May 21, 2025

USAPEEC president says layer and turkey flocks continue to rebound following HPAI outbreaks

The president and CEO of the USA Poultry and Egg Export Council says that reported cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza have slowed in recent weeks.  But, Greg Tyler tells Brownfield, “The outbreaks are going to continue, I don’t think we’re going to see a slowdown on that.” He says the layer and turkey industries […] The post USAPEEC president says layer and turkey flocks continue to rebound following HPAI outbreaks appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Cash dairy prices steady to higher Wednesday

Cash dairy prices were steady to higher in light trading Wednesday on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.    Dry whey was up $0.01 at $0.5350.  No sales were recorded.  Forty-pound cheese blocks were up $0.0350 at $1.9350.  Two sales were recorded at that price.  Cheese barrels were up $0.0275 at $1.8625.   No sales were recorded.  Butter has remained […] The post Cash dairy prices steady to higher Wednesday appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Wisconsin manure spill under investigation

An unexpected heavy rain in a short period of time is a factor in a recent Wisconsin manure spill. Ben Uvaas with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources tells Brownfield the farm used low-disturbance manure injection, which performed well in most of the field. “There were a couple of parts of the field where that […] The post Wisconsin manure spill under investigation appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Iowa farmers receive rain “at the right time”

Iowa’s state climatologist says recent rains came at the right time. “To bank some soil moisture right now with the heavier amounts we saw across the state, it’s excellent news,” said Dr. Justin Glisan with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship Glisan says precipitation deficits were beginning to add up, but a recent […] The post Iowa farmers receive rain “at the right time” appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Layoffs announced at Ames-based Chevron REG

A round of layoffs is set to occur next month at Ames, Iowa-based Chevron Renewable Energy Group. According to data on the Iowa Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification website, 70 Chevron employees will be laid off effective June 18th. The workforce reduction comes amid some uncertainty in the biodiesel industry. As previously reported on Brownfield, […] The post Layoffs announced at Ames-based Chevron REG appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Nearly 20 USDA advisory committees halted

The U.S. Ag Secretary is terminating seven advisory committees and pausing eight others following Executive Orders to reduce and restructure the federal government. Eliminated committees include the Advisory Committee on Agriculture Statistics, which until November was in the process of reestablishing to ensure statistical accuracy and that the agency was meeting the needs of stakeholders, including […] The post Nearly 20 USDA advisory committees halted appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Indiana 4-H sees program growth with record project numbers 

Photo provided by Indiana 4-H. Indiana’s 4-H program continues to see growth.  Tony Carrell, acting program director, says the program set a record during the 2023-2024 year of more than 155,000 projects exhibited. He says these experiences provide members with valuable life skills.  “Whether they decide to go to a four year college, a two-year […] The post Indiana 4-H sees program growth with record project numbers  appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Midwest farmland values up slightly in first quarter

A policy advisor at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago says land values in the Seventh District were up slightly from a year ago in the first quarter of 2025. David Oppedahl says a few factors led land values 1% higher than the first quarter of 2024. “And up 4% from the fourth quarter.”  He […] The post Midwest farmland values up slightly in first quarter appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Cuts to SNAP could have far-reaching impacts

The vice president of research for Feeding America says reducing funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program could worsen hunger and economic strain across the U.S.  Emily Engelhard says, “Cuts in SNAP will undoubtedly increase food insecurity rates.” She tells Brownfield the program supports local economies. “SNAP benefits stimulate the economy by about $1.54 for every […] The post Cuts to SNAP could have far-reaching impacts appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Catholic Eucharistic Pilgrimage crossing into Iowa from Illinois today

The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage of the Catholic Church will enter Iowa today on its way back to the west coast. Davenport Diocese Deacon Ryan Burchett says the Pilgrimage came through Iowa a couple of years ago on the way from Los Angeles to Indianapolis. “Now it’s moving from Indianapolis back out to LA, and they’re […] View Full Story