Iran threatens to retaliate after the U.S. military on Monday blockaded Iranian ports in the Straight of Hormuz, but Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says there are reasons for some optimism. “It seems like Iran is ready to come back to the table and talk,” Grassley says. “If it has that positive outcome and we get […] View Full Story
The Iowa football program will vacate four wins from the 2023 season following a ruling by the NCAA. It involves improper contact with former quarterback Cade McNamara before he entered the transfer portal while at Michigan in late 2022. The Hawkeyes were 4-1 with McNamara as a starter prior to his season ending knee injury […] View Full Story
USDA officials are criticizing fertilizer companies for idling production amid the conflict in the Middle East. Secretary Brooke Rollins told reporters Monday competition in the marketplace has declined. “The farmers continue to barely survive year to year, while at the same time, these companies that are now consolidated show an increase in profitability every time […] The post Fertilizer prices under fire: USDA targets industry consolidation, supply cuts appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story
An agronomy specialist says a new tool from Ohio State University Extension can help farmers manage rising nitrogen fertilizer costs. Rachel Henry says the Corn Nitrogen Rate Calculator determines the correct application rate needed for each field. “The tool will actually take different data sets from different on-farm research trials,” she says. “The more data […] The post Ohio State calculator helping farmers maximize nitrogen fertilizer use appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story
Cash dairy prices were steady-to-higher on Tuesday, except for block cheese at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Dry whey was unchanged at $0.71. No sales were recorded. Forty-pound cheese blocks were down $0.0075 at $1.5750. Four sales were recorded, ranging from $1.55 to $1.5775. Cheese barrels remained unchanged at $1.5750. No sales were recorded. Butter was up $0.0450 at $1.79. Twenty-three sales were recorded, ranging from $1.7425 to $1.79. Nonfat dry milk was up $0.0075 at $2.14. One sale was recorded at that price. The post Cash dairy prices mostly steady to higher Tuesday appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story
A recent survey from the American Farm Bureau Federation indicates the majority of U.S. farmers are experiencing stagnant or declining financial conditions. AFBF president Zippy Duvall says more than 5,700 producers participated and the results provide an eye-opening look at the realities farmers are facing today. “The results speak to the broader picture of a […] The post AFBF survey reveals mounting financial strain across U.S. agriculture appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story
Wet conditions have slowed the start of planting a little bit compared to last year. The U.S.D.A. crop report shows 1% of corn was planted by Sunday. That’s behind the 2% that was planted last year at this same time. The report shows no soybeans have been planted, which is behind 2025, when 1% had […] View Full Story
2025 saw continued improvement for Minnesota livestock producers. University of Minnesota Extension economist Pauline Van Nurden says new data shows hog, dairy, and beef operations all posted improved profitability. “Beef producers definitely, especially cow-calf producers, saw improved profitability. Hog producers also rebounding from some real challenges in 2023 especially. And dairy producers saw a good […] The post Minnesota beef, hog, and dairy producers post improved returns in 2025 appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story
An economist with CoBank says the U.S. farm economy is a mixed bag. “It’s not good, but it’s not dire,” Rob Fox recently told Brownfield. Fox says crop production has been increasing but demand could be problematic moving forward. “On the row crop side, we essentially have a situation where there is just too much […] The post Mixed outlook for ag economy as strong livestock, dairy offset crop market concerns appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story
Some farmers say they’re continuing to assess how expenses are impacting their bottom lines. Central Nebraska farmer Clay Govier says some operations are absorbing higher costs differently than others. “Your much larger farmers kind of have the economies of scale so they can, you know, buy fuel and fertilizer and have more storage options when […] The post Higher expenses force farmers to rethink input strategies and efficiency appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story
PO Box 413 | Wayne, Nebraska 68787 | 402.375.3700
