October 31, 2025

A federal judge says the Trump administration must continue funding food assistance benefits during the partial government shutdown. On Friday, the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts ruled that the USDA cannot suspend Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program—or SNAP—payments in November, citing a $6 billion contingency fund Congress set aside for that purpose. The ruling comes after […] The post Federal court blocks USDA plan to suspend food assistance payments appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Many local food banks across the country are struggling to keep shelves stocked as the future of SNAP benefits remains uncertain. Craig Gordy with the Oskaloosa Food Pantry in southeast Iowa says they’ve seen an increase in new users heading into November. “We’ve given away about almost 5,000 pounds of food in two days,” he […] The post Iowa food pantries see surge as SNAP benefits remain in limbo appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

An ag trade consultant says China must also address non-tariff trade barriers if U.S. agriculture is going to see widespread benefits from any trade deal between the two countries. “Otherwise, we can’t ship beef to China again.” Sharon Bomer Lauritsen says China became an important market for U.S. beef following the phase one trade deal. […] The post Trade expert: enforcement, non-tariff issues key to future U.S.-China ag success appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

The co-founder of AgMarket.net says the unknown details on soybean purchases in the announced trade framework between the U.S. and China matter greatly. Matt Bennett, who also farms in central Illinois, tells Brownfield, “Are we looking at 12 + 25, which would be 37 million metric tons. Is that going to happen by next January […] The post Clarity needed on China’s soybean commitments to boost market confidence appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Arkansas crop farmers are entering their third consecutive year of financial strains and an ag economist says it will take market creativity to survive. Ryan Loy with University of Arkansas Extension says production expenses continue to exceed total cash income. “It’s kind of a perfect recipe for a perfect storm. Prices for major Arkansas crops […] The post Rising costs and low prices push Arkansas crop farmers deeper into the red appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Two farmers in northeast South Dakota say corn harvest is advancing well. Doug Noem farms in Hamlin County and says the yields have been average and rains have helped the corn. “Corn is probably at 20 percent moisture. We like to get it to 15 percent. So we’ve been running it through the dryer.” Noem […] The post Corn harvest chugging along in South Dakota appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

The head of marketing at Nutrien Ag Solutions says a long-standing partnership with the National FFA Organization is an investment in the next generation of agricultural leaders. Brian Knifong tells Brownfield, “Farmers 2050 is a digital application where FFA chapters can have real interactions and real-life activity to try to simulate a real production agricultural […] The post Nutrien Ag Solutions launches Farmer 2050 to encourage the next generation of agriculture appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story