The Iowa Department of Health has confirmed the first case of West Nile virus this year. The information says the individual is an adult 18-40 years old from eastern Iowa. West Nile virus is carried by mosquitoes and the Health Department says people spending more time outside this summer should protect themselves from mosquito bites. […] View Full Story
Every generation has seen the countryside change. My grandparents saw tractors replace horses. My parents embraced hybrid seed and larger equipment. I’ve watched agriculture evolve with biotechnology, GPS guidance, drones, and precision farming. Change has always been part of rural America. Another change is knocking on the door. A data center is a large, windowless […] The post Do Data Centers belong in Rural America? appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story
The Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum in West Branch reopens Thursday afternoon following a $20 million renovation. Museum director Thomas Schwartz says the renovation created a new way to view the lives of the only Iowa-born president and his wife. ““We create immersive scenes where we actually put you in a particular scene in […] View Full Story
A U.S. senator from Nebraska says bipartisan support has positioned nationwide, year-round E15 to advance through the Senate farm bill. Deb Fischer tells Brownfield “That is just huge to be able to get this close to getting it in the farm bill and then hopefully to the president’s desk.” Fischer is the sponsor of the […] The post Fischer: senate farm bill positions year-round E15 for advancement appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story
The U.S. cotton industry is asking the chairman of the U.S. Senate Budget Committee to include financial assistance for cotton farmers in its budget reconciliation framework. In a letter to Ron Johnson, the National Cotton Council says it supports the recently approved U.S. House budget resolution, and hopes the U.S. Senate will provide a directive […] The post Cotton growers seek financial assistance, Buy American Cotton Act in Senate budget package appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story
U.S. Senate Ag Committee Chairman John Boozman says there have been updates made to the draft text of the farm bill that’s scheduled to be marked up on Thursday. Two updates have been made “as a good faith effort” in the nutrition program, adding more flexibility to state cost shares and increasing funding for commodity […] The post Boozman says farm bill updates respond to state, stakeholder concerns appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story
Missouri State Fair Director Jason Moore says livestock entries for the Missouri State Fair look promising ahead of the 10-day event. “We’re right on track, if not up in a few different areas.We’re so excited to see all our friends back in the barns, and livestock buildings and watch them showcase what they’ve been working […] The post Livestock entries on track for Missouri State Fair, officials say appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story
China has continued its purchases of U.S. soybeans as the new crop marketing year gets closer, and an ag economist with University of Missouri Extension says it’s encouraging, but not unusual. Ben Brown tells Brownfield “In some regards, like you can look at historical context and say, ok, they’re buying now. They’re usually buying at […] The post Ag economist: China’s soybean buying encouraging, not unusual appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story
The USDA’s Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation says the agency is taking steps to help producers manage financial challenges. Richard Fordyce tells Brownfield the department recently announced changes to crop insurance to help producers who are facing high input costs and continued market uncertainty. “This is really probably more of a cash flow […] The post Fordyce: USDA takes steps to help farmers manage tight margins appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story
Soybeans were lower on fund and technical selling. The trade is monitoring near-term weather, including seasonal temperatures and rain in some areas. Contracts did finish towards the middle of the day’s session, which might be a sign the downside objectives have been met. The USDA will update their U.S. production estimates on the 12th in […] The post Soybeans, corn see another round of weather pressure appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story
