Brownfield

A Wisconsin cranberry grower is addressing the farm labor shortage by using the fruit to teach about farming. Heidi Slinkman manages the Gaynor Cranberry Company west of Wisconsin Rapids.  She also co-founded Cranberry Learning, Inc., to educate students about cranberries and cranberry career pathways.  She tells Brownfield, “We recognize that there’s plenty of talent and […] The post Cranberry grower uses fruit to recruit appeared first on Brownfield Ag News.

Soybean planting has started in Missouri, according to University of Missouri Extension specialist Andre Reis. Missouri farmers are closely watching conditions as the 2026 planting season gets underway. Learn more from Missouri Soybeans at mosoy.org. The post Soybean Planting Update: How the Season Is Shaping Up appeared first on Brownfield Ag News.

Even amid recent geopolitical volatility, interest rates in agriculture remain relatively stable compared to a year ago. Drew Cox, vice president of commercial crop lending with FCS Financial in Higginsville, says while uncertainty has picked up in recent weeks, the broader trend shows more consistency. “We have obviously experienced some volatility with some of the […] The post FCS Financial Field Notes: Interest Rates Hold Steady appeared first on Brownfield […]

The agronomy education lead with Beck’s Hybrids says effective weed management can help control soybean cyst nematode. Matt Montgomery says more than 100 different types of weeds can host the pest. “Managing weeds matters, because it can help trim down some of the pressures from soybean cyst nematode,” he says. “Watch out and test those egg […] The post Beck’s agronomist says weed control is critical to managing SCN appeared first […]

Grain and oilseed export inspections were solid during the week ending April 16th. The USDA says corn inspections were below a year ago, but still above what’s needed to meet projections thanks to the ongoing strong global demand. Soybeans and sorghum were both larger than last year, as previous purchases by China left U.S. ports. […] The post Export inspections mostly larger than last year appeared first on Brownfield Ag […]

China’s Ag Ministry says it plans to import fewer soybeans, pork, beef and dairy products in the next decade. Naomi Blohm with Total Farm Marketing says that sends a clear message. “They don’t have to do as much negotiations potentially with the United States in the future. I think it’s a little bit of a […] The post China signals longer-term cuts to ag imports appeared first on Brownfield Ag […]

Cash dairy prices were steady-to-higher on Monday at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.      Dry whey was up $0.01 at $0.70.  No sales were recorded.  Forty-pound cheese blocks were up $0.0075 at $1.5850. Ten sales were recorded, ranging from $1.58 to $1.5850.  Cheese barrels remained unchanged at $1.5750.  No sales were recorded.  Butter was up $0.0450 at $1.7350.  Forty-nine sales were recorded, ranging from $1.69 to $1.7350.  Nonfat dry milk was unchanged at $2.20.  No sales were recorded.  The post Cash dairy prices steady-to-higher Monday appeared first on Brownfield Ag News.

An ag economist encourages farmers to be mindful of production costs amid continued market volatility. Dr. Megan Roberts with Compeer Financial says many growers are dealing with depressed commodity prices and high input costs. “As you are starting this new growing season, making sure that you really have a very keen idea of what your […] The post Farmers advised to take field-by-field approach to cost management appeared first on […]

One FFA member says the organization is helping shape his future career choice. Adam McCrea is currently studying ag systems technology at Iowa State University. He’s also winding down his term serving as Iowa FFA State Secretary. He tells Brownfield his family has always had a background in agriculture. “I didn’t grow up directly on […] The post FFA leadership opens doors to ag careers for Iowa State student appeared […]