Agriculture

The Senate has voted to strike the Lesser Prairie Chicken (LPC) from being listed on the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Kansas Senator Roger Marshall says the listing was unnecessary because producers have done their part in protecting the species. “Thanks to voluntary efforts already, the prairie chicken numbers have a general upward trend.” The Congressional Review Act Resolution of Disapproval was introduced by Marshall and passed 50-48Thursday night. During a […]

The 95th Ohio FFA Convention is underway in Columbus, Ohio. Addison Summers, a sophomore from the Penta-Oak Harbor Chapter, is attending the state FFA convention for the first time. “This is something I never expected to do in my life. This is extremely awesome,” she says. “(FFA) is a huge family and everyone is so open, so energetic, so happy to be here and it really puts a great aspect […]

The head of the state soybean board says California has untapped potential for soy-based fuels. Nebraska’s Andy Chvatal says the low carbon fuel standard has spurred interest in additional soy crushing plants. “For California to be able to create that demand for us to bring those facilities online is huge and it’s going to double numbers very quickly.” He tells Brownfield there should be enough soybean acres to support demand. […]

U.S. ethanol exports made a big jump from February to March. The Renewable Fuels Association says ethanol exports during March were a ten-month high at 132.3 million gallons, an increase of 27% from February. Canada has now claimed the top spot for two consecutive years, with March’s ethanol exports to Canada the largest volume to any country for any month on record. The other major monthly destinations were India, the […]

A southern Wisconsin farmer tells Brownfield he can finally get into his fields. Mark Hoffmann grows about 600 acres of corn and another 600 acres of soybeans near Whitewater. “We worked up a little bit last night. I’m just actually getting ready to move the planter to go fill it up and get started after lunch.” Hoffmann says he’s starting with his corn this year. “I use the same planter for […]

Farmers and motorists are urged to be cautious as spring fieldwork brings more slow-moving vehicles onto roadways. Dr. Bryan Weichelt with the National Farm Medicine Center says national statistics are hard to get, but they’ve been tracking Wisconsin fatalities and injuries over the past four years. “In 2019, 15% of all farm fatalities were on a public roadway. In 2020, 18%.” He says, “This doesn’t include non-fatal injuries, you know, […]

Feed costs are down but so is the market for northeast Iowa pork producer Bob Hemesath. “Soybean meal is down well over probably one hundred-some dollars from its high (or maybe) more than that, so that helps. But the futures market and the hog market has been pretty dismal here.” He tells Brownfield pork demand seems off and attributes much of that to a lack of trade activity. “China has […]