February 18, 2026

A hog farmer from western Missouri says herd health now determines whether producers stay in business. “If we get a Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome virus or a Porcine epidemic diarrhea, it costs us so many millions of dollars.” Scott Phillips tells Brownfield prevention is a priority for his two sow farms in Cass County, […] The post Herd health key to staying in business appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were mixed waiting on direct business and ahead of Friday’s On Feed report from the USDA. April live cattle closed $.27 lower at $242.52 and June live cattle closed $.02 lower at $238.42.  March feeder cattle were lower, down $.40 at $370.57 and April feeder cattle […] The post Cattle futures mixed ahead of On Feed report appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

The USDA’s broiler hatchery numbers continue to point to rising production in 2026. 254.35 million broiler-type eggs were set into incubators, an increase of 993,000 on the week and 2% on the year, with average hatchability of 79.1%, generally in-line with recent weeks. 195.754 million broiler-type chicks were placed into meat production, down 445,000 from […] The post Broiler hatchery numbers hold faster than last year pace appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

A western Iowa pork producer says profitability is helping boost morale across the industry. Aaron Juergens manages more than 100,000 nursery and finishing pig spaces for Sunburst Valley Farms near Carroll. “It was a better year for pork producers. There was money being made and that was due to the fact that we’ve been working really hard […] The post Stronger demand helps pork industry rebound from tough years appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Mar. corn $4.27, up 3/4 centMar. soybeans $11.33 and 1/2, down 1/2 centMar. soybean meal $303.90, down $1.90Mar. soybean oil 58.59, up 130 pointsMar. Chicago wheat $5.47, up 9 and 1/4 centsApr. live cattle $242.52, down 27 centsMar. feeder cattle $370.57, down 40 centsApr. lean hogs $92.55, up 25 centsMar. Class III milk closed at […] The post Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: February 18, 2026 appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

One lawmaker says a year-round E15 deal could get done soon. Iowa Congressman Randy Feenstra, a member of the House Rural Domestic Energy Council, says the group had a positive meeting on Wednesday. “This is full on, year round E15 and we worked with the small, midsized and large refiners,” Feenstra says. “We worked with […] The post Vote on E15 could come soon, Feenstra says appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Iowa’s state climatologist says weather outlooks through the first week of March are favorable for farmers across the Midwest. Justin Glisan tells Brownfield, “For much of the Upper Midwest and ag belt, there’s a significant signal for warmer and wetter conditions. This would be a great signal to see given how dry we’ve been over […] The post Snow drought, above-normal temps shape Midwest weather outlook appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story