat. This week’s episode touches on how research is advancing...

Safe harvest

Wednesday, September 11

Commentary Harvest is underway in my neck of the woods. Before long combines, grain carts and trucks will be rolling dusk to dawn and beyond. Everyone says there’s a big crop out there, commodity prices are down, and farmers are itching to get their...

Cattle futures up at midweek

Wednesday, September 11

At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were up, waiting on the week’s direct business. October live cattle closed $.62 higher at $176.95, and December live cattle closed $.80 higher at $177.22. October feeder cattle closed $2.10 higher at $237.50 and November...

Analyst expects yield changes in Sept. USDA report

Wednesday, September 11

Updated yield forecasts for new crop corn and soybeans are expected in the September USDA report and the chief commodities economist with StoneX Group says “big crops are definitely looking to be the story this year.” Pre-report yield estimates for corn are between 182...

Soybeans, corn, wheat up ahead of USDA update

Wednesday, September 11

Soybeans were higher on short covering and technical buying. The trade expects the USDA to raise its yield guess slightly in Thursday’s supply, demand, and production report. That estimate change further once harvest starts, but for now, analysts expect a record crop. The USDA’s...

Spotted lanternfly spreads to Wayne County

Wednesday, September 11

New spotted lanternfly infestations have been found in Southeast Michigan. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development says an extensive survey across 20 counties has found additional populations of the pest in Monroe, Wayne, and Oakland counties. It was also the first time...