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Prolonged coolness and ill-timed rain slowed the planting pace of southeast Iowa farmer Logan Lyon. “It’s been a gradual spring, so we’ve taken a little bit more time planting than our farm has historically.” He tells Brownfield. “It was hard to get really excited when we were getting nighttime temperatures definitely below 50 degrees, into […] The post SE Iowa farmer takes slower approach as cool spring conditions persist appeared […]

Planting and early emergence of corn and soybeans are steadily progressing across the U.S. The USDA says 57% of U.S. corn has been planted as of Sunday, ahead of the five-year average of 52%. Twenty-three percent of the crop has emerged – up from 13% the previous week. Soybeans are 49% planted, ahead of 36% […] The post 57% of U.S. corn, 49% of soybeans planted appeared first on Brownfield […]

A west central Indiana farmer says he finished the 2026 planting season in just ten days. But, Kevin Cox says recent cold and wet weather has had an impact on germination.  “We had six inches of rain in the last two weeks and two or three frosts,” he says. “The first four days, we had a perfect […] The post Heavy rain, frost threaten newly emerged Indiana crops appeared first on Brownfield […]

A northern Illinois farmer says planting progress is a mixed bag in his area. David Isermann, who grows corn, soybeans, and cattle in LaSalle County, says the cool, wet start of May has slowed things down. “It’s pretty varied, and of course, LaSalle County is a big county, and depending on where you’re at, some […] The post Illinois farmers ready for warmup to pick up planting pace appeared first […]

A northwest Ohio farmer says cold and wet weather has kept him out of the field this spring. Justin Gravatt says emergence has been spotty. “We only planted two days, and we’ve got a majority of the beans in,” he says. “We haven’t been in the field for two weeks now and there’s a lot I […] The post Northwest Ohio farmer says wet spring delaying 2026 planting appeared first on […]

A West Michigan apple grower says she remains optimistic about this season, even with at least eight frost-risk events so far. Kim Kropf tells Brownfield field sensors will alert her husband, Kris, every time temperatures dip too low, and a system of prevention efforts kicks into gear. “Once it gets to that degree, it will […] The post Michigan apple crop continues to face frost threats into May appeared first […]

An entomologist says some crop-damaging insects are getting an early start. Emily Bick with the University of Wisconsin tells Brownfield, along with alfalfa weevils and a large number of armyworm moths laying eggs, some farmers are already having problems with slugs. “The winter, even though it was cold and had such good snow cover, because […] The post Crop pests are getting an early start appeared first on Brownfield Ag […]

The Wisconsin Transportation Development Association has identified rural bridges that need repair or replacement. Executive Director Debby Jackson tells Brownfield Wisconsin has seventeen thousand culverts or bridges shorter than twenty feet, so they’re not officially a bridge by state or federal statutes. “But, you can’t fix an issue if you don’t know how many structures […] The post Wisconsin group identifies rural bridge problems appeared first on Brownfield Ag News.

The bureau chief of marketing, promotion, and grants with the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) says the state’s specialty crop industry is receiving a boost. Jackie Sambursky says more than $796,000 will be awarded over the next three years to expand access to locally grown produce through the USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. “About […] The post Illinois food system receives funding boost appeared first on Brownfield Ag News.