May 18, 2026

Soybeans finished the day sharply higher, July contracts were 36 cents higher at $12.13.  Details emerged on Sunday from the trade deal between the U.S. and China.  The soybean market managed to recover most of last week’s losses late in the week.  Soybean export inspections were down from the prior week, but continue to run […] The post Soybeans, corn, wheat sharply higher to start the week appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

The former chairman of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee says there are still headwinds facing nationwide, year-round E15 legislation. Collin Peterson tells Brownfield he’s expecting legislation to have an uphill battle in the U.S. Senate. “Senator Boozman in Arkansas and others in Oklahoma are very concerned about this and how that’s, you bridge that divide with […] The post Peterson says year-round E15 legislation faces Senate hurdles, infrastructure challenges appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

NASA’s Earth Science Division Director says the agency is advancing its soil testing technology to deliver more precise field data. Dr. Karen St. Germain tells Brownfield, “We’re building our next-generation sensor, that I hope is really going to give us even more insight into soil health and nutrients.” She says NASA provides critical research for […] The post NASA pushes next-gen soil testing and Earth data appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

The director of food policy for the National Pork Producers Council says the Trump administration’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans, implemented at the beginning of the year, are benefiting farmers and ranchers. “Meat is back,” Dr. Ashley Johnson said at the NAFB’s 2026 Washington Watch. Johnson tells Brownfield a healthier diet starts with what farmers produce. […] The post NPPC backs updated Dietary Guidelines for Americans appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

The USDA has announced Colton Buckley as the Chief of its Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).  Buckley has previously served as Chief and as Associate Chief of NRCS, overseeing several of the agency’s areas and programs. He also previously worked as Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of Resource Conservation and Development Councils. Buckley succeeds […] The post USDA names Colton Buckley head of NRCS appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

The head of the U.S. Meat Export Federation says the U.S. and China have made major progress in expanding market access for American beef. Dan Halstrom says China has granted a five-year registration extension to 425 facilities. “This is what we’ve been waiting for really for almost a year now with these plants. This is […] The post China expands access for U.S. beef exports appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

A field crops entomologist is reminding farmers to add tick checks to their crop scouting routine. Chris DiFonzo with Michigan State University tells Brownfield, “When I would get out of the truck and go across a field border into a field, I never thought about ticks 30 years ago, where I grew up, or even […] The post Crop scouts advised to end field checks with tick checks as reports increase appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

2026 Minnesota Pork Promoter of the Year Lindsey Loken of Blondie’s Butcher Shop in Wanamingo, Minnesota, calls Grillfest the “Super Bowl of summer events” in Minnesota. She tells Brownfield that Minnesota Pork will be sponsoring the barbecue competition, and there will be plenty of pork on display. Grillfest is May 30th and 31st at CHS Field […] The post The Minnesota Porkcast: Grillfest – a summer treat featuring pork appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

An ag economist says new trading limits for cattle futures could bring additional volatility to the markets.   Josh Maples with Mississippi State University Extension says the changes go into place June 1, 2026.  “It absolutely does allow for bigger daily price swings, and it can lead to some larger margin requirements because of the risk there,” he says.  “So, it’s something traders are going […] The post Ag economist says CME’s new cattle futures limits could bring more volatility but also upside opportunities appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story