December 17, 2025

Senator Ernst accompanied remains of slain Iowa soldiers from Germany back to U.S.

A ceremony was held in Delaware early this afternoon as the bodies of two Iowa soldiers who were killed Saturday in Syria were returned to American soil. Sergeant Nate Howard of Marshalltown and Sergeant Edgar Torres-Tovar of Des Moines were among the 1800 Iowa National Guard soldiers who deployed to the Middle East in May. […] View Full Story

Whole milk return to schools may boost dairy demand and tighten butter supplies

A school milk supplier says USDA guidelines can cause dramatic ripple effects when changes are made. Dairy Farmers of America Southwest Group Vice President Tim Hawk tells Brownfield when whole milk was removed from school menus in 2010, students reacted. “The decline was steep, and the decline was quick,” he shares. “Kids aren’t used to […] The post Whole milk return to schools may boost dairy demand and tighten butter supplies appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Corn futures bounce with help from record week for ethanol production

Soybeans were lower on fund and technical selling. It was an up and down session, with beans monitoring weather in South America and domestic product prices. Soybean meal futures were lower on technical weakness, while soybean oil closed firm, partially on the bounce in crude oil. The new export demand from China continues to fall […] The post Corn futures bounce with help from record week for ethanol production appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Mixed livestock markets as cattle fall and hogs face pressure

Chicago Mercantile Exchange live and feeder cattle futures ended the session lower, with boxed beef down at midday, waiting for direct business and Friday’s USDA Cattle on Feed report. February live cattle were down $1.15 at $229.55 and April was $1.15 lower at $229.12. January feeders were $1.80 lower at $341.52 and March was down […] The post Mixed livestock markets as cattle fall and hogs face pressure appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: December 17, 2025

Mar. corn $4.40 and 1/2, up 4 centsJan. soybeans $10.58 and 1/4, down 4 and 1/2 centsJan. soybean meal $298.20, down $4.20Jan soybean oil 48.52, up 16 pointsMar. Chicago wheat $5.06 and 1/4, down 3 and 1/4 centsFeb. live cattle $229.55, down $1.15Jan. feeder cattle $341.52, down $1.80Feb. lean hogs $83.00, down $1.77Jan. Class III […] The post Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: December 17, 2025 appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

From tongue to tripe: overseas markets fuel value for U.S. variety meats

The U.S. Meat Export Federation is celebrating another year of strong demand for variety meats. USMEF senior vice president of industry relations John Hinners says products that aren’t necessarily popular domestically are bringing great value overseas. “Beef tongue, the beef liver, stomach (and) tripe. These are all items that are really good protein and really […] The post From tongue to tripe: overseas markets fuel value for U.S. variety meats appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Iowa National Guard soldiers killed in Syria being prepared for final resting place

President Trump, Governor Reynolds and five members of Iowa’s congressional delegation were part of today’s silent, somber tribute to the two Iowa National Guard sergeants who were killed last Saturday in Syria. Twenty-nine-year-old Nate Howard of Marshalltown, 25-year-old Edgar Torres-Tovar of Des Moines and a civilian interpreter from Michigan were killed by an ISIS gunman […] View Full Story

Farm labor shortages drive higher food prices, Michigan State research finds

New research from Michigan State University connects farm worker wages to rising food costs and the loss of agricultural production. Farm labor economist Zack Rutledge says a 10 percent decline in farm employment leads to a nearly three percent uptick in food prices. “And we have a specialty crop sector that’s worth about $115 billion […] The post Farm labor shortages drive higher food prices, Michigan State research finds appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

USDA reports big week-to-week surges in broiler sets, placements

Broiler sets and placements remain aggressive as 2025 draws to a close. The USDA says 251.382 million broiler-type eggs were set into incubation, rising 3.419 million on the week and 1% on the year, with average hatchability of 79.8%. Placements of broiler-type chicks into meat production were 196.616 million head, up 1.009 million from the […] The post USDA reports big week-to-week surges in broiler sets, placements appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Illinois livestock economist urges price protection despite strong cattle markets

An assistant professor at the University of Illinois says increased volatility in the cattle markets is leading more producers to explore risk management strategies. Brittney Goodrich, who specializes in livestock for the FarmDoc team, tells Brownfield, “Even in these times where we have really high prices for cattle, we still need to be cognizant that […] The post Illinois livestock economist urges price protection despite strong cattle markets appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story