February 27, 2025

A biologist says he expects the threat of highly pathogenic avian influenza to continue as spring migration season approaches. Eli Fleace is with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. “It’s typically a cold weather virus,” he says. “Part of that is their migration patterns. A lot of these birds are migrating in the winter, and […] The post Wildlife’s role in carrying HPAI appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Soybeans were lower on fund and technical selling. The USDA is projecting lower planted area this year and improved demand next marketing year at the annual Ag Outlook Forum. Contracts were up early but wilted due to confirmation of new tariffs against key trading partners starting next week, which could cut into demand. Near-term weather […] The post Corn, wheat pressured by USDA expectations appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

The president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association says farmers and ranchers need the certainty of a five-year farm bill. Buck Wehrbein of Nebraska told the U.S. Senate Ag Committee during a hearing this week he’d liked to see it passed sooner rather than later. “There are too many people that are up in the […] The post Farmers and ranchers need a farm bill appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

A sixth-generation dairy farmer says the Dairy Margin Coverage program needs to be updated to better reflect actual milk production in the next farm bill. Vermont’s Harold Howrigan testified this week before the Senate Ag Committee as part of a panel focused on the economic conditions in the livestock industry. “Dairy Farmers of America would […] The post Dairy margin program is out of date appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Nebraska lawmakers are considering a bill that could increase protections for meatpacking and poultry workers during animal disease outbreaks. State Senator Dunixi Guereca is the bill’s sponsor. “This bill emerges from an urgent need to bridge meatpackers and agricultural production while ensuring, even during unpredictable disasters, that our supply chain continues to function without interruption,” […] The post Nebraska lawmakers considering bill to increase protections for meat and poultry workers appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

There were a few bright spots in the weekly export sales update. The USDA says pork sales during the week ending February 20th were up on the week thanks to solid demand from Mexico, rice notched a marketing year with Iraq topping the list, and sorghum saw a modest improvement. The other major commodities saw […] The post Pork, rice export sales up on the week appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

The Illinois state veterinarian says the state is increasing its efforts to monitor dairy cattle for H5N1 avian flu. Dr. Mark Ernst tells Brownfield, “The Illinois Department of Public Health is beginning their initiation of milk testing at processors, and so that should give us an idea as to whether or not we have any […] The post Illinois continuing to monitor H5N1 in dairy cattle appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

U.S. Senator Joni Ernst says she’s pleased the USDA is moving quickly to combat the avian influenza crisis. Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins revealed a $1 billion HPAI response plan on Wednesday, and Ernst tells Brownfield it includes some of her recommendations. “There’s an increase in indemnity payments for producers that are losing birds,” she said. […] The post Sen. Ernst praises USDA, Ag Secretary Rollins for HPAI response plan appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

The director of the Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation at Iowa State University warns farm families about a potentially harmful change to federal health insurance. Kristine Tidgren says a premium tax credit that covers a large portion of the cost is set to expire at the end of the year. “So if Congress does […] The post Potential health insurance change could cost farm families thousands appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story