September 25, 2025

A Michigan Thumb-area farmer says harvest activity is starting to get underway. Matt Frostic tells Brownfield, “We’re just getting going with the crops. A few soybeans are starting to get harvested. Corn is still a few weeks away when it comes to shelling and dry corn. Some of the feed corn for silage is coming […] The post Harvest begins in east-central Michigan appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

U.S. poultry production saw a slight year-to-year decline during August 2025. The USDA says 4.484 billion pounds of poultry were certified wholesome last month, down 1% from August 2024, on a modest decline in chicken to 4.068 billion pounds and a 7% drop in turkey production to 405.141 million pounds. The chicken slaughter was 2% […] The post U.S. poultry production slips 1% in August 2025 appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

U.S. Senator Joni Ernst says corn and soybean producers need additional market access. “We have a lot of bushels out there and we need more trade. They want to see that they can get their products not just used domestically, but out there to the broader market around the world.” The Iowa Republican tells Brownfield […] The post Ernst discusses trade, biofuels expansion with President Trump appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Commercial red meat production dropped sharply in August 2025. The USDA says the total of 4.145 billion pounds was 10% below August 2024, led by a 12% decrease for beef to 2.017 billion pounds and an 8% decline in pork at 2.117 billion pounds. The cattle slaughter was 14% lower than last year at 2.333 […] The post August red meat production drops with big declines in beef and pork appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

A University of Illinois extension specialist in agricultural safety and health says more farmers are seeking mental health resources this year. Josie Rudolphi says the Illinois Agricultural Mental Health Voucher Program is a prime example. “Anybody who’s engaged in agriculture in the state of Illinois can receive three vouchers for professional behavioral health services.”  She […] The post Farmers turning to mental health resources as stress builds in ag sector appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

The U.S. hog herd got a little bit smaller over the past year. The USDA says that at the start of September 2025, the U.S. hog inventory was 1% below September 1st, 2024 at 74.472 million head, with the marketing herd 1% under last year at 68.538 million head and the breeding herd dipping 2% […] The post U.S. hog herd shrinks year-over-year, will likely fall further appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran of Kansas says the USDA is committed to providing resources to a vital biosecurity and research facility in the Midwest. He says Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden visited the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility at K-State this week. “As we transition out of the Plumb Island facility, we wanted to make certain […] The post Moran says USDA is committed to KSU’s agro-defense facility appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

The Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs at USDA says reviewing the USMCA agreement provides an opportunity to improve market access for American producers. Luke Lindberg says it’s allowed Mexico to become the top trading partner for the U.S., but the agreement could be stronger. “We knew there was going to be challenges […] The post Lindberg says USMCA review provides avenue to expand trade appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

The chief economist for the Renewable Fuels Association suggests last week’s four-month low in ethanol production is nothing to be alarmed about. Scott Richman tells Brownfield the dip was expected. “Normally ethanol plants do a little bit of maintenance before the corn harvest comes in, before they ramp up and start using that new crop […] The post Ethanol production drop expected ahead of record corn harvest appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story