January 8, 2025

Late December rain pulled soil moisture levels in Tennessee above a year ago. The USDA says that while the western portions of the state have adequate to surplus sub and topsoil moisture, pulling state averages above early 2024, eastern Tennessee continues to experience conditions ranging from abnormally dry to extreme drought. Pasture and range conditions […] The post Widely mixed soil moisture in Tennessee appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Most of South Dakota started the year with low soil moisture levels. The USDA says 79% of the state is short to very short of soil moisture, with conditions across all of South Dakota ranging from abnormally dry to extreme drought, well above year ago levels. That’s left just 22% of winter wheat in good […] The post South Dakota starts 2025 very dry appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Ohio was a little bit warmer and wetter than normal during December. The USDA says the higher average statewide precipitation has replenished soil moisture levels in parts of the state, but southeastern portions of Ohio continue to see conditions ranging from abnormally dry to severe drought. 57% of winter wheat is in good to excellent […] The post Drought conditions persist in parts of Ohio appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Dry weather during is having an impact on Nebraska’s winter wheat condition ratings. The USDA says soil moisture levels are below the start of 2024 with 95% of the state at least abnormally dry. 27% of the winter wheat crop is in good to excellent shape, compared to 48% this time last year, with 26% […] The post Dry weather hits Nebraska winter wheat rating appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Indiana Farm Bureau President Randy Kron says several issues will be discussed during this year’s legislative session. The organization is supporting Senate Bill 28, which would protect ground water for farmers. “Right now the way the law is written, it’s just whoever sucks it out the fastest gets it,” he says. “We’re looking at some protections around […] The post The 2025 Indiana legislative session is officially underway appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

A farmer in southwestern Iowa says field conditions are favorable heading into spring. Ray Gaesser tells Brownfield, “We could use a little more (precipitation), but we’re near normal conditions for our soil moisture.” He says a low-pressure system during the late fall helped recharge his subsoils. “In November, we received between 4.5-to-5.5 inches of rain […] The post Soil moisture outlook for southwest Iowa appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

A southwest Iowa cow-calf producer says feed costs have been favorable to start the year. Jeff Jorgenson tells Brownfield the lower costs have provided some relief. “It really reflects where we’re at in the row crop side. With corn being lower, it sure makes the feed costs a lot easier to swallow.” He says it’s […] The post Favorable feed costs for cattle producers appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

John Deere has announced another round of layoffs at its Ottumwa, Iowa plant. In a statement to Brownfield, the company says approximately 75 production employees will be placed on indefinite layoff effective February 7th. The Ottumwa facility was temporarily shut down in December due to a lack of demand. In its fourth quarter earnings report, […] The post John Deere announces additional layoffs at Ottumwa plant appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

The world’s largest pork supplier, Smithfield Foods, has filed for its initial public offering in the U.S.  The company submitted its registration statement to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Monday and would sell shares of its common stock on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “SFD”.  According to a release from the company, […] The post Smithfield Foods files for initial public offering appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story