Agriculture

A Wisconsin farmer is hoping producers can come together and support a dairy growth management proposal to help preserve more family dairy farms. Joe Bragger tells Brownfield, “It’s hurting our communities. Unity is going to be very important.” Bragger milks cows and is active with Wisconsin Farm Bureau.  He tells Brownfield the Dairy Revitalization Plan authored by dairy economists Mark Stephenson and Chuck Nicholson at the University of Wisconsin can […]

The USDA says February 2022 red meat production was up slightly from February of last year.  The total of 4.43 billion pounds was a 1% increase from 2021. Beef production for the month was at 2.25 billion pounds, up 7% from the previous year, with a 6% rise in the slaughter and a 5 pound gain for the average live weight. Pork production was 2.17 billion pounds, 4% lower, with a […]

A leading ag economist says U.S. farm incomes could receive a boost if the Russian – Ukrainian war isn’t resolved quickly. Head of the University of Missouri’s Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute, Pat Westhoff, says the group’s January projections showed a likely decline for farm income this year… But he tells Brownfield Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and sharply lowered South American crop production estimates might change that. “The increase […]

The US sheep and lamb industry saw historically high prices in 2021, but inflation could hinder producers from reaping the benefits of those prices again this year. American Sheep Industry Association Executive Director Peter Orwick tells Brownfield more consumers turned to lamb during the COVID-19 pandemic when other meats were unavailable and have continued to keep it on their grocery lists. “Very strong demand, as per capita consumption of lamb […]

At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle are higher ahead of Friday’s on Feed numbers.  Feeders have additional support from the lower corn.  April live cattle closed $.25 higher at $139.67 and June live cattle closed $.97 higher at $136.95.  April feeder cattle closed $.95 higher at $162.72 and May feeder cattle closed $.70 higher at $166.50.  There was another round of light round of direct cash cattle […]

Ukrainian officials are preparing for significant spring planting disruptions as the conflict with Russia continues. Deputy minister Taras Dzoba says even if the war stopped tomorrow, broken supply chains, labor displacement, and damage from attacks have already made an impact. “The exact numbers are still to be discovered and be calculated, and the effect of it, but definitely this will spill over to other countries and affect their economies,” he […]

The National Milk Producers Federation and International Dairy Foods Association are calling on the USDA to update the next set of dietary guidelines to increase dairy options and include flavored milk and yogurt in school meals. The groups cite a federal Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee report that found nearly 80 percent of 9- to 13-year-olds are not meeting the recommended intake of dairy foods and under consuming a variety of […]

Another case of highly pathogenic avian influenza is being reported in northwest Iowa. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service say the virus has been confirmed in a commercial turkey flock in Buena Vista County.  It’s the third case of avian flu for the county, and the second to hit a commercial turkey operation. Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig calls this is a difficult […]

Soybean futures traded lower on soft weekly export sales and forecasted South American rain. Soybean meal traded mostly sideways on the day, staying within a dollar on either side of the open before closing higher. The complex came off strong gains Wednesday, finding strength on support from an announced export sale, South American crop expectations and opportunity on the soy oil front. Weekly export sales came in lower than traders […]