A St. Louis, Missouri based seed innovation company has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Benson Hill’s board of directors chairman Dan Jacobi says the move is the result of current industry challenges and financial constraints. According to a media release, the business intends to sell its assets under Section 363...

On this episode of Outdoor Adventures, TOPHAT Jigs owner Derek Martin from Illinois joins Brent Barnett for a conversation about spring crappie fishing. He gives some tips on the best ways to catch crappies early in the spring. The post Crappie fishing is starting to heat up in the Midwest...

A Farm Service Agency official says producers are signing up for the recently-released Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) for the 2024 crop year. Greg Biba with Wisconsin’s Farm Service Agency tells Brownfield there are three ways to sign up. “USDA has mailed applications, and they’ll be receiving those applications in...

At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were up waiting on direct business and ahead of Friday’s On Feed numbers from the USDA.  April lives closed $1.65 higher at $208.47 and June lives closed $2.17 higher at $205.02.  April feeder cattle closed $1.72 higher at $288.45 and May...

Soybeans were mixed. Export sales were down on the week at 13 million bushels and while China was the leading buyer, followed by Taiwan, it was a routine week of sales overall. That reflects Brazil’s current dominance over the global soybean market and could be construed as a sign the...

May corn closed at $4.69, up 7 centsMay soybeans closed at $10.13, up 4 and 3/4 centsMay soybean meal closed at $297.10, down 60 centsMay soybean oil closed at 42.71, up 35 pointsMay wheat closed at $5.57 and 1/4, down 6 and 1/4 centsApr. live cattle closed at $208.47, up...

A U.S. Senator from Kansas says he’s optimistic a new farm bill will be completed by the August recess. Jerry Moran says lawmakers already have a starting point for the farm bill. “Whether it’s the House bill that came out of the House Agriculture Committee or it’s the draft that...

The vice president of the Iowa Corn Growers Association says he’s pleased USDA is making economic assistance a priority. The agency recently released the first $10 billion in Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) funds, and Mark Mueller tells Brownfield, “We are happy to receive the money. As you well know,...

A northeast Iowa farmer says he’s concerned about dry conditions heading into the growing season. “We’ve had maybe two inches of snow in my yard all winter,” said Mark Mueller of Waverly. Mueller says November was when his last measurable rain event occurred. “Just as quickly as we got out...

The Federal Reserve made no changes to interest rates this week and an ag economist says some cuts are likely later in the year. Creighton University’s Ernie Goss says, “They indicated there might be two rate cuts this year. I think that’s probably in line with what will actually happen....

Delivering farmers solutions faster.  Thaddeus Bates, senior manager with the Nutrien Ag Solutions Innovation Farm Network, says the company’s latest 280-acre location outside of Champaign, Illinois is bringing cutting edge in-field solutions to Midwestern farmers. “We take where all the research and development ends, partner with our suppliers, whether it...

The USDA has announced its next steps to help the poultry industry combat highly pathogenic avian influenza. During a stakeholder call on Thursday, Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins said the department will invest up to $100 million to support projects on avian influenza prevention, therapeutics, research, and potential vaccine candidates. “Which...

An agribusiness leader says he remains optimistic full-fledged trade wars can still be avoided. Michigan Agri-Business Association President Chuck Lippstreu tells Brownfield, “Twice in the last two months we’ve seen delays and sort of postponements of across-the-board tariffs.” “That gives us some level of hope that a full-on trade war...

U.S. commercial red meat production dropped in February as winter weather in some areas limited movement. The USDA says red meat production totaled 4.233 billion pounds, falling 7% from the record monthly high in February 2024 with reduced slaughter levels more than canceling out heavier live weights. In addition to...

Legislation to expand federal loan limits for ag producers has been reintroduced in both the U.S. House and Senate. Minnesota Congressman Brad Finstad says the Producer and Agricultural Credit Enhancement, or PACE Act, addresses concerns about the increasing cost of farming. “And some of our traditional farm programs that USDA...