May 30, 2025

New data confirms more farmers are seeking financial help in the down agriculture economy. Rose Oswald Poels is President and CEO of the Wisconsin Bankers Association.  She says a recent study by the Federal Reserve Banks in Chicago and Minneapolis shows more farmers are struggling with their finances now. “Farm credit conditions have really been […] The post Ag lending up in early 2025 appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

The USDA says farmers made less and paid a little bit more in April. The index of prices received for April was down 3.6% from March, pressured by declines in hogs, market eggs, milk, and lettuce, which canceled out gains in cattle, calves, broilers, and strawberries. The index of prices paid inched up 0.5% on […] The post April USDA price indices mixed appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

An ag policy specialist says on-going legal battles over the Trump administration’s tariff policy could have long term impacts on commodity markets.   Brad Lubben is with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. “That hurts potential market opportunities regardless of what the price or economic impacts of tariff itself is.” On Thursday, a federal court of appeals […] The post Seesaw of tariff rulings fuel more trade uncertainty appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

A western Illinois farmer says producers need access to crop protection tools to continue to feed growing populations. Brady Holst, who farms in Hancock County and serves on the Illinois Soybean Association board of directors, says the recent Make America Healthy Again Commission report is concerning. “The regulatory process, it seems like it’s difficult and […] The post Farmers need crop protection tools appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

A agronomist says it’s not too early to start scouting for soybean aphids. Nick Roysdon with BASF works with farmers in Illinois and Wisconsin.  He tells Brownfield controlling aphids early can prevent considerable yield loss, and there’s data from Iowa State to back it up. “A really severe aphid infection can cause 40% yield loss. […] The post It’s not too early to scout for soybean aphids appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

It was a mixed week for U.S. export sales. The USDA says old crop sorghum, rice, soybean products, and beef during the week ending May 22nd all showed week-to-week improvements, including the first reported sale of U.S. beef to China since late March. China canceled on previously purchased U.S. soybeans, cotton, and pork due to […] The post Beef, soybean product sales up on week appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Planting is wrapped up for north-central Missouri farmer Cody Brock. He tells Brownfield there have only been small setbacks. “We just kind of keep getting this little 10th or 2/10ths and 3/10ths inch of rain,” he says. “It’s way cooler than we usually have been for this time of year, we kind of need some […] The post Missouri farmer looks forward to sunshine appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

An Ohio State Extension soybean pathologist says there is an increased risk for soybean seedling disease development across the Midwest this year. Horacio Lopez-Nicora says there are three contributing factors.  “You need a susceptible host, in this case the soybean,” he says. “A pathogen that could actually infect this host and cause the disease, and then […] The post An increased risk for soybean seedling disease appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story