March 27, 2026

An agricultural economist with the National Corn Growers Association says constraints to fertilizer supplies caused by the Middle East conflict are compounding an already challenging financial picture for farmers. Gretchen Kuck says 2026 is projected to be the fourth straight year of negative returns for corn growers. “Right now, it takes about 145 bushels of […] The post NCGA economist says fertilizer cost spikes muddy acreage picture appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

The Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee says changes to the nutrition program are needed as farm bill negotiations continue. Minnesota Democrat Amy Klobuchar tells Brownfield there are SNAP shifts in the One Big Beautiful Bill related to state responsibility for benefit costs that need to be undone. “The entire Midwest was totally […] The post Klobuchar pushes to address SNAP cost shifts in ongoing farm bill negotiations appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Cash dairy prices were mostly lower on Friday at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.    Dry whey was unchanged at $0.69.  No sales were recorded.  Forty-pound cheese blocks were down $0.0375 at $1.5825.  Seven sales were recorded, ranging from $1.5750 to $1.59.  Cheese barrels were down $0.0075 at $1.5650.  Two sales were recorded at that price.  Butter was down $0.02 at $1.8250.  Seventeen sales were recorded, ranging from $1.8225 to $1.84.  Nonfat dry milk was down $0.0150 at $1.9225.  Seventeen sales were recorded, ranging from $1.9225 to $1.9375.  The post Cash dairy prices fell Friday appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

An ag economist says uncertainty around fertilizer cost and availability is putting the most pressure on small and mid-sized farms. Jayson Beckman, Michael Yanney Chair of the Clayton Yeutter Institute of International Trade and Finance with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln says those producers can’t absorb higher costs as easily. “They make their living off the […] The post Smaller farms most vulnerable to fertilizer cost and supply disruptions appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

One of the largest egg farms in the United States caught fire Thursday night in north-central Iowa. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office tells Brownfield that additional details about the incident at Hawkeye Pride Egg Farm near Corwith are not yet available. Hawkeye Pride processes eggs from approximately 6 million hens on site, according to Iowa […] The post Fire impacts major Iowa egg farm housing millions of hens appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Farmers in South Dakota who were impacted by the mid-March winter storms are encouraged to quickly report losses to the USDA if they want financial assistance. Livestock deaths or reduced value livestock sales can be eligible for reimbursement through the Livestock Indemnity Program. The Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) helps […] The post SD farmers urged to report winter storm losses to USDA for disaster aid appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Celebrating 35 years of building demand and creating new opportunities for soybean farmers. This week we’re talking with Sandy Ludeman and looking back at more than three decades of farmer-led investments in research, innovation, and market development. Learn more in today’s checkoff chat. The post Celebrating 35 years of USB with Sandy Ludeman  appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

An agricultural economist at the University of Illinois says he’s concerned that climbing fertilizer prices may impact farmers’ ability to adequately manage crops in 2027. Nick Paulson says a drawn-out conflict in the Middle East would seriously threaten global supplies. “Even if the conflict was wrapped up here in the next couple of days, these […] The post Ag economist concerned about input picture for 2027 crops appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

A farmer in eastern Arkansas says he’s concerned about the ongoing dry conditions as the planting season begins. “I think we’re 15 to 20 inches deficient of rainfall right now.” Nathan Reed tells Brownfield it’s a big change from previous years, including last year, when record rains and flooding impacted farms across the Delta. Reed […] The post Eastern Arkansas farmer warns of severe drought as planting season begins appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Preliminary research at Michigan State University had found a low risk of forever chemicals in agricultural soils. MSU AgBioResearch PFAS Outreach Specialist Katie King says samples last year from 17 fields were tested to help set a baseline for PFAS chemicals. “They’ve had regular fertilizer and pesticide usage, but there is no reason to believe […] The post Michigan State study early results find low PFAS risk in farm soils appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story