September 12, 2025

Producers see slight bump in turkey hatchings, but 2025 output still trails 2024

U.S. turkey hatchery numbers during August were up on the month, but down on the year. The numbers generally fall in line with expectations for lower production in 2025 than in 2024. The USDA says 21.243 million turkey eggs hatched last month, 6% more than in July, while 20.54 million poults were placed into meat […] The post Producers see slight bump in turkey hatchings, but 2025 output still trails 2024 appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

USDA cuts 2025 red meat outlook while poultry, egg production climb on stronger demand

The USDA’s 2025 red meat production numbers were down from August, while poultry guesses were up. Beef is estimated at 25.826 billion pounds, down 100 million on the month due to cuts to slaughter for the back half of the year, with an average steer price of $228.56 per hundredweight, up $1.50, higher imports, lower […] The post USDA cuts 2025 red meat outlook while poultry, egg production climb on stronger demand appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

USDA sees larger 2025 sorghum crop with bigger yields and plantings

The USDA has hiked its 2025 sorghum production guess. The crop is now estimated at 402.235 million bushels, 10.74 million more than in August on upward revisions for yield and acreage, with the crop expected to be 17% larger than 2024 on year-over-year gains for yield and area. This year’s yield is pegged at 70.4 […] The post USDA sees larger 2025 sorghum crop with bigger yields and plantings appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Board of Education rules in test of new Iowa law on school curriculum

The State Board of Education ruled against the appeal today of a Dallas Center Grimes parent in a test of the new law banning critical race theory and social justice from school curriculum. Shelly Flockhart asked for a review of songs, poems, videos, articles and book excerpts used by an English teacher as supplemental teaching […] View Full Story

Report: Iowa could have 100% carbon-free power by 2045

Iowa’s electricity needs are expected to rise by 30 to 60 percent in the next 20 years, and a new report finds the state might be able to meet the demand and achieve 100-percent carbon-free electricity with renewable energy. Steve Guyer, senior energy policy counsel for the Iowa Environmental Council, says the Trump administration has […] View Full Story

Iowa farmer says diversification is key in tough ag economy

An Iowa farmer says being diversified is helping during the downturn in the ag economy. Logan Lyon farms in the southeast part of the state. “Here outside of Bluegrass we are really diverse, further than the row crop and livestock even. We make a lot of hay (and) straw, so having our hands in different […] The post Iowa farmer says diversification is key in tough ag economy appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Cotton, rice production up in latest USDA report — but below 2024 numbers

The USDA’s cotton and rice production guesses are up on the month, while remaining below a year ago. Upland cotton was a little bit larger than the August report at 12.915 million bales following upward revisions on acreage, now at 9.153 million for planted and 7.23 million for harvested, but 8% smaller than 2024 due […] The post Cotton, rice production up in latest USDA report — but below 2024 numbers appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Local Farmers, Institutions Could Benefit from Revived USDA Food Program

A Minnesota specialty crop producer is urging Congress to reauthorize USDA’s Local Food Purchase Assistance Program. Dan Zimmerli, a vegetable grower from Waseca County, says the previous administration launched the program through the Commodity Credit Corporation in late 2022. “Which provided money for schools and daycares and so on to purchase food from farms like […] The post Local Farmers, Institutions Could Benefit from Revived USDA Food Program appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

South Korea remains key market for U.S. Beef, USMEF reports $1.4 billion in sales

The president of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board says it’s important to maintain strong trading relationships as U.S. beef prices continue to push higher. Ryan Moorhouse says South Korea has been a crucial market. “Beef exports in particular are worth $411.00 per head on the finished carcass basis,” he says.  “And $100 of the $400 is […] The post South Korea remains key market for U.S. Beef, USMEF reports $1.4 billion in sales appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

America’s Heartland Packing ramping up production

As many as 1200 head of Midwestern cattle per day can be processed by the nation’s newest meat packing facility. David Jagodzinske, president and CEO of American Foods Group, says the America’s Heartland Packing plant, near Wright City, Missouri, sources cattle from up to 500 miles away. “We’re really proud to be in the state […] The post America’s Heartland Packing ramping up production appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story