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An ag economist says USDA’s effort to modernize farm data could help level the playing field for farmers as private companies expand forecasting tools.  Seth Meyer with MU’s Food and Ag Policy Research Institute tells Brownfield… “The fundamental purpose of these reports is to provide information symmetry into the market. You don’t want some folks The post USDA data modernization could level playing field for farmers appeared first on Brownfield Ag News.     

Two Indiana farm families are using agritourism to generate additional revenue for their operations. Chris Steele with Steele Farms says his family’s corn maze and pumpkin patch has helped the farm stay profitable. “We really made a conscious effort to raise income per acre without growing acres,” he says. “We tried to use as many The post Indiana farmers using agritourism to generate new revenue streams appeared first on Brownfield Ag News.     

A food marketing specialist says small and beginning farmers are using direct-to-consumer sales to help diversify their income. Patrick Nycz with Purdue University says local farmers’ markets are a good starting point. “With direct sales, there’s an ease of entry with a wide range of opportunities,” he says. “There’s also low costs associated with it. The post Direct-to-consumer sales creating new income opportunities for Indiana farmers appeared first on Brownfield Ag News.     

The state climatologist with University of Missouri Extension welcomes the rain falling across portions of Missouri this week. Zach Leasor tells Brownfield more than one inch fell across central and northern Missouri on Thursday, and more is in the forecast. “It could be another inch or two for these locations in the next seven days. The post Missouri rain brings drought relief, but driest areas need more appeared first on Brownfield Ag News.