April 17, 2026

USDA’s Deputy Undersecretary says more than $9 billion has been distributed through the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program. Stephen Vaden tells Brownfield, “We have done so on average from receipt of a completed application within three business days.” “That money is directly deposited into producers’ bank accounts, that’s at a record pace,” he shares. Enrollment officially […] The post USDA grants $9 billion in farmer bridge assistance appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Minnesota 4-H is partnering with the Minnesota State Fair to renovate the 4-H building on the fairgrounds. Minnesota 4-H youth development state director Jennifer Skuza says the $35 million campaign will modernize the 85-year-old three story building. “The first major renovation that we’re going to experience in that building. So what we’ve been focusing on […] The post Historic Minnesota 4-H building set for major modernization appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Soybeans were modestly higher on short covering and technical buying, pulling contracts to a firm week-to-week finish. Contracts were down early but rallied on optimism about the expected U.S./China trade meeting next month. Brazil’s record harvest is almost over and Argentina’s crop rating improved over the past week, now at 48% good to excellent as […] The post Soybeans manage modestly higher close on optimism about China trade talks appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

An ag lobbyist says he’s not too concerned about the proposed spending cuts at the USDA for the next fiscal year, because historically “the executive branch proposes and the legislative branch disposes.” Randy Russell with the Russell Group says it’s important to look beyond the specifics of the budget proposal, and evaluate the administration’s priorities, […] The post Russell: Congress will shape USDA budget appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were lower ahead of the USDA’s Cattle on Feed numbers and watching direct business develop.  June live cattle closed $.27 lower at $247.35 and August live cattle closed $.25 lower at $242.82.  May feeder cattle closed $1.82 lower at $365.27 and August feeder cattle closed $2.85 […] The post Cattle, hog futures lower to finish the week appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

May corn $4.48 and 3/4, up 1/4 centMay soybeans $11.67 and 1/4, up 3 and 1/2 centsMay soybean meal $331.80, down 90 centsMay soybean oil 68.16, down 117 pointsMay Chicago wheat $5.91 and 1/4, down 7 and 1/4 centsJun. live cattle $247.35, down 27 centsMay feeder cattle $365.27, down $1.82Jun. lean hogs $101.05, down 62 […] The post Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: April 17, 2026 appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

An ag economist with Ohio State University says the Iranian conflict is having an impact on U.S. ag trade around the world. Ian Sheldon says President Trump recently threatened to walk back a signed trade agreement with the United Kingdom. “The IMF (International Monetary Fund) is forecasting the UK to suffer the most out of all of the […] The post Global conflict and trade shifts pressuring U.S. ag exports appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

The president of the Ohio Pork Council says the organization is helping address food insecurity through its annual Pork Power initiative. Nathan Schroeder says producers recently donated more than $5,000 to the Greater Cleveland Food Bank. “For every dollar that is donated to a food bank, it returns four dollars,” he says. “Pork is a […] The post Ohio Pork donates more than $5,000 to Cleveland-based food bank appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story