August 18, 2026

A cropping systems specialist says farmers should weigh the cost of pest control versus the return on investment. Justin McMechan with the University of Nebraska says confirmations of soybean tentiform leafminer are on the rise. The bug feeds on leaves and creates pale, blotchy or tent-link areas. “We’re talking about it because growers are going […] The post Nebraska specialist urges careful consideration of insecticide costs appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

More Iowa cattle producers will soon be eligible for a cost-share program designed to improve water quality. Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig says the Cattle and Conservation Working Lands Program is expanding into 22 counties within the Greater Des Moines watershed. “The highest and best use of an acre of farm ground in the state […] The post Naig: Iowa expanding Cattle and Conservation Working Lands program appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Indiana’s State Climatologist says last week’s historic flooding is raising concerns about the long-term impact on the 2026 crop. Dr. Beth Hall says some areas saw anywhere from 4 to 15 inches of consistent rainfall. “Indiana was just right in the track of the storm system, and this led to a situation of several consecutive […] The post Historic Indiana flooding threatens crop potential as farmers continue to evaluate storm damage appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

A market analyst says weather challenges in South America could push commodity prices higher for U.S. farmers this fall. Jeff Peterson with Heartland Farm Partners says some parts are facing abnormally wet conditions. “What that could mean for problems down the road is that the southern part of Brazil is where they need to plant […] The post Brazil crop concerns could provide support for U.S. Corn appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Farmers are facing a range of challenges that could limit yield potential. Stu Carlson, an agronomist who covers parts of the Upper Midwest, says the company’s latest genetics offer hybrid options designed to perform across a variety of growing conditions. The post Hoegemeyer Hometown Field Update – Freeman, SD appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Looking ahead, the 6- to 10-day outlook calls for the likelihood of near- or above-normal temperatures and rainfall across most of the U.S. Cooler-than-normal conditions will be confined to portions of the lower Great Lakes region and the Northeast. Meanwhile, drier-than-normal weather should be limited to portions of the south-central and southeastern U.S. The post Seasonal warmth, heat and rainfall for most, a drier trend ahead for others across most of the Heartland appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Across the Corn Belt, widely-scattered showers and t-storms are mostly limited to northwestern areas and environs. However, pockets of moderate lowland flooding continue in central sections of Illinois and Indiana, following last week’s multi-day deluge. In contrast, recent rainfall has been less widespread in the northern Corn Belt, where patchy drought persists. Despite the variable […] The post While heat continues on parts of the Plains, more seasonal environs cover much of the Corn Belt appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story