February 21, 2025

U.S. milk production was up fractionally in January as dairy farmers worked to grow their herds. Production in the U.S. totaled more than 19 billion pounds with production per cow down seven pounds from last year. USDA says farmers increased the dairy herd size by 40,000 head from last year and 10,000 from the prior […] The post Milk production down in January, 5% of dairies closed in 2024 appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

The president of Missouri FFA says the future of agriculture is bright. Andi Belt from northeast Missouri tells Brownfield “these kids just getting started in the organization have a really good future ahead and it gives me confidence we’re in good hands the next few years.” Belt says not only has she been meeting with […] The post Bright future for MO FFA appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

A bill that would have banned the sale of lab-grown protein for 10 years in South Dakota has failed in the Senate. A second vote was considered after a tie vote on Wednesday, but lawmakers decided not to consider the measure again. In a statement, bill sponsor and representative John Sjaarda told Brownfield he was […] The post Bill banning lab-grown protein dies in SD Senate appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

John Deere is planning a workforce reduction at its Des Moines Works plant in Ankeny, Iowa. In a statement to Brownfield, Deere says 119 employees are losing their jobs as part of a three-group layoff throughout March and April. The company says the layoffs are occurring because of reduced demand for the products produced in […] The post John Deere confirms 119 layoffs in Ankeny, Iowa appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Photo by Brownfield’s Erin Anderson. An Ohio state representative says he’s concerned about how the governor’s budget proposal will impact the state’s ag industry. District 65 Representative David Thomas tells Brownfield, “We have to use some of our state sales tax and income tax dollars to help property owners and give that relief. We used […] The post How a budget year could impact Ohio agriculture appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Ohio’s director of ag says the state has become a national hotspot for highly pathogenic avian influenza this year. Brian Baldridge says more than 11.5  million birds have been depopulated because of the virus. “As we’ve seen the numbers in Ohio, we’ve heard the poultry industry and them coming together to say we have to do […] The post ODA: Ohio has become a hotspot for avian flu appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Photo by Brownfield’s Erin Anderson. The National FFA Foundation plays a significant role in strengthening nationwide FFA programs through Give FFA Day. Kimberly Coveney, the senior manager of giving development, says all dollars donated directly benefit the organization. “You can support the mission of FFA with an unrestricted gift,” she says. “You can support teachers through […] The post 10th annual Give FFA Day helps strengthen National FFA programs appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Record prices in the cattle market are carrying over to the bull market.          Travis Meteer, University of Illinois Extension beef specialist, says the 2025 Illinois Performance Tested Bull (IPT) Sale was a record setter. “We actually set an all-time record for the average bull price this year.”  He says, “We were able to sell 33 […] The post Illinois Performance Tested Bull Sale sets records appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

The Chairman of the Michigan House Agriculture Committee says the state legislature has been able to come to agreement on new wage requirements. Jerry Neyer tells Brownfield paid sick time requirements set to go into effect this week would have hurt farmers and small businesses. “It would’ve just devastated the farming industry, especially with seasonal […] The post Michigan legislature passes paid sick leave, minimum wage bills appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story