The Michigan Corn Growers Association is thankful President Biden is extending the use of E15 to lower gas prices. President Randy Poll says the state’s farmers are ready to support American energy independence with ethanol made in Michigan. The four active plants in the state produce about 330 million gallons annually. The organization is also advocating for the passage of the Next Generation Fuels Act to support higher blends of […]
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live cattle were higher and feeders were mostly higher, supported by the strength in cash business and higher boxed beef prices during the session. June live cattle closed $1.50 higher at $136.30 and August live cattle closed $1.02 higher at $137.65. May feeder cattle closed $1.02 higher at $160.92 and August feeder cattle closed $.45 higher at $173.75. There was a light direct cash cattle […]
A farmer in northeast Iowa is happy he changed herbicide programs this year. Bob Hemesath of Decorah says that’s because there are concerns about glyphosate shortages throughout the Midwest. “I’ve been using the same program the last probably three or four years on our corn ground, and this year we actually switched to a pre-mix that has glyphosate already in it. And supply of that seems to not be an […]
Soybean futures found support on Tuesday after an oversold bounce coming from Monday’s losses. Crude oil is rebounded sharply, adding support to the soybean complex, especially for soybean oil. Reports of China backing off on some COVID related restrictions is adding support back into the market by reducing the potential for export volatility. The soybean market saw strong support last week with USDA’s estimated soybean ending stocks falling 25 million […]
An automobile expert says ethanol-based fuel is the quickest way to reduce emissions and create cleaner air. Marc Rauch is Executive Vice President of The Auto Channel, the largest independent automotive information resource. He tells Brownfield electric vehicles are the future, but they won’t be the primary vehicle on the roads for a long time. “We are gong to have to continue to rely on internal combustion engines, and if […]
Photo provided by: Kajuanis Knighten American Farmland Trust is awarding $1 million to help growers improve farm viability; access, transfer, or protect farmland; or adopt regenerative ag practices. Ashely Brucker, agriculture conservation innovation initiative program manager with American Farmland Trust, says grants provided through the Brighter Future Fund will help improve the lives of farmers. “Protecting farmland doesn’t stop at signing on the dotted line to ensure the land is […]
New data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers shows tractor and combine sales declined in March for the first time since July 2021. Senior Vice President Curt Blades tells Brownfield total US tractor sales fell 21% and combine sales fell 10% from March of last year. “We are still well above the five-year average, but we are comparing against numbers that were very high at this time last year.” He […]
Most Wisconsin farmers are waiting for warmer and dryer weather to get into the fields. One farmer in the northern third of the state says there’s no chance of him getting any fieldwork done right now. Ben Augustine says, “Yup, still got frost yet.” Augustine grows crops and milks cows near Sheldon in Rusk County. He tells Brownfield his soils are cold and wet and over a clay base, so […]
Finding land has been the largest hurdle for a small meat processor. Damian Rivera currently works as a custom meat processor, traveling to farms to slaughter animals on site. For the past eight years, he and his wife Rosemary have been planning to establish a USDA-inspected slaughterhouse and processing facility in southeast Michigan. “My customers—they’re very pleased but they also wanted me to be able to do a USDA facility […]
