March 20, 2026

The USDA says U.S. milk production rose again in February. The National Agriculture Statistics Service says the 24 major milk-producing states made 17.6 billion pounds of milk, 3.1% more than a year ago and 3.6% higher than a month ago.  USDA also revised its January production figure to 19.1 billion pounds. Nationwide, production was 18.3 […] The post February milk production up again appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

The USDA’s Cattle on Feed report fell within pre-report expectations. Placements into U.S. feedlots during February 2026 were up 4% on the year at 1.611 million head, towards the high end of what analysts were anticipating, but February 2025 placements were skewed by winter weather issues and a Leap Day in 2024. Marketings were the […] The post Cattle placements rise 4% on year, marketings down 7% appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

A member of the House Ag Committee says he would support a second round of relief payments for farmers and ranchers. Don Bacon, a Republican from Nebraska, says the administration’s trade policy has had unintended consequences. “What happens when we put tariffs down, other countries punish our farmers. That’s what we’re good at. We can […] The post Bacon backs second round of farm aid, cites tariff impacts appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

An ag economist says volatility in the energy market could have a significant impact on farmers’ bottom line in 2026. David Widmar with Agricultural Economic Insights says he’s watching how higher diesel prices could have an effect on the overall ag economy. “If fuel prices go up, the cost of transporting things goes up, so […] The post Energy market volatility could impact the bottom line for farmers in 2026 appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Construction is underway on a new Soybean Cyst Nematode Diagnostics Lab at the University of Missouri. Mandy Bish, a plant pathologist at MU, says she will be directing the facility, and the lab will help streamline SCN testing. “Demand for nematode research, both with SCN and other nematodes, has increased by more than 100 percent […] The post New Soybean Cyst Nematode lab to expand SCN testing capacity appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

The president and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturer’s Association says the certainty alone of a new five-year farm bill could be an economic driver. Mark Denzler tells Brownfield, “Any business, whether you’re a farmer, or you’re a manufacturer, you would love certainty and stability and predictability.”  He says, “Within the manufacturing jobs, almost 20% are […] The post Illinois Manufacturers Association sees farm bill as opportunity to spur economic growth appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

It is unclear whether the Trump administration will make a major announcement on biofuels during an event next week. American Coalition for Ethanol members flew to Washington D.C. this week to meet with federal officials as part of its annual fly-in. ACE CEO Brian Jennings tells Brownfield the EPA did not confirm Renewable Volume Obligations […] The post EPA unaware of White House ag event, casting doubt on RVO reveal appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

An agribusiness group says ongoing tensions in the Middle East could cause long-term global supply disruptions for nitrogen fertilizer. Mike Seyfert, CEO of the National Grain and Feed Association says shipping constraints will continue to impact prices. “A lot of these vessels operate on the same route,” he says. “If you have to extend some of the […] The post Concerns about long-term nitrogen price hikes as Middle East tensions continue appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Cash dairy prices were higher except for cheese barrels on Friday at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.    Dry whey was up $0.0150 at $0.66. One sale was recorded at that price.  Forty-pound cheese blocks were up $0.0150 at $1.6625.  Two sales were recorded at $1.66 and $1.6625.  Cheese barrels remained unchanged at $1.57.  No sales were recorded.  Butter was up $0.0075, matching Wednesday’s price at $1.80.  Eight sales were recorded, ranging from $1.80 to $1.8325.  Nonfat dry milk was up $0.0250 at $1.87. Five sales were recorded, ranging from $1.8525 to $1.87.  The post Cash dairy prices end the week mostly higher appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story