• Legislation could speed up domestic fertilizer production
    by Larry Lee on March 18, 2024 at 9:16 pm

    A bipartisan bill in the U.S. Senate would streamline the permitting process for more domestic phosphate and potash production. Ed Thomas with The Fertilizer Institute says, “We certainly do see a need for permitting reform. This is just a first step.” Thomas tells Brownfield they’ve been trying to increase the domestic supply of fertilizer by pushing for government policy changes. “One of those is getting USGS (U.S. Geological Survey) to list phosphorus and potash as critical minerals, and what that does for the industry is it really just helps permitting, so it kind of streamlines the process so that it’s a little faster, potentially.” Thomas tells Brownfield that naming phosphorus and potash as critical minerals would allow one government agency walk the permit through the approval process and stop the back-and-forth approval process. ...

  • CME milk mostly higher, cash dairy mostly lower Monday
    by Larry Lee on March 18, 2024 at 8:58 pm

    Milk futures were mostly steady to higher and the cash dairy markets were lower except cheese barrels Monday on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.  April Class III milk was up $0.15 at $16.16.  May was up $0.07 at $16.49.  June was unchanged at $17.23.  July was up $0.02 at $17.91.   August through February contracts ranged from two cents lower in December to nine cents higher in August.  Monday’s Class III trade volume was lower, with 1,578 contracts.  Dry whey was down $0.0150 at $0.43.  Two sales were recorded at $0.43 and $40.4350.   Forty-pound cheese blocks were down $0.02 at $1.45.  Three sales were recorded, ranging from $1.45 to $1.48.  Cheese barrels were up $0.0575 at $1.50, once again surpassing block cheese prices.  ...

  • Four States Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference
    by Cyndi Young on March 18, 2024 at 8:50 pm

    Larry Lee will be on the ground in Dubuque, Iowa June 5-6, 2024 for the Four States Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference. ...

  • Practical Farmers of Iowa seeking on-farm research participants
    by Mark Dorenkamp on March 18, 2024 at 8:49 pm

    Midwestern farmers using soil health practices can take part in research projects focused on nitrogen use and cover crops this growing season. Practical Farmers of Iowa senior research manager Stefan Gailans says they are seeking corn growers to explore whether practices like cover crops or no-till support using less nitrogen fertilizer. “What this project is testing really is can a farmer maintain or improve their corn yields with less fertilizer thanks to the soil health practices they’ve been using over the last few years.” He tells Brownfield another on-farm research project involves cover crops exclusively. ...

  • Ask questions about climate smart programs
    by Carah Hart on March 18, 2024 at 8:49 pm

    The head of sustainable business with the Farmers Business Network says farmers shouldn’t be afraid to ask questions when considering participation in a new climate smart ag program. Kurt Alles says farmers should start by asking ‘what are the requirements of the program’… “What information do I have to submit and why do I submit it? What is this information being used for and how does it enable my participation? Understand the end market. ...

  • 77th Alice in Dairyland Selection
    by Cyndi Young on March 18, 2024 at 8:46 pm

    Brownfield Anchor/Reporter Larry Lee will cover the 77th Alice in Dairyland Selection May 4, 2024 in Sturgeon Bay, WI. ...

  • Wheat complex mostly higher as tensions escalate in the Black Sea region
    by Meghan Grebner on March 18, 2024 at 8:44 pm

    Soybeans ended the day lower, giving back last week’s gains as contracts continue to face pressure from harvest progress in Brazil.  There was additional pressure from lower soybean meal and soybean oil.  Soybean inspections were 25.2 million bushels with primary destinations to China (20.3 mbu) and Mexico (1.9 mbu).  For South America, parts of Brazil will see harvest delaying rain over the next few days. CONAB’s updated outlook for Brazil’s crops is out April 11th.  ...

  • Wisconsin Bankers Association Agricultural Banking Conference
    by Cyndi Young on March 18, 2024 at 8:41 pm

    Brownfield Anchor/Reporter Larry Lee will be in Wisconsin Dells April 11-12, 2024 for the Wisconsin Bankers Association Agricultural Banking Conference. Wisconsin Dells, WI(Kalahari) ...

  • NAFB Washington Watch
    by Cyndi Young on March 18, 2024 at 8:38 pm

    Brownfield anchor/reporters Larry Lee and Carah Hart will be in Washington, D.C. April 29-May 2, 2024 for the annual National Association of Farm Broadcasting Washington Watch. ...

  • No work on FY25 budget until FY24 has passed Congress
    by Carah Hart on March 18, 2024 at 8:34 pm

    Leaders on the Senate Ag Appropriations Subcommittee say work can begin soon on next year’s spending bills if Congress can meet their upcoming deadline to pass the current fiscal year spending package. Chairwoman Tammy Baldwin from Wisconsin says lawmakers will start hearings in the next few months to learn more from USDA about “what they requested in their budget, where it falls short and whether they’re able to meet their mission.” Baldwin and Ranking Member John Hoeven from North Dakota tell Brownfield they’re still reviewing USDA’s budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2025. ...