Brownfield Ag

The USDA is expanding crop insurance coverage for grape growers in Michigan and Ohio. Brandon Walters is a Senior Specialty Crop Insurance Specialist with GreenStone Farm Credit Services. “It guarantees you a percentage of your average historical yield,” he explains. “It can vary from 50 up to 85 percent in five percent increments. Depending on […] The post Crop insurance options increasing for grape growers in Michigan and Ohio appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

As more farmers and landowners look to adopt conservation and regenerative agricultural practices, some challenges could arise with land rental agreements.  In this Managing for Profit, Megan Dwyer, director of conservation and nutrient stewardship with the Illinois Corn Growers Association, explains how corn checkoff funding has simplified the process. The post Incorporating Conservation into Rental Agreements appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

The USDA’s 2025 farm program payments being issued are the largest since the programs were established in the 2014 Farm Bill. “I think it will be surprising and will depend on where you’re at in the country,” says Richard Fordyce, Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation at USDA. The Farm Service Agency’s Ag Risk […] The post USDA’s 2025 farm program payments reach record $13.8 billion appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

A new meat lab at the University of Missouri is expected to help address meat processing workforce shortages and advance research for the livestock industry. The Michael L. Parson Meat Lab is named for former Governor Parson. “When you look at a lab like this, you’re talking about state-of-the-art. Every other state in the United […] The post University of Missouri opens new meat lab to support livestock industry appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live cattle were mixed, feeders were lower waiting on direct business to develop. December live cattle closed $.45 lower at $226.60 and February live cattle closed $.10 higher at $229.57.  November feeder cattle closed $.85 lower at $341.10 and January feeder cattle closed $.60 lower at $335.75.  Direct cash cattle […] The post Live cattle mixed to start the week appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Soybeans were lower on fund and technical selling. The trade was expecting a solid week-to-week advance in harvest, with weekly crop progress and condition numbers delayed until Tuesday by Monday’s federal holiday. Weekly export inspections will also be out Tuesday. That anticipated advance follows last week’s slight increase in the USDA’s 2026 production and yield […] The post Corn closes mostly firm after Friday’s drop appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Dec. corn $4.83, up 3 and 1/4 centsNov. soybeans $12.87 and 3/4, down 4 and 1/4 centsDec. soybean meal $368.70, up $3.10Dec. soybean oil 68.63, up 61 pointsDec. Chicago wheat $6.72 and 1/4, up 1 and 1/4 centsDec. live cattle $226.60, down 45 centsNov. feeder cattle $341.10, down 85 centsDec. lean hogs $68.37, up 55 […] The post Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: October 12, 2026 appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Michigan’s governor has declared a state of energy emergency, allowing temporary use of dyed diesel fuel on public roads. National Corn Growers Association President and Michigan farmer Matt Frostic tells Brownfield record diesel prices have been compounding profitability challenges for farmers. “With high fertilizer issues in the spring along with other things, and then come […] The post Michigan joins growing list of states allowing farmers to use red-dyed diesel over the road appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Perfecting the Waters of the U.S. rule.  EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin says the WOTUS has lacked clarity. “You could use a term like ‘drought’ or ‘low tide’ and not define it, and then we can finalize a decision and not define it. And it ends up being an imperfect WOTUS definition.” He tells Brownfield the […] The post EPA’s Zeldin aims for “perfect” WOTUS rule appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

A north-central Ohio farmer says record-high fuel costs will likely have an impact on his plans for the 2027 crop year. Owen Niese says he’s carefully evaluating every decision. “We’re going to be making some different decisions on how much and where to spread fertilizer,” he says. “It’s also how much tillage do we do […] The post Record high diesel prices could change 2027 crop year plans appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story