June 18, 2026

Iowa unemployment rate drops in May

Iowa Workforce Development director Beth Townsend says the May unemployment rate dropped down slightly from the 3.3% in April. “Went down to 3.2% and was down from 3.6% a year ago. We gained 3,400 jobs between April and May, which was a good sign,” she says. Townsend says job growth is slowly moving up. “We […] View Full Story

Court ruling advances Bayer Roundup settlement in Missouri

A staff attorney with the National Ag Law Center says a recent district court’s rejection on Roundup litigation could benefit Bayer, keeping the proposed settlement process in Missouri courts as litigation continues. Brigit Rollins tells Brownfield the situation is complex. A U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Missouri recently rejected an attempt by […] The post Court ruling advances Bayer Roundup settlement in Missouri appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

U.S. – Iran MOU pauses conflict, ag deals with ongoing market volatility and input cost shifts

The U.S. and Iran have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to end the war, and an ag economist says the ripple effects are impacting the ag sector. Frayne Olson with North Dakota State University Extension says there’s frustration among some farmers, because grain futures have moved lower. He says grain futures are connected to the […] The post U.S. – Iran MOU pauses conflict, ag deals with ongoing market volatility and input cost shifts appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

China returns to U.S. soybean market

Tommy Grisafi with Ag Bull Trading says China has been back in the market for U.S. commodities. “The market just lowered the tariffs on China. Whether President Trump lowers the tariffs or not, the grains had a 20 percent off sale here in corn and wheat, and the beans are now really starting to sell […] The post China returns to U.S. soybean market appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: Jun 18, 2026

Jul. corn $4.17 and 1/2, down 3nd 1/2 centsJul. soybeans $11.22 and 3/4, down 9 and 1/4 centsJul. soybean meal $301.30, down 35 centsJul. soybean oil 69.69, down 185 pointsJul. Chicago wheat $6.05 and 3/4, down 7 centsAug. live cattle $246.62, down $2.22Aug. feeder cattle $366.60, down $.82Jul. lean hogs $95.02, up 37 centsJul. Class […] The post Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: Jun 18, 2026 appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Ohio farmers collaborate on specialty small grains hub

A network of farmers in Ohio has created a hub to connect buyers with regionally sourced heritage grains. Jay Brandt of Brandt Family Farms and Walnut Creek Seeds tells Brownfield custom seed cleaning for area wheat growers has evolved into a new venture supplying specialty grains to wholesalers and bakers. “We were very fortunate to […] The post Ohio farmers collaborate on specialty small grains hub appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Bids on table in cash cattle country

Live and feeder cattle were lower on position squaring ahead of the Cattle on Feed report, and waiting on direct business to develop.   Direct cash cattle trade activity started to pick up steam Thursday. Bids are now on the table in parts of Kansas and Nebraska. Some live asking prices have been reported around $260. […] The post Bids on table in cash cattle country appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Corn and soybeans move lower heading into the long weekend

Soybeans were lower on profit-taking in the final trading session of the week.  The USDA did report a couple of flash sales Thursday morning, one to China and other for unknown destinations, both are for the 2026/2027 marketing year. Soybeans continue to monitor crop development weather, which has precipitation in the 6 to 10 day […] The post Corn and soybeans move lower heading into the long weekend appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Farm Action releases plan to lower beef prices by rebuilding U.S. cattle production

The co-founder of political action group Farm Action Fund says a new rancher-backed policy roadmap aims to rebuild the U.S. cattle industry and bring down retail beef prices. Joe Maxwell says the group recommends restoring mandatory country of origin labeling for beef, as well as several other initiatives to strengthen the cattle sector. “We’re talking an […] The post Farm Action releases plan to lower beef prices by rebuilding U.S. cattle production appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Uncle of teen found dead in South Dakota indicted in Iowa

The uncle of a 14-year-old girl who was found dead in South Dakota three months ago has been charged in Iowa in connection with her death. Fourteen-year-old McKenna Wendel of Sioux Falls was found dead in Brookings, South Dakota on March 19. U-S Attorney Leif Olson announced the federal indictments during a news conference today […] View Full Story