March 4, 2026

Wisconsin’s FFA Foundation is working with state transportation officials to create an FFA license plate. Kendra Jentz tells Brownfield that several other states have FFA plates, but Wisconsin does not, and having the plates available would serve two purposes. “One, raise funds for the Wisconsin FFA but also to share the awareness.” Jentz says if […] The post Wisconsin FFA seeks special license plate appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

The associate director of the Midwestern Regional Climate Center says wetter than normal conditions heading into the spring planting season could help relieve some drought conditions. Melissa Widhalm says winter precipitation has been minimal. “We saw an expansion on the U.S. Drought Monitor in places like Missouri, southern Illinois, western Kentucky, and even into parts of […] The post Drought relief could be coming soon for much of the Midwest appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

A couple of months into 2026, broiler hatchery numbers continue to point to higher production than 2025. The USDA says 254.46 million broiler-type eggs were set into incubation, up 432,000 on the week and 2% on the year, with the average rate of hatchability at 78.5%. 193.977 million broiler-type chicks were placed into meat production, […] The post Cumulative broiler placements 2% ahead of last year appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

An extension ag economist is concerned the weight of South American production could flatten U.S. soybean prices. Chad Hart with Iowa State University says the Brazilian crop being harvested reminds him of last year’s U.S. corn crop. “In the case of the U.S., it was post-World War 2 record acreage combined with record yield that […] The post Brazil’s record soybean harvest adds pressure to U.S. prices appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

The Michigan FFA Association is experiencing the largest growth in FFA membership across the nation. Michigan FFA President Brent DeSaegher says this year is the first time in nearly 50 years the organization has included more than 10,000 members. “We are starting up three new chapters this year, and I can only see that number […] The post Chart Your Course, Michigan FFA navigating forward with new growth appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

A young farmer and dairy group leader says not having a succession plan puts the farm business and everyone involved at risk. Cassandra Strupp with the Professional Dairy Producers tells Brownfield the lack of succession plans is an epidemic and that today’s farm families should not wait until they are forced to hand off to […] The post Dairy leader calls lack of succession plans “epidemic” sized-problem appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Some farmers are finding savings on herbicide costs by incorporating cover crops.  Nathan Johanning, commercial agriculture educator with the University of Illinois Extension, says research shows that spring termination of cover crops can deter yield-robbing weeds. “A cover crop isn’t going to give you 100% weed control, but it can give you maybe 50% weed […] The post Farmers finding herbicide savings through cover crops appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

A survey of 400 farmers and ranchers from across the country shows rising concern about the overall direction of the ag economy.  Joana Colussi with Purdue University says there was a slight increase in overall farmer sentiment in the latest Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer, but, “Respondents are indicating that their farming operations were worse off in February […] The post Farmer sentiment increases, but long-term concerns about the ag economy remain appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

U.S. ethanol stocks swelled to a near one-year high last week. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says the domestic ethanol supply was the largest since last April at 26.337 million barrels, rising 691,000 on the week, but falling 952,000 on the year due to overall improvements in demand. The other weekly demand signals were mixed. […] The post Ethanol stocks, exports rise on week as production dips appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story