July 24, 2026

An ag meteorologist says he’s optimistic that the ongoing drought in the Western Corn Belt could improve over the next several months. Brian Fuchs with the National Drought Mitigation Center says conditions are slowing changing in western Nebraska, Kansas and South Dakota. “We’ve seen a good start to the southwestern Monsoon season, and that has […] The post Monsoon moisture, El Niño offer hope for WCB drought recovery appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Only about a third of the funding allocated for USDA’s Assistance for Specialty Crop Producers Program has been distributed ahead of the August 7th deadline. National Potato Council CEO Kam Quarles tells Brownfield, “One of the biggest challenges for specialty crops overall is eligibility.” “A number of the farms that should be getting relief are […] The post National Potato Council says USDA specialty crop assistance has limited access appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Cash dairy prices were down Friday to end the week at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.     Dry whey was down $0.01 to $0.68. One sale was reported at that price.  Forty-pound cheese blocks were down $0.0625 at $1.6075. Two sales were recorded ranging from $1.5975 to $1.6075.  Cheese barrels were unchanged at $1.63. No sales were recorded.  Butter was down $0.0025 to $1.5075. Forty sales were reported ranging from $1.49 to $1.5075.  Nonfat dry milk was up $0.0025 to $1.4025. Sixteen sales were reported ranging from $1.3950 to $1.4025.  The post Cash dairy prices down Friday to close out the week appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Oat harvest is underway in northern Iowa. Zack Smith farms in Winnebago County and says he’s about a quarter of the way through his first oat crop. “Had a breakdown here that stopped me for a couple days, but the yields have been probably 20 to 25 bushels more than what I was expecting. I […] The post North Iowa farmer pleased with oat yield, test weight appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

The CEO of the Minnesota Beef Council says demand for beef remains strong despite high retail prices. Kelly Schmidt tells Brownfield the domestic cattle herd is still short relative to demand. “We’re watching it closely. Are we expanding this herd, what is this supply? I think everyone would agree we’re still currently on the shorter […] The post Minnesota Beef Council: consumers still see value in beef appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

There have been mixed reactions from some ag groups to the CME Group’s announcement that it would begin trading sorghum basis futures. Kansas State University ag economist Guy Allen says helps protect producers from risk in the market. “The sorghum futures is basically trading as a spread to corn, but you’ll be able to hedge […] The post Supporters, growers split on CME’s sorghum basis futures appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

A former U.S. Trade Ambassador suggests the agriculture sector is often treated unfairly in trade negotiations. Robert Lighthizer uses U.S. bulk commodity agriculture as an example. “We’re more competitive, and we’re more discriminated against around the world. I’ve always said that no group suffers more from protectionism abroad than agriculture.” Speaking during the Iowa Farm […] The post Lighthizer: agriculture bears the brunt of global trade protectionism appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

The president of the Midwest Hemp Council says Indiana farmers are well-positioned to capitalized on new investments in the industrial hemp industry. Justin Swanson tells Brownfield, “Indiana is a wonderful place with the right soil to grow hemp,” he says. “Whether it’s grain, fiber, or cannabinoids, we want to see Indiana become a net exporter […] The post Indiana farmers could benefit from expansion of industrial hemp products appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story