July 3, 2025

WIU names interim School of Agriculture director

The new interim director of the School of Agriculture at Western Illinois University (WIU) wants to make the program one of the most sought-after in the country. Keela Trennepohl, who’s been an animal science instructor at the school since 2017, tells Brownfield, “I’m so excited to be able to get to know everyone, and kind […] The post WIU names interim School of Agriculture director appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Dairy demand for high oleic soybeans booming

Michigan State University’s research on feeding roasted high oleic soybeans in dairy rations is causing significant demand shifts. Brian Preston says he expects Plenish Beans will be one of the largest game changers for the dairy industry in his lifetime. “I think that sand bedding changed the dairy industry,” he says. “I think calf hutches, […] The post Dairy demand for high oleic soybeans booming appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Iowa Republicans, Democrats lay out arguments for, against ‘Big Beautiful Bill’

The four Republicans who represent Iowa in the U.S. House will be voting to approve the bill that implements President Trump’s priorities, including an extension of the tax cuts he signed into law in 2017. “President Trump’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill will dramatically grow our economy. It’s the largest tax cut in American history for […] View Full Story

Weed challenges continue

A southwestern Indiana farmer says a wet start to the growing season has created additional weed challenges. Ben Kron says resistance has been a problem. “We have issues over in our area with getting rid of water hemp and pig weed,” he says. “We’ve really struggled getting some of those killed. Even our neighbors have ended up […] The post Weed challenges continue appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Watch for volunteer wheat after harvest for potential disease issues

An extension forage and wheat specialist says farmers should monitor fields after harvest to help prevent the spread of disease. Romulo Lollato with Kansas State University says lodging has resulted in head shattering. “That volunteer wheat can act as a bridge for the wheat curl mite. If we don’t control it whenever we plant our […] The post Watch for volunteer wheat after harvest for potential disease issues appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

MSU preparing for red crown rot findings

A plant pathologist is encouraging growers to scout for red crown rot as the disease spreads. Michigan State University’s Marty Chilvers tells Brownfield, “I probably would suspect it’s here in Michigan, we probably just haven’t found it yet.” Chilvers says soybeans start showing signs of the disease during the late reproductive stage. “In terms of symptoms in […] The post MSU preparing for red crown rot findings appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Solid week for soybean product export sales

U.S. soybean product sales were up on the week. The USDA says bean meal sales during the week ending June 26th were considerably larger than the previous week thanks to solid feed demand from several key customers including Mexico. Soybean oil sales were also sharply higher than the week before due to tighter global vegetable […] The post Solid week for soybean product export sales appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Bunge and Viterra merger completed

A Missouri-based agribusiness has completed a merger that the CEO says will grow its global footprint. Bunge and Viterra’s merger became official on Wednesday, July 2. Bunge’s Greg Heckman says “we have more capabilities to sustainably meet the demands of complex markets, providing exceptional products and services to customers at both ends of the value […] The post Bunge and Viterra merger completed appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

New Indiana Grain Indemnity law takes effect

The director of the Indiana Grain Buyers and Warehouse Licensing Agency says a bill signed into law earlier this year gives farmers added protections in the event of a grain licensee failure. Clark Smith says it provides much needed updates to the law’s language. “Once a revocation happens, we are revoking the grain license,” he says. “If farmers […] The post New Indiana Grain Indemnity law takes effect appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Watch for Supplemental Disaster Relief

Producers could start signing up for USDA’s Supplemental Disaster Relief Program as early as next week. The USDA has targeted July 7th for enrolling producers for indemnified crop losses and September 15 for uncovered losses from weather events in 2023–2024. The program replaces USDA’s Wildfires and Hurricanes Indemnity Program and the Emergency Relief Program. USDA […] The post Watch for Supplemental Disaster Relief appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story