Agriculture

U.S. ethanol production moved modestly higher last week. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says production averaged 969,000 barrels a day, up 6,000 on the week and 17,000 on the year, with producers encouraged by solid margins. According to Iowa State University’s Center for Agricultural and Rural Development, those margins did tick slightly lower, but remained in positive territory. The Renewable Fuels Association says net inputs by ethanol refiners and blenders […]

An ag economist says the dairy industry is using more beef semen, helping to grow beef supplies and add value to the dairy sector. University of Missouri’s Scott Brown says advancements in technology have made this possible. “Now I can figure out which of my females I want to get a replacement heifer from and use sorted semen on those,” he says.  “And those cows that I really don’t want […]

An ag economist says tighter supplies of meat and poultry could force retail prices even higher this summer. Brian Earnest with CoBank says wholesale prices have been on the rise again. “We’re still seeing those inputs rise here in 2022,” he says.  “From that standpoint retailers will have to transition some of that burden onto the consumer.” He tells Brownfield demand has remained strong despite rising prices.  Earnest says the […]

Producers say high input costs remain a top concern for their farming operations, according to the latest Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer. Jim Mintert is the director of the Purdue Center for Commercial Agriculture. “Forty-two percent of the people in the survey said higher input costs was their biggest concern,” he says. “That was more than twice the percentage of people that chose government policies or lower output prices. […]

A new pilot program in Northwest Arkansas is working to increase access to local food. The Arkansas Grown Grant program, funded by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture and the Walton Family Foundation, will help eligible farmers increase their capacity for wholesale fruit and vegetable production.  Grants of up to $15,000 will be available to at least 30 farmers in Benton, Washington, Madison, and Carroll Counties. Wes Ward, Arkansas Secretary of […]

Join us as Brownfield anchor/reporter Kellan Heavican hosts a roundtable every Wednesday with producers, climatologists, economists and lawmakers to discuss the impacts of the 2022 Drought in the Great Plains. Our latest discussion features Kansas cattle producer Ethan Dickerson, Kenny Burdine, livestock economist with the University of Kentucky and Brad Shick, University of Nebraska Beef Systems Extension Specialist. They discuss the impacts of the drought on herd liquidation, forage management […]

As planting season intensifies, some farmers are worried about parts availability. But, Southwest Iowa farmer Duane Aistrope says, “We’re sitting pretty good. I have heard of some issues around of guys trying to get some parts, but it hasn’t been a real bad problem this year like it was last fall.” He tells Brownfield he’s still trying to get his harvest equipment fixed. Aistrope says his combine parts finally arrived […]

USDA is closing the application deadline for large-scale pilot projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions on farms and forests this Friday. The USDA’s Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program will award $5 to $100 million to large projects that incentivize climate-smart practices and expand market opportunities.  Proposals for smaller-scale projects are due June 10. The program was announced in early February as part of a $1 billion investment in climate-smart programs. […]