March 11, 2026

A Democratic member of the U.S. House Ag Committee says she voted to approve the farm bill because farmers need policy that reflects the realities of operating in 2026. Michigan’s Kristen McDonald Rivet says, “Our family farmers have been stretched to the absolute breaking point, often getting silence from Washington.” “The rules are outdated, the […] The post Michigan Democrat says Congress has an obligation to keep moving the farm bill forward appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

A farm bill of missed opportunities.  Illinois Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski, a Democratic member of the House Ag Committee, says there were several reasons she voted against the Farm Bill 2.0 proposal that recently passed out of committee. “We’re hearing indications that the Senate might be looking to take out some of the more poison pills […] The post Congresswoman says Farm Bill 2.0 proposal misses opportunities appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Ethanol production rose last week, and demand signals were mostly bullish. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says ethanol production averaged 1.126 million barrels per day, the highest in two months, up 31,000 on the week and 64,000 on the year. Margins are in positive territory, and the industry continues to expect strong domestic and export […] The post Ethanol production hits two month high, supply sinks to one month low appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Expanding biomanufacturing means expanding markets. Beth Conerty, regional innovation officer with the iFAB tech hub, says biomanufacturing is a key for driving domestic demand for row crops. “It’s taking plant material and turning it into value-added chemicals, compounds, fuels, and ingredients.”  She says, “Being in central Illinois, often that plant material is corn dextrose or […] The post Biomanufacturing seen as key for driving domestic crop demand appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

The U.S. Senate is considering a bill that would address DEF system shutdowns in agriculture equipment. During a recent Environment and Public Works Committeehearing, Senator Pete Ricketts of Nebraska said the requirement is burdensome and unnecessary. “On top of failing engines, these failures can cost producers thousands of dollars in repairs and lost productivity. This […] The post Cold Weather Diesel Reliability Act targets DEF issues for farmers appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Leaders of the U.S. Senate Ag Committee say they’re concerned about the financial stress facing farmers. “If you’re putting something in the ground, you are probably losing money,” said Chairman John Boozman on Tuesday. The Arkansas Republican says row crops are not currently profitable. He says it’s having a major impact in his state. “Arkansas […] The post Boozman, Klobuchar raise concerns about farm economy appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story