January 7, 2026

A recent study shows Illinois dairy farms are continuing to have negative economic returns.  Bradley Zwilling with the University of Illinois and the Farm Business Farm Management Association tells Brownfield there are some bright spots. “This is looking at 2024 but includes projections for ’25 and ’26, but we did see some higher milk prices […] The post Study shows dairy costs remain high appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

The executive director of the Illinois Farm Service Agency says eligible row crop farmers should have an easy time receiving payments from the upcoming $11 billion Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) Program. William Graff tells Brownfield, “These are going to be mailed out the week of February 23rd.”  He says, “You’re able to come into the […] The post FBA signup expected to be simple for farmers appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

An ag economist says ongoing tariff policy uncertainty has led to a decline in this month’s Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer. Professor emeritus Jim Mintert says producers are still concerned about the loss of soybean market share to China.  “Fifty-two percent of respondents said they thought soybean exports over the next five years would remain about the same or actually decrease,” he says. “Over half of […] The post Farmer sentiment declines as farmers become more concerned about tariffs and soybean exports appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Water regulations in the Land of 10,000 Lakes have the attention of the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association. MSGA president Darin Johnson, who farms near Wells, says the Department of Natural Resources is updating the Public Waters Inventory. “And making sure that we have regulatory certainty.” The Public Waters Inventory will be updated over eight years, […] The post Minnesota Soybean Growers watching DNR Public Waters Inventory update closely appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Soybeans were higher on short covering and technical buying. Beans continue to watch weather in South America, including chances for better rain coverage in parts of Argentina. Weather in Brazil generally looks favorable in most areas. There’s also been ongoing position squaring ahead of the USDA numbers out January 12th, including the supply and demand […] The post Soybeans, corn, wheat climb, watching world weather, demand appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were lower on profit taking, waiting for direct business to develop.  February live cattle closed $2.10 lower at $234.52 and April live cattle closed $2.20 lower at $235.17.  March feeder cattle closed $3.52 lower at $355.50 and April feeder cattle closed $3.45 lower at $354.67.  It […] The post Cattle, hog futures pressured at midweek appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

The President and CEO of the Animal Agriculture Alliance is encouraging farmers to take a digital audit of their operations. Hannah Thompson Wieman tells Brownfield animal activists are turning to artificial intelligence to create negative content from information farmers themselves are providing online. “What is out there about your farm?” she says farmers need to be asking. “What is […] The post Farmers urged to conduct digital audits amid rising AI-driven animal activism appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

An agronomist says farmers will need to closely evaluate which input dollars have the most return on investment this growing season.  AgroLiquid’s Stephanie Zelinko tells Brownfield, “Be smart with soil tests.” “Reallocate those dollars where they’re to make the most difference, and then hopefully that’s going to lead to a better yield,” she encourages. Zelinko […] The post Agronomist encourages smarter input spending to boost crop yields appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Mar. corn $4.46 and 3/4, up 2 and 3/4 centsMar. soybeans $10.67, up 10 and 3/4 centsMar. soybean meal $305.40, up $5.90Mar. soybean oil 49.31, down 9 pointsMar. Chicago wheat $5.18, up 7 and 1/2 centsFeb. live cattle $234.52, down $2.10Mar. feeder cattle $355.50, down $3.52Feb. lean hogs $84.80, down 87 centsFeb. Class III milk […] The post Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: January 7, 2026 appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

The chief economist for the Renewable Fuels Association says the outlook for U.S. ethanol exports is strong. “We’ve seen good, solid growth over the last few years,” RFA’s Scott Richman said. Richman says the U.S. continues to break yearly export records. “A little bit over a third goes to Canada,” he said. “Very solid, very […] The post Ethanol exports remain a strong demand driver, economist says appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story