Local, State & Ag News
2026 broiler placements running 2% ahead of 2025
USDA data continues to point towards rising U.S. chicken production. 255.739 million broiler-type eggs were set into incubation last week, down 280,000 from the previous week, but up 2% from
Proposed legislation in Illinois would boost ethanol infrastructure
The Industrial Committee Chair with the Illinois Corn Growers Association says there’s a new proposal in the General Assembly to expand ethanol infrastructure in the state. Sarah Hastings, who represents
Governor gets bill to raise speed limit on Iowa’s two-lane highways
The governor will soon get to decide whether the 55 mile an hour speed limit on two-lane state highways will go up to 60. The Senate today gave final approval
Former chairman of the House Ag Committee has died
Long-time Georgia Congressman and former chair of the House Ag Committee, David Scott, has died. He was 80 years old. The 12-term lawmaker was the first Black man to chair
Acquisition of Mid-State soybean processing facility supporting growth across western U.S. states
Beck’s Hybrids says the recent acquisition of a Missouri-based soybean processing facility will support continued production growth across the region. Jim Herr, processing, inventory, and wholesale manager with Beck’s, says the
Consumer demand for protein is affecting nonfat dry milk prices
A dairy marketing specialist says consumer demand is influencing nonfat dry milk prices. Katie Burgess with ever.ag tells Brownfield the global powder market is getting more competitive. “We’ve been a
USDA works to rebuild farmer trust as low response rates raise concerns
The farmer response rate for USDA’s 2026 Prospective Plantings report was the lowest it’s ever been. Arlan Suderman with StoneX Group tells Brownfield that’s significant. “That simply increases the risk
Ethanol production dips on week while holding above a year ago
U.S. ethanol production declined last week. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says an average of 1.04 million barrels of ethanol were produced per day, falling 80,000 on the week possibly
Libraries across Iowa celebrate National Library Week
Iowa boasts more than 540 public libraries statewide, in addition to hundreds more libraries in schools, colleges and universities, all of which are marking this National Library Week. Shirley Taylor,
Iowa unemployment unchanged in February
Iowa’s unemployment rate held steady at 3.4% in February. Iowa Workforce Development director Beth Townsend says there are some signs of tightening in sections of the economy. “Employers shed about