Farm News

Trump admin: year-round E15 for 8 Midwest states to move forward

Monday, February 24

The U.S. EPA says it will allow year-round E15 to be sold in eight Midwestern states starting in April. Starting April 28, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin will be allowed to sell 15% ethanol blended gasoline, a request granted... Read More.

45Z questions weighing on sustainable aviation fuel industry

Monday, February 24

The assistant director of energy with the Illinois Farm Bureau says questions surrounding the 45Z tax credit are hampering the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) industry. Noelle Neef says much of the uncertainty involves the future of the Inflation Reduction Act, which created the credits.... Read More.

Cash dairy prices down again Monday

Monday, February 24

Cash dairy prices were mostly lower again Monday on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Dry whey was down $0.01 at $0.5350. Two sales were recorded at $0.5350 and $0.54. Forty-pound cheese blocks were down $0.02 at $1.88. Three sales were recorded at that price. Cheese barrels... Read More.

Minnesota emergency response to poultry disease outbreaks

Monday, February 24

Poultry diseases are running rampant across several Midwest states. Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen says producers in his state are dealing with highly pathogenic avian influenza, H5N1, and avian Metapneumovirus. “Which has kind of been a tough go of it for our... Read More.

More than 1/4 of Brazil second-crop corn to miss “optimal planting window”

Monday, February 24

A market analyst expects more than a quarter of Brazil’s second crop corn to be planted outside its optimal window. Michael Cordonnier with Soybean and Corn Advisor tells Brownfield 25 to 30 percent of Safrinha corn is going to be planted after the end... Read More.

Export inspections below a year ago

Monday, February 24

The USDA says corn export inspections as of the week ending February 20th remain well ahead of what’s needed to meet projections for the current marketing year. The 2024/25 marketing year got underway June 1st for wheat and September 1st for corn, sorghum, and... Read More.

The future of ag lending in 2025

Monday, February 24

An ag banker says the ag economy is making the lending environment more challenging for producers. Jeff Rodibaugh with Indiana-based First Farmers Bank and Trust says it’s largely dependent on grain marketing decisions made in 2024. “Those that would have experienced the significant downturn in... Read More.

Some forage concerns heading into spring

Monday, February 24

A central Illinois beef producer says his forage levels are holding up through the winter. Doug Hanson, who’s family operation is based in Iroquois County, says 2024 was a good year for feeding cattle. “The last eight months forages have been pretty plentiful.” He... Read More.

Kansas Cattlemen CEO not too concerned about USDA layoffs at NBAF

Monday, February 24

The CEO of the Kansas Cattlemen’s Association says he doesn’t expect recent layoffs within USDA’s National Bio and Agro Defense Facility (NBAF) to disrupt day-to-day operations. Matthew Steele tells Brownfield not much has been released publicly about the layoffs. “My understanding was there were... Read More.

Marketing Soybeans in Mexico and Panama

Monday, February 24

In this Spotlight on Soybeans, Board Member Robert Alpers highlights the value of marketing missions to importing countries and talks about their most recent mission to Mexico and Panama. He emphasizes trust and product interest through face-to-face interactions and personal connections. The post Marketing... Read More.

A big change in weather: unseasonably mild air expands across the Heartland

Monday, February 24

On the Plains, dramatically warmer weather prevails. In South Dakota, Mobridge notched a daily-record high temperature of 63°F on Sunday, up from a daily-record low of -30°F just 5 days earlier, on February 18. In fact, warmer-than-normal weather prevails throughout the Plains, with Monday’s... Read More.

Milder to more seasonal days to start March; a more active pattern ahead across the Heartland

Monday, February 24

Looking ahead, the 6- to 10-day outlook calls for near- or above-normal temperatures and precipitation across most of the country. Colder-than-normal conditions will be confined to the Northeast. Meanwhile, the central and southern High Plains will have the greatest likelihood of experiencing wetter-than-normal weather. The... Read More.