December 10, 2025

Broiler hatchery numbers were widely mixed over the past week. The USDA says 247.678 million broiler-type eggs were set into incubators, down 4.049 million on the week, at least partially due to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza leading to some flock depopulation, but still up 1% on the year. Average hatchability was 79.8%. 195.421 million broiler-type […] The post Big week-to-week differences in broiler sets, placements appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Among the many challenges that corn growers face every growing season, corn rootworms can be among the most damaging. In this Managing for Profit, DEKALB corn portfolio lead Matthew Strubhart discusses strategies for protecting yield from this costly pest. The post Corn Rootworm Strategies appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Some cattle producers say they’re very hesitant to expand their operations due to volatility in the industry. “Right now, the market tells us that we should be selling.” Frank Utter of Brewster says he’s in no hurry to purchase replacement heifers. “I think most people’s mindset right now is we can trade old for young, […] The post Producers weigh risks of investments to expand herd appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

A soil health specialist suggests growers in the Upper Midwest face unique challenges managing cover crops. Maria Teresa Tancredi with Minnesota-based non-profit Conservation Technology Information Center says a shorter growing season is a challenge. “For example, I know that several farmers (during) the fall of ’24 were able to have their cover crops established, but […] The post Upper Midwest farmers face “hit or miss” cover crop results appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

An agronomy expert says disease pressure was the biggest growing season issue for corn farmers in 2025. “Southern rust was a beast this year. Something we have never seen,” said BASF’s Mark Storr on Wednesday. Storr says the severity of southern rust was unexpected. “Southern rust decimated the plants so that tar spot couldn’t continue […] The post Agronomist says southern rust created unprecedented challenges for 2025 corn crop appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

U.S. ethanol production eased off its all-time high last week. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says production averaged 1.105 million barrels per day, a decline of 21,000 from the previous week’s record, but still 27,000 above a year ago. Iowa State University’s Center for Agricultural and Rural Development says the estimated operating margins for the […] The post Ethanol production backs off from record, stays above a year ago appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

A central Illinois farmer says marketing his crops is more challenging than ever. Ron Kindred, who grows corn and soybeans in Logan County, says volatile markets that can move on a social media post make financial planning even more difficult. “Some years you couldn’t make a mistake.”  He says, “We were lucky enough we had […] The post Central Illinois farmer says volatile markets make crop marketing tougher appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer says the US could withdraw from its tri-lateral trade deal with Canada and Mexico. He says there are several options heading into the review of the US-Canada-Mexico Agreement in 2026. “Could it be exited?” he says.  “Yes, it could be exited.  Could it be revised?  Yes.  Could it be renegotiated?  Yes.  That […] The post USMCA faces 2026 review, Greer says exit, revision, or renegotiation possible appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story