May 21, 2026

An agricultural economist says with high fertilizer prices, it’s time to dial in what manure can do for crops. Paul Mitchell with the University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Agriculture and Life Sciences tells Brownfield it’s surprising how much variability there is when measuring nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus in manure. “It is definitely worth testing. If […] The post Economist says manure testing is wise as fertilizer costs rise appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

With the U.S. cattle herd still at historically low levels, the industry is watching closely for signs of meaningful expansion.   Lance Honig, chair of USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, says the July Cattle Inventory report should provide a clearer picture.  “We’re going to hear directly from the producers there as well in terms of what their inventory levels look like,” he […] The post NASS urges producer participation ahead of closely watched July cattle report appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

The head of the National Council of Agricultural Employers says a recent federal court decision brings more certainty to farms using the H-2A program. John Hollay tells Brownfield the U.S. Department of Labor’s reforms for H-2A guest worker wage calculations will remain in effect after the United Farm Workers was denied a preliminary injunction. “We’re […] The post Ag employer group says H-2A court ruling provides stability for farmers appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Soybeans were lower on fund and technical selling. Planting weather mostly looks favorable for much of the region into the end of the month. There’s also some expectation that planted area will top what the USDA was projecting in March. Export sales were up on the week, with unknown destinations leading the way on old […] The post Soybeans, corn decline further on weather, planting paces appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

A north Iowa farmer says crop emergence is better than a year ago. Josh Hitzhusen grows corn and soybeans near Rockwell and tells Brownfield stands were thin last year. “It’s not a perfect stand out there by any means, but that’s part of planting early and having four nights where it’s down in the low […] The post Better emergence, needed moisture encouraging for north Iowa farmer appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were sharply lower on technical liquidation ahead of the On Feed report from the USDA.  June live cattle closed $4.12 lower at $249.15 and August live cattle closed $5.95 lower at $239.35.  August feeder cattle closed $9.25 lower at $356.52 and September feeder cattle closed $9.25 […] The post Cattle futures drop sharply ahead of Friday’s On Feed report appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Jul. corn $4.62 and 1/4, down 3 and 1/2 centsJul. soybeans $11.94 and 1/4, down 5 and 1/2 centsJul. soybean meal $328.40, down $2.50Jul. soybean oil 73.87, down 79 pointsJul. Chicago wheat $6.47 and 1/2, down 13 centsJun. live cattle $249.15, down $4.12Aug. feeder cattle $356.52, down $9.25Jun. lean hogs $95.12, down $2.15Jun. Class III […] The post Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: May 21, 2026 appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

An elementary school in northeast Michigan is incorporating food and agriculture throughout its curriculum for everyday project-based learning experiences. Fifth-grade teacher Kelli Rau tells Brownfield, “My students are from a rural community.” “They see milk trucks driving down the road, they see horses, but they have no true firsthand knowledge,” she says.  “I get to […] The post Michigan Educator of the Year brings agriculture centerstage at Whittemore-Prescott appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story