Brownfield

The USDA has announced more funding to help increase processing capacity.  Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack made the announcement during the USDA’s Ag Outlook Forum on Thursday.  Vilsack says $150 million can be used for construction, expanding current facilities, and/or equipment. “We’re looking for projects that will also benefit small-sized farming operations, looking for operations that will help new and beginning farmers (and) applications that my focus on veteran-owned farming operations.” […]

Successful navigation of carbon contracts doesn’t stop once farmers and ranchers are enrolled. In this episode, Shawntel Ervin, with Agoro Carbon Alliance talks about the role agronomist and carbon experts across the country play in grower success stories. Learn more about Agoro Carbon Alliance and their mission here. ...

Looking ahead, the 6- to 10-day outlook calls for the likelihood of near- or above-normal temperatures andnear- or below-normal precipitation across much of the country. Colder-than-normal conditions will be confined to northern New England, Wetter-than-normal weather should be limited to parts of the North, stretching from the northern Rockiesinto the upper Great Lakes region. ...

The USDA’s Farm Service Agency has extended the deadline for the Spot Market Hog Pandemic Program until April 15, 2022.  The program, which is part of the USDA’s Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative, assists hog producers who sold hogs through the spot market from April 16, 2020, through September 1, 2020.  USDA says that is the period where producers faced the greatest reduction in market prices due to the pandemic.  […]

Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says the USDA continues to monitor skyrocketing fertilizer prices. “Making sure that farmers are not being taken advantage of.” During a news conference during at the USDA’s Ag Outlook Forum, the Secretary said he was encouraged by an announcement from the Iowa Attorney General’s office that a market study has been commissioned to better understand the factors behind rising fertilizer prices. “I sincerely hope that no […]

Iowa’s attorney general is looking into the huge increase in fertilizer prices. During a call with reporters Thursday, Tom Miller said increases would be expected with the rising cost of natural gas as well as other factors. “But the question is, do those factors justify the increases?” Miller pointed out anhydrous ammonia prices are up more than 300 percent compared to last year, urea and potash are up about 215 […]

At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle closed lower, pressured by the drop in the broader market.  April live cattle closed $2.45 lower at $142.30 and June live cattle closed $2.52 lower at $138.60.  March feeder cattle closed $3.67 lower at $159.10 and April feeder cattle closed $4.47 lower at $163.80.  A light direct cash cattle trade took place on Thursday.  Deals in the South were at $142 […]

Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts has proclaimed FFA week in the state and says it’s a good opportunity to promote how programs connect students to ag-related careers.  “FFA is a great way to do that to learn those skills to get exposed to the industry and develop leadership skills along the way.” Seward FFA member Remy Christensen says she didn’t have any experience with agriculture before joining the chapter. “I have […]

Missouri Governor Parson has signed a supplemental budget bill into law that includes funds for school food programs. The bill allows for current operations of state government to continue through fiscal year 2022 and includes 219 million dollars for school food programs. ...