Farm News

February cattle placements drop on the year

Friday, March 21

The USDA says the placements of cattle into U.S. feedlots fell sharply in February. 1.554 million cattle were placed onto feed in February, a drop of 18% on the year. That was despite the U.S. reopening the border to imports of live cattle from... Read More.

IL ag director sees unprecedented instability

Friday, March 21

The director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture says the Trump administration’s actions of cutting and freezing appropriated funds are hurting the state’s leading industry. Jerry Costello told a recent Congressional roundtable, “The instability that the Trump administration has caused in agriculture in literally... Read More.

Managing nitrogen with irrigation

Friday, March 21

An irrigation specialist is hearing farmer concerns about nutrient management ahead of the growing season. Mike Kilmer with Apple Irrigation says there’s a common theme among growers he works with. “The biggest concern that growers have right now is getting their nitrogen applied in... Read More.

Forecasting tool helps decide when to spread manure

Friday, March 21

There is an online tool Wisconsin farmers can use to help decide when to spread manure. Andrea Topper with Wisconsin’s Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection tells Brownfield knowing when to spread to avoid having nutrients runoff into ditches and waterways is important... Read More.

Demand for U.S. pork benefits from a fair trade environment

Friday, March 21

The National Pork Producers Council says tariffs can slow demand for U.S. pork on the global market. Maria Zieba, vice president of government affairs with NPPC, says that when tariffs aren’t an issue, customers prefer U.S. pork. “Not only is it because it’s healthy... Read More.

Ohio leaders pushing E-15 expansion

Friday, March 21

The executive director of Ohio Corn and Wheat says E-15 remains a critical component of profitability. Tadd Nicholson tells Brownfield, “The farm economy is really low right now and farmers are concerned. They’re looking at the books coming into this crop that they’re about... Read More.

Corn growers take tariff message to D.C.

Friday, March 21

The vice president of the Illinois Corn Growers Association says numerous Midwestern corn farmers recently took their message to Washington, D.C. “Trade and tariffs came up continuously.” Mark Bunselmeyer, who farms in Macon County, says much of the discussion centered on the lower corn... Read More.

Cash dairy prices end week mixed

Friday, March 21

Cash dairy prices were mixed Friday on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Dry whey was up $0.02 at $0.50. Two sales were recorded at $0.49 and $0.50. Forty-pound cheese blocks were down $0.0175 at $1.6025, more than wiping out Thursday’s gains. Nine sales were recorded,... Read More.

A cautiously optimistic trade outlook for the pork industry

Friday, March 21

An Indiana pork producer says maintaining stable trade relationships is critical for the success of the U.S. pork industry. Jackie Ponder says she’s cautiously optimistic the Trump administration’s trade plan will benefit producers. “We don’t feel we’re on solid ground yet because we’re not really... Read More.

Seed supply concerns in Upper Midwest

Friday, March 21

Seed supply shortages could cause problems for some farmers this spring. Flooding early last spring devastated parts of southern Minnesota and northern Iowa and Casey Staloch with Albert Lea Seed Company says seed production suffered. “Just because we had too much water early and... Read More.

Short planting windows likely for some

Friday, March 21

The chief science fellow with Nutrien Ag Solutions says many farmers will have short planting windows this spring. Eric Snodgrass says forecasts are calling for an active weather pattern in the eastern Corn Belt. “East of the Mississippi, we are likely going to be... Read More.

IALF welcomes new CEO

Friday, March 21

The Illinois Agricultural Leadership Foundation (IALF) has announced new leadership. Dr. Amanda Martin has been appointed as the organization’s new chief executive officer effective April 14, 2025. She most recently served as senior director of external relations at Farm Foundation. In a release, IALF... Read More.