Illinois farmer finding success feeding small grains to hogs
A fourth generation Illinois farmer is finding success feeding small grains to hogs. Levi Laird, whose wean-to-finish contract operation is based in Jefferson County, says adding a 30% ration of […]
Heavier cattle carcass weights are helping offset the decline in U.S. cattle slaughter
An ag economist says heavier carcass weights are helping offset the decline in cattle slaughter. Josh Maples is with Mississippi State University Extension. “Cattle weights are down a little over […]
Start Strong, Stay Strong
With planting season drawing near, farmers should be finalizing their pre-emergence herbicide plans. Corteva Agriscience market development specialist Jeff Bode says starting the season clean will help growers avoid in-season […]
Pork industry seeing improved visa approvals
The president of the Illinois Pork Producers Association says the industry is taking advantage of improved visa approval rates for immigrant labor. Katie Brown, whose wean-to-finish contract operation is based […]
USDA modernization speeds up bridge payment process
A Farm Service Agency administrator says recent technology changes improved farmer bridge assistance sign-ups and processing. Wisconsin FSA Director Sandy Chalmers tells Brownfield the addition of the login.gov option for […]
A wide-range of temps, west to east across the Heartland; a briefly drier pattern for some
Looking ahead, the 6- to 10-day outlook calls for the likelihood of above-normal temperatures across much of the North and West, while cooler-than-normal conditions will prevail from the Midwest into […]
Spring, early Summerlike warmth for most; big changes underway across the far North
Across the Corn Belt, lowland flooding continues along portions of the White River in southern Indiana. The East Fork White River at Rivervale, Indiana, crested Sunday evening, 13.08 feet above […]
Solutions to stabilize struggling U.S. farms
Farmers attending the National Farmers Union Convention are considering solutions to bring stability back to U.S. farms. “Our farmers are reporting they’re on the brink of a crisis. We’re having […]
MAA says farm bill progress could help protect farmer access to pesticides
The executive director of the Modern Ag Alliance says the advancement of the farm bill is a key step towards protecting farmer access to crop protection tools. Elizabeth Burns-Thompson says the legislation would prohibit […]
Southern rust crowded out tar spot in 2025, pathologist says
Corn farmers who saw heavy southern rust pressure in 2025 probably encountered less tar spot. Dr. Alison Robertson is an extension plant pathologist with Iowa State University. “I think what […]