April 1, 2026

A pair of Kansas farmers say weather conditions are already taking a toll on this year’s winter wheat crop. Ben Bellar, in the southeast part of the state, says some of his fields have 5 to 10 percent freeze damage. “Our wheat is starting to perk up a little bit. You can definitely see some […] The post Kansas farmers report freeze damage, early drought stress on wheat crop appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

As April 1 rolls around each year, I’m mentally transported back to 1985 when I went from student teaching in a high school ag classroom to work at a local radio station. While some people mark the day with pranks and punchlines, for me it’s always been a moment to take stock and recognize another […] The post Cheers to another year in Farm Radio appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Oat seeding is underway in south-central Minnesota. Good Thunder area farmer Sam Ziegler tells Brownfield he used a high-speed disc on corn stubble last fall in preparation for his first year of growing oats. “And it really set the ground up very well for just planting directly into it this spring. So we no-till drilled […] The post Minnesota farmer plants first oat crop amid new milling opportunity appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

U.S. ethanol production and stocks both shrank over the past week. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says production 1.075 million barrels per day, the lowest in about two months and down 41,000 on the week but up 12,000 on the year. The Iowa State University Center for Agricultural and Rural Development says the estimated operating […] The post Ethanol production, supply dip as weekly demand looks mostly positive appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

The USDA says there will be an increase in cotton plantings this spring, higher than some were expecting. Jody Campiche with the National Cotton Council says a boost in cotton prices likely helped. “The NCC did our survey back in mid-December to mid-January. At that time, growers said they were going to plant 9 million […] The post USDA forecasts more cotton acres as prices rise—but drought could affect the crop appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Iowa’s Ag Secretary has been traveling the state visiting with farmers and says one word captures how many are feeling. “Well concern, absolutely.” Mike Naig tells Brownfield fuel and fertilizer price shocks have caught many off guard. “Now look, let’s be honest a lot of those prices farmers had locked in last year. But you […] The post Iowa ag secretary warns of “death by a thousand cuts” for farmers appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

An ag economist says it was not a surprise USDA forecast U.S. corn acreage above most pre-report expectations. Megan Roberts with Compeer Financial tells Brownfield many farmers had their planting intentions set by the end of last fall. “Oftentimes, you have locked into that seed, you’ve locked into your fertilizer choices, you’ve made some of […] The post Early farmer decisions drive higher-than-expected corn planting estimate appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

An ag policy expert says cuts to some USDA programs could limit farmland access for the next generation of ag producers. Amanda Koehler managed the recently eliminated USDA Land, Capital, and Market Access Network. “This really was the only program designed to address the challenges in accessing capital, credit, and the barriers to accessing markets,” […] The post Access to farmland at risk for young farmers after USDA program cuts appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story