The state unemployment rate rose one-tenth of a percent to 3.5% in April. Iowa Workforce Development director Beth Townsend says that’s partly because more people are looking for work. “We had 5,000 Iowans come back into the workforce, that’s a really good sign. Yeah, the unemployment rate ticked up a tenth of a point, but […] View Full Story
A research veterinarian is concerned about the loss of federal animal health experts due to downsizing. Dr. Keith Poulsen with the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Center tells Brownfield federal efforts to decrease spending have noticeable side effects. “USDA lost upwards of 23-25 percent of their total workforce, and when you think about that in a federal […] The post Veterinary researcher concerned about APHIS cuts appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story
A cow-calf producer in central Missouri says he’s expecting a shift in cattle herds across the state later this year. David Dick from Pettis County says herds will likely get younger heading into fall and winter. “The market is right and you’ll be able to market some of these older cows. In turn, I think […] The post A shifting cattle herd appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story
A national wheat contest winner says every management decision needs to have a return on investment. Jeff Krohn tells Brownfield yielding more than 170 bushels per acre of soft white winter wheat starts with ideal fall conditions. “We treat our wheat very, very well,” he shares. “We start early in the fall with putting some […] The post Managing 170+ bushel wheat that pays appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story
Missouri Farm Bureau is another step closer to offering a health plan to its members. On Thursday, state lawmakers approved Senate Bill 79, a bill that allows the non-profit membership organization to offer a health plan. “It’s really been three years in the making,” says Garrett Hawkins, president, Missouri Farm Bureau. He says Governor Kehoe […] The post MO legislature approves Farm Bureau health plan bill appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story
An ag economist says rising input costs are expected to pressure profitability for row crop producers. Purdue University’s Michael Langemeier tells Brownfield farmers did see some relief when it comes to the cost of fuel and fertilizer in 2024. But, “Even though prices have stopped increasing as much, they’re still high compared to what they were prior […] The post Input costs continue to push crop farmers below breakeven appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story
Minnesota legislative leaders and Governor Walz have agreed on state budget targets, including for agriculture. Minnesota Farm Bureau director of public policy Loren Dauer says Republican and Democrat caucus leadership met with Walz this Thursday morning. “And we were very fortunate to see a $9 million budget target above base for this biennium, along with […] The post Minnesota leaders set budget targets, including agriculture appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story
A professor of plant breeding with Western Illinois University says advancements in pennycress genetic research are leading it closer to becoming a commercial crop option for farmers. Dr. Win Phippen tells Brownfield, “Ever since 2009, we’ve had an active breeding program to start focusing on what agronomic traits were needed in pennycress to essentially domesticate […] The post Pennycress advancements bringing new potential appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were sharply lower on technical selling, watching direct business develop. June live cattle closed $2.77 lower at $211.17 and August live cattle closed $3.52 lower at $205.85. August feeder cattle closed $6.15 lower at $295.82 and September feeder cattle closed $6.35 lower at $294.62. There was […] The post Cattle futures sharply lower on technical selling appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story
Agritourism could boost the bottom line of farms struggling with depressed commodity prices. University of Minnesota Extension educator DeeDee LeMier specializes in community economics and says farming has always been a field that requires exploring new crops, new technologies, and adjusting to changing weather and family dynamics. “If you have a lot of hands available […] The post Agritourism an opportunity for farm diversification appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story
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