Brownfield

Colombia recently resumed imports of U.S. poultry products following joint efforts by the USDA and U.S. Trade Representative. On June 1, Colombia’s Ministry of Agriculture instructed all ports to deny import permits of these products on concerns of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. The temporary ban cost the U.S. nearly $1.1 million in export value between June 3 and June 8. Colombia is the 10th largest export market for U.S. poultry […]

A Wisconsin state senator says the state budget bill now awaiting the Governor’s signature has funding important to agriculture and rural communities. Republican Patrick Testin from Stevens Point tells Brownfield this budget funds the new 150-million-dollar Agricultural Roads Improvement Act signed by Governor Tony Evers last week and more. “On top of that, there was an additional 100-million-dollars invested into the L-RIP Supplemental Program, the Local Road Improvement Program which […]

The U.S. Meat Export Federation says the recently announced grace period to fully implement Proposition 12 in California provides certainty for producers. The California Department of Food and Agriculture announced last week that pork produced before July 1 could be sold until December 31. Erin Borror, the vice president of economic analysis with USMEF, tells Brownfield the change offers much needed relief for producers. “It is good news because there […]

Strong storms moved through the Midwest on Thursday bringing strong winds and rain. Based in St. Louis, National Weather Service Meteorologist Patrick Walsh says northeast Missouri had up to 3 inches of rain with widespread 1-inch rains north of I-70 across Missouri and into Illinois. He says there was some storm damage from high winds, that reached up to 80 miles per hour. “We didn’t see much hail. There were […]

At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were higher watching corn and the direct markets.  August live cattle closed $.62 higher at $174.50 and October lives closed $.65 higher at $177.67.  August feeder cattle closed $2.12 higher at $242.37 and September feeders closed $2.07 higher at $245.80.  Another light round of direct cash cattle business developed on Thursday.  Deals in parts of Nebraska were at $182 live, about […]

A southeast Nebraska farmer says farmland prices are showing no signs of slowing down. Logan Bredemeier helps raise corn, soybeans, alfalfa and Angus cattle near Stella. “There’s maybe not as much turnover as there last year up to this point, but values are still holding strong.” He tells Brownfield he purchased some land in 2022, but, “It’s going to be a long while before I really feel comfortable enough to […]

Michigan livestock representatives say the proposed state beef checkoff could be simplified. During the first of three listening sessions, participants Thursday discussed concerns about the proposed rate of 10 cents for every $100 of gross value, capped at a dollar. Jimmy Lambert with Superior Livestock Auction says marketers aren’t opposed to a state checkoff but don’t want to see it collected on a percentage basis. “There is not one of […]

USDA’s latest investment to increase independent meat and poultry processing capacity will impact 17 states including Brownfield states Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says 15 grants totaling $115 million are being awarded to help bolster markets for small and mid-sized farms. “The notion of getting big or getting out just runs counter I think to the heritage of American agriculture.” Vilsack announced […]

An extension specialist says drought conditions could create weed control challenges throughout the growing season. Aaron Hager with the University of Illinois tells Brownfield pre-emergence herbicides have been less effective this year because there hasn’t been enough rain. He says that could create additional challenges later in the growing season. “It could put a lot of pressure on the post-emergence herbicides, simply because of the much denser weed spectrum. It […]