Agriculture

A Nebraska rancher says she’s frustrated by the lack of clarity surrounding the latest Waters of the United States rule. Barb Cooksley tells Brownfield Wednesday’s injunction blocking the rule in 24 states is good news for agriculture, but it’s not enough. “It doesn’t matter which administration tries to define it.  It’s the fact that we’re still trying to define it and regulate it makes it hard for not just for […]

Farmers are hoping to get the 2023 crop off to a good start. Pioneer agronomist Cody Pettit says the priority right now is planting into ideal soil conditions. “This early window is non-typical and is a blessing, but it doesn’t allow us to forget the fundamentals of optimal planting conditions.” He tells Brownfield that’s good soil moisture and a strong forecast. “And when I say strong forecast I primarily mean […]

Farmers in six states would be hurt hardest if Mexico follows through with its proposed ban on genetically modified corn. Ohio State University professor Ian Sheldon says Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas, and Louisiana are the top exporters to Mexico. “This would be a little bit like putting a prohibitive tariff on our exports to Mexico, and I think in the short to medium-term that would have a significant effect […]

More than 15,000 acres of farm and ranchland have burned across a Western Corn Belt state with producers facing more risks of wildfires this week. Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says there have been more than three fires burning across the Cornhusker state since Tuesday afternoon impacting at least six counties. Sandhills rancher Barb Cooksley tells Brownfield conditions sparked a blaze on her ranch Wednesday morning. “Dry humidity and high […]

Wednesday’s preliminary injunction blocking the Biden administration’s Waters of the U.S. rule is being praised by the American Farm Bureau Federation. Government Affairs Director Courtney Briggs says, “It’s a huge win for farmers.” Briggs tells Brownfield they’ve been troubled by this administration’s WOTUS definition, and the injunction issued by U.S. District Court Judge Daniel Hovland provides relief to farmers in 22 more states and, “One of the good things about […]