August 6, 2026

The deputy secretary of the USDA says the agency is moving full speed ahead on its One Farmer, One File initiative. Stephen Vaden tells Brownfield, “We’re seeking to drag this department into the 21st century and update our computer systems so that farmers can do more business with USDA without having to leave their farms, […] The post One Farmer, One File progressing appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

The National FFA Southern Region Vice President says continued membership growth is helping expand opportunities for students across the country. T. Wayne Williams says chapters in all 50 states saw a steady rise in the past year, with the largest jumps in New York, Puerto Rico, and Maine.  “Our FFA advisors and agricultural educators are the backbone […] The post National FFA membership reaches more than 1 million members appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

The Senate Ag Committee has failed to advance its version of the skinny farm bill, in a party line vote Thursday.   James Glueck, executive director with the Plant Based Products Council, says while provisions within the nutrition title were the sticking point, there was plenty of bipartisan support. “I think that was the spirit […] The post Farm bill effort stalls in committee over SNAP funding dispute appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Cash dairy prices were mostly up Thursday at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.     Dry whey was up $0.0075 to $0.6950. Two sales were reported ranging from $0.6875 to $0.6950.  Forty-pound cheese blocks were up $0.0150 to $1.5350.Ten sales were reported ranging from $1.4925 to $1.5425.  Cheese barrels were unchanged at $1.5475. No sales were reported.  Butter was up $0.0675 to $1.55. Seventy-nine sales were reported ranging from $1.5150 to $1.5550.  Nonfat dry milk was down $0.0350 to $1.5650. Eight sales were reported ranging from $1.5650 to $1.58.  The post CME cash dairy prices higher as butter and cheese blocks gain appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

The U.S. Senate Ag Committee failed to advance its farm bill following its markup on Thursday, as lawmakers remain divided over changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. In a statement, Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar said she’s committed to continuing to work with Chairman John Boozman on the farm bill to get a bill done. […] The post Senate Ag Committee fails to advance farm bill over SNAP dispute appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

The policy organizer with the Illinois Stewardship Alliance (ISA) says the ongoing nationwide cyclospora outbreak is another example of consolidation being a detriment to agriculture. During a recent ISA webinar, Ed Dubrick says producers and consumers suffer when the food supply chain is constricted. “Fifty-four percent of fresh salad comes from four companies.”  He says, […] The post Cyclospora outbreak highlights food supply consolidation concerns appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Weather extremes are influencing pest pressure across the Midwest. Iowa State University Extension entomologist Erin Hodgson calls growing conditions “erratic.” “We’ve had really wet, really dry. We’ve had hail and tornadoes, so some of that has been impacting not only the pest community, but also crop quality.” She tells Brownfield spider mites are a problem […] The post Erratic weather driving insect pressure appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story