February 18, 2025

Minnesota will begin testing raw milk for H5N1. Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen tells Brownfield the USDA mandate goes into effect February 24th. “And those will be on (farms) that are already tested by the Department of Agriculture, so farmers won’t notice we’ll pull an extra sample to work through that. And we’ll be on a […] The post Minnesota to begin testing raw milk for H5N1 appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Mar. corn closed at $5.02, up 5 and 3/4 centsMar. soybeans closed at $10.38 and 1/2, up 2 and 1/2 centsMar. soybean meal closed at $293.80, down $2.10Mar. soybean oil closed at 47.30, up 123 pointsMar. wheat closed at $6.04 and 3/4, up 4 and 3/4 centsApr. live cattle closed at $194.02, down 22 centsMar. […] The post Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: February 18, 2025 appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

A Purdue University ag economist says farmers should analyze their labor efficiency to maximize productivity in 2025. Michael Langemeier says if a farm has higher labor costs, it could struggle to support its workforce. “If your labor costs are above 11%, you need to think about why,” he says. “Do I have low machinery costs, […] The post How does labor efficiency correlate to a farm’s productivity? appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Soybeans were higher on fund and technical buying. Crop condition ratings have declined in Argentina and weekend rainfall missed some dry areas. Conversely, harvest conditions in Brazil generally look good and should allow for decent progress. The USDA’s updated supply, demand, and production numbers are out March 11th, with CONAB’s new outlook for Brazil set […] The post Soybeans, corn, wheat see modestly higher finishes appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

A land transfer navigator says having a succession plan in place is key to reducing farmland loss. Becky Huttenga tells Brownfield, “That’s one of the best tools we can use to protect farmland.” “It’s never more threatened than when it changes hands, that’s when it has the highest threat for conversion to another use,” she […] The post Succession plans curb farmland loss appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

U.S. egg production declined in 2024. The USDA says 108.515 billion eggs were produced last year, falling 1% from the year before, with table eggs also down 1% to 93.1 billion and hatching eggs seeing a slight year-to-year decrease at 15.4 billion. The lower production total followed a 2% drop in both the commercial chicken […] The post Lower egg production in 2024 appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Pictured: Iowa farmer Lance Lillibridge scouts fields during the 2024 growing season (Photo by Brent Barnett/Brownfield) An eastern Iowa farmer says he’s making some of his final preparations for the 2025 growing season. Lance Lillibridge tells Brownfield it could be an expensive year to raise a crop. “It’s agriculture. Every year has its challenges and […] The post Iowa farmer gives update on planting season plans appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

A bill has been reintroduced in the U.S. Congress that would allow year-round E-15.  Kenneth Hartmann, an Illinois farmer and president of the National Corn Growers Association says the goal is to get that bill signed into law.  “We know that the administration, from what we understand, is positive on ethanol,” he says.  “So, we’re […] The post Another push for year-round E-15 appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story