Local & State News
Market rally likely to reduce some producer payments
An ag economist with the University of Illinois says the recent rally in the commodity markets could impact crop insurance payouts this year. During a recent FarmDoc webinar, Gary Schnitkey
Dry weather, variable rain take toll on Michigan corn yield potential
A Michigan farmer says sporadic rain during the growing season has cut the top end off corn yield expectations. Matt Frostic tells Brownfield, “In June, I think we had the
BAM Weather: El Niño expected to be the strongest on record
A senior meteorologist at BAM Weather says a strengthening El Niño weather pattern could limit harvest windows this fall. Brett Walts says parts of the Corn Belt that saw access
Midwest Food Bank expansion expected to increase food assistance across Indiana
The executive director of Indianapolis-based Midwest Food Bank says a planned expansion could help meet growing demand for food assistance. Todd Greenwood says a new $9 million warehouse will streamline
Trump administration changes could hamper Head Start programs in Iowa
A federal program that helps thousands of low-income Iowa children could see hundreds of requirements deleted under a Trump administration proposal. One change would mandate English-only instruction, except for tribal
Measuring Soybean Quality from the Farm to the World
As harvest approaches, soybean farmers have an opportunity to help tell the story of the quality of U.S. soybeans. At the 2026 Farm Progress Show, Brownfield talked with Brent Rendel
Fordyce: U.S. positioned to produce enough nitrogen fertilizer for farmers and export
The Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation at USDA says increased access to natural gas will help domestic fertilizer production grow. Richard Fordyce tells Brownfield new fracking technologies are paying
BASF Showcases Crop Protection Technology and a Strong Product Pipeline
At the 2026 Farm Progress Show, Brownfield talked with Kurt Maertens, BASF Technical Services Representative for Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois, about what farmers can see at the BASF exhibit
Cheese declines while butter holds steady Friday at CME
Cash dairy prices were mixed Friday to end the week at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Dry whey was up $0.0025 to $0.7525. One sale was reported at that price. Forty-pound cheese blocks
Farmers await more clarity on proposed WOTUS Rule
The Trump administration is once again asking for feedback to help further define its proposed Waters of the United States rule. Missouri Farm Bureau President Garrett Hawkins tells Brownfield producers
