November 13, 2025

U.S. ethanol production backed off from the prior week’s all-time high. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says production averaged 1.075 million barrels per day, a decline of 48,000 on the week and 38,000 on the year. Iowa State University’s Center for Agricultural and Rural Development says the estimated operating margin for the average Iowa plant […] The post U.S. ethanol production pulls back from record levels as margins narrow appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Dairy farmers will be rewarded for their voluntary carbon reduction efforts as part of a new program with Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative. Jen Block, director of value chain partnerships, tells Brownfield the EmPower+ program gives farmers the tools and metrics they need to verify environmental improvements. “We know dairy farmers have been improving efficiency and sustainability […] The post Dairy farmers rewarded for emission improvements through EmPower+ appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

An ag economist says tighter margins have made it more difficult for farmers to pay off equipment debt.  David Widmar with Agricultural Economic Insights says farm machinery interest rates have hit an all-time high. “Almost $160 of interest expense is going to be accumulated over the life of a $1,000 worth of farm machinery debt,” he says. “If […] The post Farm machinery interest at an all-time high, continues to squeeze profit margins appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza continues to impact commercial poultry facilities in northern Indiana.  The Indiana State Board of Animal Health says the latest cases have been confirmed in five commercial egg layer operations in LaGrange and Elkhart counties and a commercial meat duck facility in LaGrange County. In total, more than 138,000 birds have been depopulated. A 6.2-mile […] The post New cases of HPAI confirmed in northern Indiana, brings total to more than 450,000 birds impacted  appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

A pair of Illinois hemp growers say the federal government’s move to redefine hemp and outlaw beneficial products like CBD is a shock. Stacy McCaskill, founder of Hempstock Pharms in northeastern Illinois, tells Brownfield that President Trump’s September social media post touting the benefits of CBD was a high point for the industry. “It said […] The post Illinois hemp growers say federal hemp ban delivers shock to CBD industry appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

A west central Minnesota farmer is feeling fortunate as the harvest season ends. Anne Schwagerl farms near Beardsley. “A week ago we wrapped up our harvest and we were in a pocket that did okay. But we didn’t have to go too far to the east of us and south to get some really nasty […] The post West central Minnesota farmer wraps up harvest, counts blessings after wet season appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

The U.S. government shutdown has ended, and an ag policy analyst says it will take time for business at the USDA to get back to normal. Jim Wiesemeyer tells Brownfield “At least they’re back. I think their initial focus is on the food stamp or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and the Women, Infants and […] The post U.S. government reopens appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story