Local, State & Ag News
67% of U.S. corn, 64% of soybeans good to excellent
The USDA’s national corn condition rating held over the past week as soybeans dipped slightly. The region saw another wide-ranging week of weather, including high temperatures and flooding, which might
Wheat harvest wrapping up in Kansas
A southeast Kansas farmer says most of his crops have exceeded his expectations this year. Ben Bellar says his soft red winter wheat was a pleasant surprise even with some
Bumpy weather ride continues in Nebraska
A south-central Nebraska farmer says it’s been a wild year for weather patterns in his state. Mike Bergen says it was extremely dry during planting and then conditions changed. “We
West central Indiana farmer sees strong crop progress, eyes disease pressure
A west central Indiana farmer says last week’s warmer temperatures helped accelerate crop growth. “We’ve had plenty of moisture, so things are looking good,” he says. Kevin Cox tells Brownfield
Young farmer uses value-added grant to grow organic grain markets
A young farmer says processing organic small grains on his farm has created more marketing opportunities to grow the family’s business. Joe Goetz with Goetz Brothers Organics in southeast Michigan/Riga
Report highlights rural worries over data center development
A new report from the University of Illinois suggests rural Americans are concerned about the impact of data centers. Mark White, clinical associate professor in the department of ag and

Minnesota Man Charged After Undercover Sioux County Child Exploitation Investigation
A Minnesota man is facing felony charges after authorities say he engaged in sexually explicit online conversations with an undercover Sioux County Sheriff’s deputy posing as a 15-year-old girl. According
COUNTRY Financial supporting Illinois county fairs
County fairs across Illinois are receiving a much-needed boost this summer thanks to COUNTRY Financial. Tanna Suits, COUNTRY agent and member of the Champaign County Fair Board, says the company
Unexpected IDC showing up in southern Minnesota soybeans
Conditions in many southern Minnesota soybean fields are right for iron deficiency chlorosis. DEKALB/Asgrow technical agronomist Jacob Foley covers the southwest part of the state and says IDC has been
Turek, seeking Iowa’s open U.S. Senate seat, sees danger in farm economy
Democrat Josh Turek says this is “a dangerous time” to be an Iowa farmer and Turek pledges to push for breaking up ag industry monopolies if he’s elected to the
