January 6, 2026

USDA says November dairy products production was mostly below the October totals, but higher than year-ago levels. Total cheese output was 1.22 billion pounds, 5.9% above 2024 but 3.4% below October.  Italian cheeses totaled 526 million pounds and American style cheeses totaled 474 million pounds.  The top cheese producing states are Wisconsin with 294.7 million […] The post November 2025 dairy production down, but still above 2024 appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Michigan Farm Bureau is working to strengthen farmer connections with consumers through the new Real Farmers, Real Answers effort. Promotion and Education Committee chair and Jackson County farmer Alysa Sanford tells Brownfield, “This is a great opportunity to not only reach out to consumers, but also train our county members to feel comfortable doing so […] The post Real Farmers, Real Answers: Michigan Farm Bureau helps tackle tough consumer questions appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

A farmer in southeast Nebraska says 2025 delivered a costly lesson about disease management. Logan Bredemeier, who’s a young farmer, says he chose not to apply fungicide to reduce input costs, but southern rust pressure devastated some of his corn crop. “With the disaster we had not applying, I think it’s getting baked into a […] The post Nebraska corn farmer rethinks fungicide use after southern rust damage appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

The chief economist for the Renewable Fuels Association says the U.S. ethanol blend rate hit a record high during the fall. Scott Richman tells Brownfield ethanol accounted for more than 11% of the nation’s gasoline supply in October. “This was the first time the ethanol blend rate exceeded 11% on a monthly basis, which is […] The post Expanding E15 use pushes ethanol blend rate to record levels appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Michigan State University researchers are developing more financial resources to help controlled environment growers succeed. Horticulture economics doctoral student Megan Burritt tells Brownfield, “Everybody is considering, as you’re trying to grow your agricultural commodity entity, should I buy a new tractor or should I invest in a new greenhouse?” “All of those things are really […] The post MSU research targets profitability and growth in controlled environment agriculture appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

The vice president of fertilizer with Stone X Group says the price of phosphate fertilizer isn’t likely to fall much in 2026.  Josh Linville says China’s restriction of phosphate exports continues to hurt global supplies. “They didn’t export from January until May of 2025.”  He says, “This year they’re talking about not exporting until August, […] The post Phosphate fertilizer prices expected to stay high in 2026 as China export limits persist appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

The USDA has a new chief economist.  Dr. Justin Benavidez has been selected to replace the retiring Dr. Seth Meyer. Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins says Benavidez brings strong policy experience, deep roots in production agriculture, and a clear understanding of the economic realities facing farmers and ranchers. Ethan Lane with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association […] The post Benavidez named USDA Chief Economist appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

An ag economist with University of Missouri Extension says the USDA’s latest ad-hoc assistance program will likely impact some acreage decisions this spring. Ben Brown says using planted acres to determine payment rates is the reason. “I just think it starts to get baked into people’s minds that there’s maybe a stronger safety net for […] The post Ag economist: USDA ad-hoc aid may shift corn, soybean planting decisions appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Ag tax credits will get attention in the Missouri Legislative session. State Senator Jason Bean from the Missouri Bootheel has pre-filed a bill (SB 864) that would address the sunset on tax credits for meat processing, biofuel production and retail sales, higher ethanol fuels and more. “It’s time for those sunsets to just go away. […] The post Missouri lawmakers eye extension of key ag tax credits in 2026 legislative session appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story