October 29, 2025

Four ‘Iowa Blue Ribbon Schools’ honored

Three of the state’s elementary schools and a middle school are in the inaugural 2025 class of “Iowa Blue Ribbon Schools.” Governor Kim Reynolds led a ceremony in Des Moines to honor schools in the Albia, Dubuque, George Little Rock and College Community districts. “Having a strong educational foundation early on sets students up for a […] View Full Story

‘Really concerning’: Iowa Farm Bureau president says Trump actions trigger market swings

The president of Iowa Farm Bureau is pointing blame at the Trump administration for the recent collapse in cattle markets. Brent Johnson says President Trump’s proposal to import beef from Argentina and remarks on Truth Social prodding cattle producers to “get their prices down” while taking credit for improving the U.S. cattle market have had […] The post ‘Really concerning’: Iowa Farm Bureau president says Trump actions trigger market swings appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

University of Minnesota expert: lasers show promise, but data lacking for poultry use

Some in the poultry industry are using lasers to keep wild birds away from farm sites. University of Minnesota Extension Agricultural and Natural Resource Systems program leader Dr. Abby Schuft suggests all options are on the table as producers try to protect flocks from carriers of highly pathogenic avian influenza. “There’s a lot of research-based […] The post University of Minnesota expert: lasers show promise, but data lacking for poultry use appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Soybeans mostly weak ahead of Trump-Xi talks

Soybeans were mostly modestly lower on spread trade and profit taking. Soybeans continued to get ready for Thursday’s face-to-face meeting between President Trump and President Xi on trade and tariffs. China reportedly bought 180,000 tons of U.S. soybeans ahead of Wednesday’s session, their first purchase this marketing year and likely a show of good faith […] The post Soybeans mostly weak ahead of Trump-Xi talks appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Cattle futures close sharply higher, lean hogs were lower

At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle futures were sharply higher, buying back part of the recent losses, with help from the midday gains in boxed beef. However, this was just a part of those recent losses and contracts closed below the session highs due to the recent sharply lower cash business. December […] The post Cattle futures close sharply higher, lean hogs were lower appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Pritzker directs agencies to boost domestic markets and mental health support for Illinois ag

The governor of Illinois has issued an executive order declaring an agricultural export crisis. J.B. Pritzker signed an order on Wednesday directing state agencies to take immediate action to enhance domestic markets for agricultural commodities and continue investment in mental health support for farm families. ​ Pritzker says the move is a result of the […] The post Pritzker directs agencies to boost domestic markets and mental health support for Illinois ag appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: October 29, 2025

Dec. corn $4.34, up 2 centsNov. soybeans $10.80 and 1/4, up 2 centsDec. soybean meal $308.70, up $2.20Dec. soybean oil 50.16, down 10 pointsDec. Chicago wheat $5.32 and 1/4, up 3 and 1/4 centsDec. live cattle $230.90, up $4.32Nov. feeder cattle $342.07, up $8.67Dec. lean hogs $80.77, down 5 centsNov. Class III milk closed at […] The post Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: October 29, 2025 appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Fall migration increasing threat of HPAI to Illinois poultry flocks; first case of season detected

The Illinois state veterinarian says the fall migration season is bringing an increased risk of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) to the state’s poultry producers. Dr. Mark Ernst tells Brownfield, “We’re starting to see more cases throughout the nation.”  He says, “We did just receive our first detection in a backyard flock here in Illinois […] The post Fall migration increasing threat of HPAI to Illinois poultry flocks; first case of season detected appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Farm Bureau Seeks Answers on What FSA Can Do During Government Shutdown

A farm organization is trying to find out what the Farm Service Agency’s limitations are during the government shutdown. American Farm Bureau Federation’s John Newton tells Brownfield their team is meeting with USDA officials this week to discuss priorities, “and what they can and cannot do for our members as they’re going in there and […] The post Farm Bureau Seeks Answers on What FSA Can Do During Government Shutdown appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Ethanol output dips but stays strong, Gulf stock build might signal export growth

U.S. ethanol production eased slightly over the past week. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says production averaged 1.091 million barrels per day, down 21,000 from the near one-year high hit the previous week, but up 9,000 from a year ago as producers try to meet expected demand. Ethanol stocks of 22.367 million barrels rose 448,000 […] The post Ethanol output dips but stays strong, Gulf stock build might signal export growth appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story