A cow-calf producer from mid-Missouri says producers are exploring ways to add value to their cattle herd through genetics. Wayne Vanderwert raises Sim-Angus cattle in Howard County. He tells Brownfield Simmental cattle continue to have a strong reputation for being efficient at meat production. “Feedlots want that performance. They want...

A research veterinarian says the emergency use of certain animal drugs to combat New World Screwworm will require good recordkeeping and communication with the herd veterinarian. Dr. Keith Poulsen with the Wisconsins Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory says the agency came out with extra label use for several different drugs, mostly in...

A pair of agronomists with Beck’s Hybrids say the jury is still out on the new “Green Lightning” technology. Chad Kalaher, who covers northeastern Illinois, says all the company’s Practical Farm Research sites are testing the system for the first time in 2025. “It takes water that the farmer supplies,...

A forage and cover crops specialist says potassium is essential for alfalfa longevity and reducing crop stress. Michigan State University Extension’s Kim Cassida says alfalfa is one of the heaviest users of potassium among all forages. “I’ve had many, many people contact me about declining alfalfa stands, I don’t know...

Soybeans were mixed, mostly firm, ending the week in positive territory. Some forecasts for parts of the region look dry into early September, which could limit production potential. While a major crop tour did show very good yield and pod count numbers, their production and yield estimates were lower than...

There are mixed reviews from ethanol groups over EPA’s decision to grant small refinery exemptions. Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper says the agency’s action is mostly good news for the ag industry. “We don’t really expect these exemptions that EPA is granting retroactively will have any real...

Sep. corn closed at $3.88 and 1/4, up 1 centSep. soybeans closed at $10.36 and 1/2, up 2 centsSep. soybean meal closed at $296.70, down 10 centsSep. soybean oil closed at 54.84, up 120 pointsSep. wheat closed at $5.04 and 3/4, down 2 and 1/4 centsOct. live cattle closed at...

At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were up, waiting on direct business to develop and Friday’s Cattle on Feed report from the USDA.  October live cattle closed $3.15 higher at $237.87 and December live cattle closed $2.75 higher at $239.15.  September feeder cattle closed $4.65 higher at...

A Wisconsin group that helps migrant workers and American farmers will show the public what it’s like working far from your home and family. Puentes-Bridges President Mercedes Falk tells Brownfield their organization is planning for an October event at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire’s Mcintyre Library to tell the stories...

Egg production numbers declined again in July, but there are signs of a bounce back. The USDA says 8.791 billion eggs were produced in July 2025, 3% less than July 2024, with the number of laying hens 3% smaller at 358.543 million head, but the average production per 100 layers...

A leading educator on raising dairy calves has died. Dr. Robert Elliott James, best known as Dr. Bob, helped start the Professional Dairy Heifer Growers Association, now known as the Dairy Calf and Heifer Association.  The former Virginia Tech professor and consultant with Down Home Heifer Solutions was instrumental in...

The USDA says 1.598 million cattle were placed into U.S. feedlots during July 2025. That was 6% below July 2024, reflecting tighter available supplies, partially because the U.S. border with Mexico remains closed to feeder cattle imports due to New World screwworm concerns. That was towards the high end of...

Red meat and poultry supplies in cold storage are tighter than a year ago. The USDA says red meat stocks on July 31st, 2025 fell 5% on the year at 825.569 million pounds, with an 11% drop in pork more than canceling out a 1% rise in beef. As both...

Crop Tour Projects Record Corn Yields, USDA Data Shows Mixed Conditions

A cropping systems agronomist encourages farmers to plant winter wheat in narrow rows to gain yield. Michigan State University’s Manni Singh tells Brownfield, “We have a lot of data showing that going to rows narrower than 7.5 inches in winter wheat, (to) 5-inch row spacings, does pay off.” “It can...