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Wild birds in eastern Michigan have been confirmed with highly pathogenic avian influenza. Jennifer Holton with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development tells Brownfield vigilant biosecurity is critical right now for the state’s poultry industry. The department has been working under an internal Incident Management Team for the past month when the disease was first detected in a backyard non-commercial flock in Kalamazoo County to prepare for any […]

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association says the adjustment to the volume-based safeguard for US beef entering Japan is an important first step in furthering trade between the two countries. NCBA’s senior director of international trade and market access Kent Bacus says there is long-term certainty in the Japanese market.  “That’s really good for US beef producers and Japanese consumers,” he says.  “We don’t have to worry about exceeding our reach […]

Input prices and for the most part commodity prices have been on a higher trajectory and that could have an impact on acres this year. In this Managing for Profit, Mac Marshall with the United Soybean Board shares his thoughts ahead of the USDA’s prospective plantings report next week. AUDIO: Mac Marshall, United Soybean Board ...

Wisconsin officials are continuing to work with a Jefferson County egg producer whose flock became infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza. The Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection says this is the only case in the state, and nearly three million hens are being depopulated and composted on property owned by the farm.  The department has distributed information about the process to the farm’s neighbors, and they are urging […]

The National Potato Council is disappointed with USDA’s decision to resume table stock potato sales from Canada’s Prince Edward Island to the U.S. Council CEO Kam Quarles tells Brownfield says Prince Edward Island has potato wart and their growers can no longer ship seed potatoes, but there is still a danger of bringing the disease with consumer-ready table potatoes. “A number of our growers are very concerned about the potential […]

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 […]