The USDA has cut its 2026 U.S. beef production projection. Beef is now seen at 25.547 billion pounds, down 243 million from April due to the tight supply of ready numbers, with the average steer price estimated at $249.66 per hundredweight, up $8, and higher imports and consumption against lower exports. The other major meats […] The post USDA lowers 2026 beef production, sees decline ongoing into 2027 appeared first […]
Year after year, some areas of a field are just low-yielding. In this Management for Profit episode, we hear about research underway at Michigan State University on how it could pay to convert that land into prairie strips. The post Turning low performance into profit appeared first on Brownfield Ag News.
The U.S. produced less cotton in 2025 than 2024. Upland production last year was 13.492 million bales, down 447,000 from the year before that, with a decline in yield to 842 pounds per acre canceling out a rise in harvested area to 7.689 million acres. In 2024, upland production was 13.939 million bales with an […] The post USDA: 2025 cotton crop slightly below 2024 appeared first on Brownfield Ag […]
Collaborators at Michigan State University are working to strengthen the flexibility and resilience of agriculture and food supply chains during major disruptions. Co-Director of the Center for Regenerative Agriculture Ian Olson tells Brownfield systems need to shift away from being reactionary. “With food prices where they are, you’ve got more geopolitical instability—everyone’s really trying to […] The post MSU explores solutions for agriculture and food supply chain efficiencies appeared first […]
The U.S. Dairy Export Council says eight percent growth in March shipments continued year-over-year gains for the sixth straight month. Cheese exports increased 29 percent in March, setting a record high for the month, and jumped 23 percent in the first quarter. Economist says the data appears to capture some immediate impacts of the U.S. […] The post Demand for cheese and butterfat expands March dairy exports appeared first on […]
A pair of Illinois farmers say rising fertilizer costs are impacting their operations. Ken Franklin, who farms in Christian County, says he had most of his fertilizer purchased before the conflict in the Middle East sent prices surging, however… “It’s on a small scale, but we had some environmentally sensitive areas that have a little […] The post Fertilizer price spikes bring concerns and audibles for Illinois farmers appeared first […]
U.S. winter wheat production will likely fall sharply on the year. The USDA projects this year’s winter wheat crop at 1.0548 billion bushels, a drop of 25% from 2025, largely due to widespread drought in the Plains, in addition to lower planted area. Harvested area is seen at 22.015 million acres, 14% below a year […] The post USDA sees big year-to-year drop in winter wheat production appeared first on […]
The USDA raised its 2025/26 ending stocks estimates for corn while cutting the outlook for wheat and soybeans. Corn ending stocks for the current marketing year are seen at 2.142 billion bushels, up 15 million from April on a cut to food, seed, and industrial use. The average estimated 2025/26 farm price is $4.15 per […] The post USDA adjusts old crop ending stocks estimates, issues new crop guesses appeared […]
University of Kentucky ag economist Kenny Burdine says, “There’s very little indication that we’re going to grow this cowherd quickly at all this time.” But, when it happens, he says it will come down to what he calls the three Ps for producers to change their minds on herd expansion. “You’ve got have profit, you have to have pasture, and you have to have patience.” He tells Brownfield profitability for cow/calf producers remain at record high levels. “In […] The post What it will take to grow the cattle herd: profit, pasture, and […]
