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Ethanol production hit by holiday week slowdown

U.S. ethanol production declined over the past week as some plants idled for Thanksgiving. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says production averaged 1.073 million barrels per day, down 46,000 from the prior week’s all-time high and 3,000 under a year ago. The domestic ethanol...

Robotic cover crop seeder shows promise

A digital ag specialist with the University of Illinois Extension says robotic cover crop seeders are showing promise. Dennis Bowman says the technology allows cover crops to be seeded much earlier in the season. “A lot of our cover crop seed doesn’t get put...

Farmer sentiment reaches highest levels since 2021

An ag economist says farmer concern about a potential trade war didn’t impact this month’s Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer. Jim Mintert with Purdue’s Center for Commercial Agriculture says farmer sentiment hit its highest level since 2021. “The big improvement was mostly on the...

Bednarski reflects on presidency

The President of the Michigan Farm Bureau is retiring after a decade leading the state’s largest farm organization. Carl Bednarski tells Brownfield Michigan Farm Bureau has been and will continue to be a voice for farmers in the state. “We need to send the...

Firm farmland values going into 2025

Farmland values in the Upper Midwest are generally firm going into 2025. Kasey Maypark, an appraiser for Compeer Financial, covers northwestern Wisconsin. “Cropland has stayed on the stronger side in my area, there have not been a ton of sales. I’m sure that’s pretty...

Avery tabbed as new Advanced Agrilytics CEO

The board of directors for Advanced Agrilytics has appointed Kenny Avery as the company’s new chief executive officer. In a statement, the company says Avery previously served as president and CEO of Verdesian Life Sciences where he led them in delivering sustainable crop nutrition...

John Deere cuts more workers in Waterloo

John Deere says it’s laying off more production workers at its Waterloo Operations. In a statement to Brownfield, John Deere says approximately 110 employees will be placed on indefinite layoff effective January 3rd. The company says challenging market conditions and reduced demand for equipment...

Monarch butterfly decision looming

The director of conservation for the Illinois Corn Growers Association (ICGA) says a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decision on the Endangered Species Act status of the monarch butterfly will likely have an impact on agriculture. Megan Dwyer tells Brownfield, “Fish and Wildlife is...

John Deere names Jackson Laux the first ever Chief Tractor Kid

A nine year old from South Whitley, Indiana has been named as John Deere’s Chief Tractor Kid. Joining the organization’s Chief Tractor Officer, Jackson Laux will collaborate with the brand’s social media team. Laux began posting videos on social media in November 2023 where...