Brownfield

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A new report by CoBank explores how global food consumption changes brought on by the pandemic will support added demand for whey products. Ag economist Tanner Ehmke with CoBank tells Brownfield the adoption of healthier habits by consumers to help combat COVID-19 are now entering their second year and more likely to become a long-lasting lifestyle shift. “The global consumer has fundamentally altered how they’ve chosen to eat and there’s […]

U.S. ethanol production and stocks both moved lower last week. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says production averaged 997,000 barrels a day, a decrease of 27,000 on the week, but an increase of 148,000 on the year. Iowa State University’s Center for Agricultural and Rural Development says ethanol margins for most producers firmed up last week and the USDA says Midwest cash ethanol prices were higher. The Renewable Fuels Association […]

A dairy trade policy specialist says President Biden outlining plans to crack down on shipping issues in his State of the Union address will greatly benefit the flow of ag exports. Shawna Morris with the U.S. Dairy Export Federation and National Milk Producers Federation tells Brownfield there have long been antitrust exemptions for shipping carrier companies and Biden’s support will hopefully encourage legislative reform. “The Ocean Shipping Reform Act is […]

The benefits of calving under roof are being highlighted at a conference in southern Iowa hosted by the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers.  CSIF director Brian Waddingham says there are several economic considerations to calving, backgrounding, and finishing cattle under roof. “With the cost of pasture ground to buy increasing, with the rent costs going up, these barns are starting to make a lot more sense even down in what […]

Governor Gretchen Whitmer is proclaiming March as Food and Agriculture Month in Michigan.  Whitmer says Michigan’s food and agriculture industry is a national powerhouse and is responsible for 805,000 jobs, generating more than $104 billion annually to the state’s economy.  She has also earmarked $1 million for a Buy Michigan Campaign in her budget proposal to create a buy local marketing campaign for Michigan grown and raised products. The Michigan […]

The manager of an Illinois grain elevator says logistics are his top concern heading into the 2022 season. Derrick Bruhn is with Topflight Grain Cooperative which has 14 locations in central Illinois. He tells Brownfield the rail and trucking sectors are struggling with labor shortages which could cause backlogs during their busy season. “We always say we are all about trying to make the most money, but anymore it is […]

Ag groups have mixed reactions to President Biden’s State of the Union address on Tuesday. National Association of Wheat Growers CEO Chandler Goule tells Brownfield following the speech, he’s concerned about geopolitical stability and volatility in the markets with the Russia/Ukraine conflict. “U.S wheat growers are going to be impacted by the invasion,” he says. “I was thankful to hear the President and to see both Republicans and Democrats standing […]

One third of farmers are planning to lower nitrogen application rates this growing season, according to the latest Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer. Jim Mintert is the director of the Purdue Center for Commercial Agriculture. “I think it’s interesting to think that many people are thinking about cutting rates,” he says. “For a lot of folks, that final decision for rates is going to be made when they’re putting […]