Brownfield

Nebraska lawmakers have advanced a bill that they say could modernize the state’s long-standing brand law. Senator Mike Jacobsen of North Platte says the legislation is not perfect but strikes a compromise on ownership verification for cow/calf operators and feedlots. “It ensures that the expectations are clear for producers and the brand committee particularly when […] The post Brand law reform clears key hurdle in Nebraska Legislature appeared first on […]

An agricultural economist with the University of Illinois says the USDA’s Prospective Plantings Report showed an expected increase in farmers’ intentions to plant soybeans this year. Joe Janzen says the largest gains are in the western Corn Belt. “There maybe a few more soybean acres coming into production in places like South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, […] The post Prospective Plantings Report shows soybeans gaining acres in the West appeared first […]

2026 U.S. broiler hatchery numbers remain on pace to top 2025, implying a larger U.S. flock and increased meat availability. The USDA says 254.778 million broiler-type eggs were set into incubators last week, while 195.791 million broiler-type chicks were placed into meat production, both down on the week, but up 2% on the year. Those […] The post Another year-over-year gain for broiler sets, placements appeared first on Brownfield Ag […]

February soybean crush and corn for ethanol numbers were mixed while still reflecting solid demand. The USDA says the corn grind and soybean crush both declined from January due to fewer business days and weather issues but were up from February 2025 on those demand expectations for feed, food, and fuel usage. 425 million bushels […] The post February corn for ethanol, soybean crush numbers above a year ago appeared […]

May corn $4.54 and 1/4, down 3 and 1/2 centsMay soybeans $11.68 and 1/2, down 1 and 1/2 centsMay soybean meal $318.20, up $1.80May soybean oil 67.11, down 177 pointsMay Chicago wheat $5.97 and 1/2, down 18 and 3/4 centsJun. live cattle $244.35, up $1.07May feeder cattle $368.00, up $1.52Jun. lean hogs $105.17, up 12 […] The post Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: April 1, 2026 appeared first on Brownfield […]

An Ohio-based field agronomist says early-season crop management could help farmers maximize profitability in 2026. Matt Hutcheson with Seed Consultants says ground conditions are slowly improving.  “We want to make sure the soil temperatures are adequate and making sure the ground is not too wet or marginal if we do any kind of field work […] The post Ohio agronomist says early-season management could help drive 2026 crop returns appeared […]

BASF has launched a new platform designed to help farmers, agronomists, and ethanol producers better manage carbon intensity scores tied to the Section 45Z Clean Fuel Production Tax Credit. BASF’s Sustainability Market Development Manager Chad Asmus says Circalo: Low Carbon Intensity Crops helps transform on-farm data into verifiable inputs that can be used by biorefineries […] The post BASF unveils ‘Circalo’ platform to connect farm data to low-carbon fuel markets […]

The state climatologist with University of Missouri Extension says recent, widespread rains will help improve drought conditions, but it won’t be enough for all areas of Missouri to recover. Zach Leasor tells Brownfield “We probably need more than this week and a wet April to really remove the drought.” Leasor says the forecast includes a […] The post MO state climatologist: recent rains help drought, but more needed for full […]

A Hancock County, Indiana farmer is working with veterans across the state to help them find careers in agriculture. Retired Army colonel Joe Ricker tells Brownfield, “A lot of the aspects of farming are the same as they are in the military, such as safety, do I buy this, do I need to spend this money. […] The post Veterans IN Farming: Indiana program connecting service members to careers in ag […]