April 30, 2025

Research is showing the benefits of applying solid manure over liquid manure to fields. Josh Mirabella with the University of Wisconsin-Madison is researching soil health and fertility comparing unprocessed liquid manure, manure that has had the liquid removed, and no manure applications at all. “Both in terms of their overall impact on nitrogen dynamics in […] The post Manure study examines nitrogen retention, soil health appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Much of the Midwest should experience warm and dry weather the first week of May. Iowa state climatologist Justin Glisan says there’s a strong warm signal expanding from the central and western Corn Belt. “That strong warm signal does persist and it does expand across much of the Midwest and Upper Midwest. And then you […] The post May expected to start warm and dry appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

A commodity group says a ruling by the International Trade Commission will likely raise prices and reduce availability for a popular ag chemical. Virginia Houston with the American Soybean Association tells Brownfield, “It’s just one more factor working against farmers as far as the cost of production.” Houston says the Tuesday decision to impose additional […] The post Commodity groups unhappy with ITC duties on 2,4-D appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

An associate research professor at the University of Missouri says she’ll be able to continue her mechanization research after an anonymous donation was made to the Soybean Innovation Lab in Illinois. Kerry Clark tells Brownfield “I train people how to build crop threshers. We have a new piece of equipment and when USAID funding was cut, […] The post Donation allows USAID mechanization research to continue at MU appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

A farmer from west-central Missouri says he’s concerned what the Trump administration’s tariffs mean for China, a top buyer of U.S. soybeans. Ronnie Russell raises corn and soybeans in Ray County. “I look forward to farming every year. There’s some years you’re more giddy about it and other years where you hold your breath. That’s […] The post MO farmer holding breath as tariffs continue appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

A U.S. Senate Ag Committee member is calling on President Trump’s USDA Under Secretary for Trade nominee to go to bat for specialty crop growers. Michigan’s Elissa Slotkin says unfair trade practices need to be addressed even in smaller markets.  “I want you to go into battle with the country of Turkey on tart cherries,” she […] The post Slotkin pushes for specialty crop fair trade appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Mild weather the past few months could result in high alfalfa weevil pressure this spring. FMC technical services manager Eric Rebek says the forage pest begins to emerge in April and May, feeding on crops and laying eggs. “It’s kind of a perfect storm with the adults emerging (and) laying eggs, and then maybe even […] The post Favorable weather for alfalfa weevil appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

A north central Illinois farmer says he’s disappointed in the state’s planned cuts to conservation funding.  Brian Corkill, who farms in Henry & Stark Counties, says the “Fall Covers for Spring Savings” program, which offers farmers a discount on their crop insurance when they plant fall cover crops, has helped spread the practice of covering […] The post Illinois farmer disappointed in state’s conservation cuts appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

A Minnesota farmer is worried trade uncertainties will make grain marketing more difficult. Chad Willis grows corn and soybeans near Wilmar. “With the tariffs and everything going on, that kind of throws a wrench into the normal routine.” He tells Brownfield margins are tight. “As many farmers know, a lot of us, (commodity prices) are […] The post Minnesota farmer concerned about trade uncertainties appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story