September 30, 2025

The USDA says farmers made and paid a little bit more in August than they did in July. The USDA’s index of prices received was up 1% on the month thanks to gains in cattle, calves, strawberries, and lettuce, against losses in corn, broilers, market eggs, and grapes. The index of prices paid was 0.9% […] The post USDA: August farm prices rise slightly, but input costs still outpace gains appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

The dean of the College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences (ACES) at the University of Illinois says it’s a record-breaking fall. German Bollero tells Brownfield, “For the first time in 60 years, we’re over 3,000 undergraduate students in the college.”  He says, “About 670 freshmen, plus almost 200 transfer students, so very excited about […] The post Tech-driven ag careers help fuel record enrollment at U of I’s College of ACES appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

A professor at Colorado State University says USMCA renegotiations could be an opportunity to ease trade tensions and expand market access for farmers. Amanda Countryman says Mexico and Canada remain two of the largest U.S. agricultural trading partners. But, “There has been a lack of progress towards improved U.S. market access in general around the […] The post Addressing trade barriers critical for future of U.S. ag exports appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

A southwest Iowa farmer says he’s cautiously optimistic about his corn crop despite some disease pressure that developed throughout the growing season. Lee Brooke tells Brownfield southern rust was prevalent heading into fall. “We had a lot of southern rust move in this summer like a lot of the area and Midwest did,” he said. […] The post Iowa corn farmer says fungicide helped offset southern rust pressure appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

A southwest Iowa cattle producer says 2025 has been a profitable year. Lee Brooke from Clarinda says he’s hopeful market prices will remain favorable through winter. “Feeder calf market is staying real hot,” he said. “Personally, we weaned our about three weeks ago, we’re getting them going good now, all worked, in the building, and […] The post Low feed costs, strong prices drive profits for Iowa cattle producer appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

A meteorologist with the National Weather Service says unseasonably warm temperatures and a lack of rainfall are expected to continue across the Eastern Corn Belt into October. Logan Clark tells Brownfield, “That pattern has manifested itself for a good chunk of August and has continued into September. We will probably see that continue through at […] The post Unseasonably warm weather expected to continue across Eastern Corn Belt appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

The USDA says farmers will produce a little more wheat in 2025 than 2024. Production for all types of wheat is seen 1.984 billion billion bushels, less than 1% larger than last year, with an improved national yield, now at 53.3 bushels per acre, expected to cancel out declines in planted and harvested area to […] The post USDA projects slight wheat crop rise in 2025 on higher yields, despite smaller acreage appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

The executive director of the Illinois Pork Producers Association says the industry’s labor challenges remain top of mind. Jennifer Tirey says utilization of federal work visa programs remains high. “We’ve seen an uptick in the approval rates for our TN visa program, especially with the Animal Breeder title.”  She says, “That’s something that’s really prevalent […] The post Illinois pork leaders advocate for federal visa reform to address workforce gaps appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story