FFA News
Latest stories and updates from agricultural education.
Heavy rains and storms delay as corn planting progress in parts of MO
A farmer in central Missouri says planting has been delayed since late last week due to consistent rains and some storms. Jim Peel, who farms in Saline County, tells Brownfield he wishes he would have planted more corn at the end of March. “That corn is about at the five leaf stage. I mean, it’s […] The post Heavy rains and storms delay as corn planting progress in parts of MO appeared first on Brownfield Ag News.
South Dakota winter wheat “dicey” after late-April freeze
A farmer in southeastern South Dakota says the winter wheat is dicey as the calendar turns to May. Chet Edinger tells Brownfield the crop looked great until temperatures dropped to 12 degrees overnight toward the end of April. “That is a major concern for us right now. It looked sick all last week. We can […] The post South Dakota winter wheat “dicey” after late-April freeze appeared first on Brownfield Ag News.
HPAI control zones lifting in Michigan, leaders say lack of vaccine progress is concerning
The Michigan Allied Poultry Industry says control zones on turkey farms impacted by highly pathogenic avian influenza in the state have been lifted. Nancy Barr tells Brownfield it’s about a two-month process after an outbreak before producers can fill their barns again. “The producers never really made whole,” she says. “They do receive indemnity for […] The post HPAI control zones lifting in Michigan, leaders say lack of vaccine progress is concerning appeared first on Brownfield Ag News.
Cattle, hog futures higher to start the week
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were sharply higher on tight supplies and strong demand. June live cattle closed $3.72 higher at $248.95 and August live cattle closed $3.72 higher at $245.37. May feeder cattle closed $6.55 higher at $367.45 and August feeder cattle closed $6.50 higher at $368.27. Direct cash cattle […] The post Cattle, hog futures higher to start the week appeared first on Brownfield Ag News.
Large corn supplies may limit price gains, analyst warns
Many farmers continue to hold onto old crop grain. Farm management analyst Kent Thiesse says the USDA Quarterly Grain Stocks Report at the end of March showed corn rising 11 percent year over year. “We still have a lot of corn out there, and a lot of it on the farm yet. And my guess […] The post Large corn supplies may limit price gains, analyst warns appeared first on Brownfield Ag News.
Favorable start pushes Minnesota planting progress forward
A southeast Minnesota farmer says the planting season is off to a good start. Rob Tate grows corn and soybeans near Cannon Falls. “We started planting a little bit earlier than we did last year. We’ve had some spotty showers at times (and) as of right now we’re about halway done planting corn.” In west-central […] The post Favorable start pushes Minnesota planting progress forward appeared first on Brownfield Ag News.
Iowa corn planting surges to 22% after busy week
Planting progress made a big jump in Iowa last week. USDA’s latest crop progress report says corn went from 2 percent to 22 percent planted, matching the five-year average. North central Iowa farmer Chris Edgington tells Brownfield. “There was corn and beans in our area, including us, that went in last week. And maybe a […] The post Iowa corn planting surges to 22% after busy week appeared first on Brownfield Ag News.
Soybeans, corn start week on higher notes, wheat steady to up solidly
Soybeans were higher on short covering and technical buying. There was also likely some commercial interest as crush margins are solid, which supported soybean meal and oil futures Monday. Soybeans are monitoring early U.S. planting weather. The USDA says 23% of U.S. soybeans are planted and 8% has emerged, both ahead of the respective five-year […] The post Soybeans, corn start week on higher notes, wheat steady to up solidly appeared first on Brownfield Ag News.
Planting slightly behind usual pace in Wisconsin
Planting is off to a slow start in Wisconsin. USDA’s latest weekly crop progress update shows corn at 3 percent planted, compared to 1 percent a week ago and the five-year average of 4 percent. Soybeans are 3 percent planted, one percentage point off the usual pace. Oats are 14 percent planted and 3 percent […] The post Planting slightly behind usual pace in Wisconsin appeared first on Brownfield Ag News.
Planting progress jumps in Illinois
A central Illinois farmer says many in his area are making good planting progress. Ken Franklin, who grows corn, soybeans, and wheat in Christian County, tells Brownfield… “I’d say maybe it’s 50% or better of corn and beans are both in the ground.” He says, “Different spots are ahead of that or behind, but a […] The post Planting progress jumps in Illinois appeared first on Brownfield Ag News.
Weather window helped jumpstart sugarbeet planting in the thumb
A farmer in Michigan’s Thumb says a break in the weather last week helped get sugarbeets planted. Huron County’s Katie Adam tells Brownfield, “I would say we probably pushed the envelope on getting those out in the ground.” “We then got rained out on Friday afternoon. I think we got just over an inch of […] The post Weather window helped jumpstart sugarbeet planting in the thumb appeared first on Brownfield Ag News.
Central Indiana farmer nears end of 2026 soybean planting
A central Indiana farmer says he expects to wrap up planting his 2026 soybean crop this week. Chris Cherry says he started planting around the second week of April. “We have about one day of corn left to plant and about two and half days left of soybeans,” he says. “After that, I’ll have all […] The post Central Indiana farmer nears end of 2026 soybean planting appeared first on Brownfield Ag News.
Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: April 27, 2026
May corn $4.60 and 3/4, up 5 and 3/4 centsMay soybeans $11.77 and 1/4, up 13 and 1/2 centsMay soybean meal $333.80, up $9.50May soybean oil 72.26, up 35 pointsMay Chicago wheat $6.21 and 1/2, up 13 and 1/4 centsJun. live cattle $248.95, up $3.72May feeder cattle $367.45, up $6.55Jun. lean hogs $102.17, up 27 […] The post Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: April 27, 2026 appeared first on Brownfield Ag News.
25% of U.S. corn, 23% of soybeans planted
U.S. corn and soybean planting made solid advances over the past week. Large parts of the Midwest saw heavy rainfall, but only a handful of states experienced a significant lag linked to that weather, and the precipitation did miss some key growing areas. The USDA says 25% of U.S. corn is planted and 7% has […] The post 25% of U.S. corn, 23% of soybeans planted appeared first on Brownfield Ag News.
Nebraska farmer says rainfall will slow planting progress
A south-central Nebraska farmer says it’s been a feverish start to this year’s planting season. Randy Uhrmacher says he started a couple of weeks ago since it was warm and dry. “I’m thinking we’re about 75 percent planted on corn. We did get the soybean planter rolling too, and I’d say were’ about 40 percent […] The post Nebraska farmer says rainfall will slow planting progress appeared first on Brownfield Ag News.
Kansas farmer waiting for drier weather
Northeast Kansas farmer Scott Gigstad says soybean planting progress is on hold for now. “We ended up getting anywhere from an inch and a quarter to anywhere around 3 and a half inches of rain last night. We’ll be out a few days.” He tells Brownfield he wrapped up corn planting recently. “Last week was […] The post Kansas farmer waiting for drier weather appeared first on Brownfield Ag News.
South-central Ohio farmer says dry soils could impact start of 2026 growing season
A south-central Ohio farmer says drier conditions in April have helped his operation get a head start on the 2026 planting season. Greg Corcoran tells Brownfield, “We’re close to halfway on beans, and corn is getting pretty close to that as well. We have a lot of seed in the ground that just hasn’t seen […] The post South-central Ohio farmer says dry soils could impact start of 2026 growing season appeared first on Brownfield Ag News.
USDA reorg moves ERS, NIFA, NASS jobs to Missouri
The USDA continues to roll out details of its reorganization. Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins says some employees of the department’s Economic Research Service and National Institute of Food and Agriculture will be relocated to Kansas City, Missouri. “USDA is getting more responsive, more efficient, and more effective.” At a stop in Missouri last week, she […] The post USDA reorg moves ERS, NIFA, NASS jobs to Missouri appeared first on Brownfield Ag News.
Economist says Brazil’s reliance on fertilizer imports highlighted by Hormuz closure
An agricultural economist with Purdue University says the longer the flow of fertilizers is disrupted through the Strait of Hormuz, the greater the impact to Brazilian agriculture. During a recent webinar hosted by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Joana Colussi says Brazil imports nearly all of its urea needs, of which 40% of […] The post Economist says Brazil’s reliance on fertilizer imports highlighted by Hormuz closure appeared first on Brownfield Ag News.
CME cash dairy prices mixed
Cash dairy prices were mixed on Monday on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, with limited trade. Dry whey up $0.0050 at $0.7025. Blocks up $0.0075 at $1.6525. One sale was made at that price. Barrels unchanged at $1.6150. Butter down $0.0175 at $1.6875. Eighteen sales were made from $1.68 to $1.6875. Nonfat dry milk unchanged at […] The post CME cash dairy prices mixed appeared first on Brownfield Ag News.
Reflections With the Owl: A Year Like No Other With Jill Sperling
California FFA begins a new legacy with its new state advisor, Jill Sperling. Take a look at reflections from the new California FFA owl.
One Creed, Many Voices: California FFA Makes History
Five California FFA members helped unite the state through presenting the FFA Creed, each paragraph shining through in a different language.
More Than a Role: A Reporter Gives Moments Meaning
A caption isn’t just a caption, and a picture isn’t just a picture. Behind every post is a story, one filled with effort, growth and moments that mattered. As a reporter, my role was never about being seen, but about making sure others were, capturing the journey behind every success so it never fades.
Small Town, Big Impact: Bluejacket FFA
Mr. Martin has built more than an agriculture program; he has created as place where students learn, lead and serve.