Farm News

Rollins says USDA continues review of program spending

Tuesday, March 18

Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins says the department continues to review all programs under the USDA’s budget. She tells Brownfield the department is intentional in its review. “True conservation programs that our farmers and ranchers have been utilizing for years and have built programs around... Read More.

WIU Ag hosts successful bull test sale

Tuesday, March 18

A healthy cattle market benefitted the recent Western Illinois University School of Agriculture’s 53rd Annual Bull Test Sale. The bulls averaged $6235, bred cows averaged $3300 and replacement heifers $2133. The top-selling bull brought $9000. WIU Ag Director Andy Baker said in a release... Read More.

Global Dairy Trade Index holds steady

Tuesday, March 18

There was no change in the Global Dairy Trade Index in Tuesday’s trading session. Price gains for butter, cheese, and whole milk powder offset losses for skim milk powder and anhydrous milk fat. The biggest gain was in the Mozzarella cheese market, where prices... Read More.

Cash cheese, butter prices keep falling

Tuesday, March 18

Cash dairy prices were mixed Tuesday as cheese values continued to fall on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Dry whey was up $0.01 at $0.46. One sale was recorded at that price. Forty-pound cheese block prices were down $0.07 at $1.5750. Two sales were recorded... Read More.

NPPC board director concerned about Prop 12, tariffs, and disease threats

Tuesday, March 18

A newly elected board member of the National Pork Producers Council says Congress needs to provide a solution for Proposition 12. John Anderson, a pork producer from Belgrade in central Minnesota, points out the House farm bill includes language that addresses California’s livestock confinement... Read More.

Tissue sampling bringing added efficiency

Tuesday, March 18

A southern Illinois farmer says in-season tissue sampling has changed his operation. “Every Monday morning, I’m walking fields, gathering those leaves and taking them to town.” Granvil Travis, who raises corn and soybeans in Massac County, says it’s a way to keep a close... Read More.

Battle to control corn rootworm

Tuesday, March 18

Corn rootworm is one of the most devastating crop pests. Syngenta U.S. insecticide technical product lead Kevin Langdon says growers have relied heavily on traits to control rootworm larvae and resistance has developed. “There are new trait technologies, which is great. But at the... Read More.

First $10 billion in ECAP funding starts Wednesday

Tuesday, March 18

The USDA is releasing the first $10 billion in Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) funds starting Wednesday. In a call with reporters Tuesday, USDA deputy undersecretary Brooke Appleton says this is part of the $30 billion in ad-hoc and disaster relief assistance authorized through the... Read More.

A seasonally active pattern to continue for some; early-Season heat to build in the Southwest

Tuesday, March 18

Looking ahead, the 6- to 10-day outlook calls for the likelihood of near- or below-normal temperatures in most areas from the Mississippi Valley eastward, while warmer-than-normal conditions will prevail across southern Florida, along the northern Atlantic Coast, and from the Pacific Coast to the... Read More.

Calmer weather (for now) across the Midwest; hazardous weather on parts of the Plains

Tuesday, March 18

Across the Corn Belt, warmth has arrived in advance of an approaching storm system. Chilly conditions linger, however, from the Dakotas into the upper Great Lakes region. Farther south, Tuesday’s maximum temperatures will top 80°F in parts of the middle Mississippi Valley. Warm weather... Read More.

Growth Energy discusses state of ethanol exports

Tuesday, March 18

The director of global policy for Growth Energy says she has high expectations for U.S. ethanol exports this year. Emily Marthaler tells Brownfield exports ended 2024 on a high note. “We saw a record export year for U.S. ethanol at almost 2 billion gallons.... Read More.

USDA to allow increased pork and poultry processor line speeds

Tuesday, March 18

The USDA is allowing pork and poultry processors to operate at increased line speeds. U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley tells Brownfield the announcement comes after trial studies determined worker safety was not being compromised for the sake of higher production. “So I think for the... Read More.