February 17, 2026

The U.S. pork industry has been developing a National Swine Health Strategy. Meredith Petersen with the National Pork Board says the strategy should help producers monitor and detect diseases, including Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome and Porcine epidemic diarrhea, African Swine Fever and Foot and Mouth Disease. “This is a set of swine health priorities […] The post National Swine Health Strategy aims to boost biosecurity, reduce hog disease risk appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

The USDA is proposing updates to federal line speed regulations in poultry and pork processing.  The proposed changes would allow eligible facilities to operate at speeds supported by their processes, equipment, and food safety performance.  USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service would maintain full oversight.  Inspectors would maintain the ability to slow or stop operations whenever […] The post USDA seeks to modernize line speed rules to support food safety and reduce production bottlenecks appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Sales of E15 in Minnesota broke records for a fifth straight year in 2025. Minnesota Biofuels Association executive director Brian Werner says the total of more than 144 million gallons eclipsed the previous record by more than one percent. “And it’s also the fourth straight year in which we’ve seen numbers above 100 million gallons. […] The post Minnesota E15 sales hit record high for fifth consecutive year appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were up sharply ahead of the week’s direct business and Friday’s On Feed report from the USDA. April live cattle closed $2.17 higher at $242.80 and June live cattle closed $2.30 higher at $238.45.  March feeder cattle closed $4.82 higher at $370.97 and April feeder cattle […] The post Cattle, hog futures sharply higher appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Soybeans were modestly higher on short covering and technical buying. Argentina’s crop condition rating declined again due to dry weather, but rain in the forecast could stabilize things, at least somewhat. Brazil’s record harvest is ongoing, with generally favorable conditions expected over the near-term in many areas. The trade’s also waiting for signs of new […] The post Wheat sees decline on dollar, possible Plains precipitation appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Mar. corn $4.26 and 1/4, down 5 and 1/2 centsMar. soybeans $11.34, up 1 centMar. soybean meal $305.80, down $3.40Mar. soybean oil 57.29, up 21 pointsMar. Chicago wheat $5.37 and 3/4, down 11 centsApr. live cattle $242.80, up $2.17Mar. feeder cattle $370.97, up $4.82Apr. lean hogs $92.30, up $1.02Mar. Class III milk closed at $15.93, […] The post Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: February 17, 2026 appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

The executive director of the Soy Transportation Coalition says recent mild weather has help improve conditions for moving agricultural commodities. Mike Steenhoek tells Brownfield extreme cold and winter weather events can be problematic for rail and barge equipment. “Ice and snow accumulation on railroad tracks have to be cleared,” he said. “And of course frigid […] The post Warm weather improves ag transportation after winter slowdowns appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

A pair of agricultural economists say farm incomes continue to falter.  Danny Munch, economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation, says the updated farm income forecast from the USDA is not promising.  “Major revisions in this new 2026 report.”  He says, “Last year, we originally had expectations for about $180 billion in net farm income, […] The post Ag economists see 2026 as pivotal year appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Processing facilities are adapting to meet the needs of today’s livestock production.  Wisconsin beef producer Brady Zuck tells Brownfield animals are headed to slaughter at heavier weights. “We do know that today, our nation’s cow herd is extremely tight. You know, we don’t have a lot of excess cattle around, and I think the packing […] The post Beef processors, producers both changing with the times appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story