The impact of data continues to be a topic of discussion among farmers. Southeast Kansas farmer Ben Bellar says he has mixed feelings but is worried that the heat produced could impact crop health. “The heat could help it on the right years, but it could also really damage it in the wrong years. How
Soybeans were higher on fund and technical buying. There was also spillover support from the renewed strength in crude oil on supply concerns. The USDA’s good to excellent rating held and harvest is starting to get underway, nationally. Yield results will be watched closely due to the tight stocks-t
An ag coalition of farm and restaurant groups is calling on Congress to pass immigration reform to address workforce shortages. American Business Immigration Coalition CEO Rebecca Shi says Congress currently has a menu of bipartisan legislative solutions that would provide work permits to long-term
The University of Nebraska president says the institution’s new digital ag hub could be a game changer for the industry. Dr. Jeffry Gold says agriculture continues to evolve, and the endeavor could help producers stay head of the game. “Whether it’s due to satellite imagery, drones, robotics, fertig
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were lower on profit-taking, ahead of the week’s direct business and Friday’s Cattle on Feed report. October live cattle closed $1.55 lower at $220.70 and December live cattle closed $1.80 lower at $223.35. October feeder cattle closed $4.00
An ag economist says 2027 is expected to be another record cost year for farmers. Ben Brown with University of Missouri Extension says input cost increases will be seen across all crops. “For fuel, fertilizer and interest rates all are expected higher in 2027 relative to where we were in 2026,” he s
Dec. corn $5.35 and 3/4, up 2 and 1/2 centsNov. soybeans $13.18 and 3/4, up 14 and 1/2 centsOct. soybean meal $360.10, up $9.90Oct. soybean oil 69.88, up 23 pointsDec. Chicago wheat $7.28 and 1/2, up 6 and 1/2 centsOct. live cattle $220.70, down $1.55Oct. feeder cattle $333.85, down $4.00Oct. lean h
An agronomy specialist with Golden Harvest says crop conditions are a mixed bag across the Corn Belt. “Places look really good and then across the road not so much.” Stefan Swenson tells Brownfield challenging weather conditions have created some uncertainty for this year’s crop. “The northern Midwe
The director of the Ag Autonomy Institute at Mississippi State University says artificial intelligence is becoming an increasingly important part of agriculture. Alex Thomasson says AI can take precision agriculture a step further. “AI is taking us to the point now where we can have plant level dete
An eastern Iowa farmer says fertilizer price relief is needed sooner rather than later. Lance Lillibridge of Vinton says the situation is dire. “The check engine light is on and the engine is going to blow. We’ve got do something about it. We don’t have two years to do something about it. We’ve got
U.S. Congresswoman Ashley Hinson says fertilizer costs remain a significant challenge as farmer face tight margins. During a media call Tuesday morning, the Iowa Republican said the US needs continued investments in domestic fertilizer production. “I think those priorities are even more important ha
A south-central Iowa farmer says his 2026 fall harvest will get underway soon. Steve Kuiper raises corn and soybeans near Knoxville in Marion County. “I think we’ll cut some beans next week. We’ve got some corn that’s close. We’re debating on how much we want to dry it.” He tells Brownfield question
Lawmakers are indicating another round of Farm Bridge Assistance payments remain in the works. Minnesota Farmers Union president Gary Wertish is in Washington D.C. this week for the annual Farmers Union fly-in and tells Brownfield members of Congress are eyeing $12 billion in economic relief for far
Some farmers fear current farm policy is limiting efforts to diversify operations. Jerry Skees, is a farmer and retired ag economist in central Kentucky. “We’ve created public policy with unintended consequences that stand in the way,” he says. He is currently participating in an on-farm kernza tria
The CEO of Continuum Ag says recently announced updates to the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Tax Credit provide a clear path for farmers to benefit from incorporating regenerative ag practices. However, during a recent webinar, Mitchell Hora says documenting steps to lower carbon intensity (CI) scores i
An ag economist says higher corn prices are expected to increase feed costs for pork producers next year. Michael Langemeier with Purdue’s Center for Commercial Agriculture says finishing feed costs are expected to be 7 to 10 percent higher than 2025 through the end of this year. “That’s anywhere fr
New research from the National Swine Health Strategy could help producers limit the spread of disease. Dr. Megan Hood with Reicks Veterinary Research and Consulting says researchers are looking at ways to cut costs and improve transportation biosecurity. “We had 50 trailers that we were testing at e
Wisconsin has confirmed its first detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza in a commercial poultry flock as the disease moves across the Upper Midwest. State Veterinarian Darlene Konkle tells Brownfield, “We will be looking out more closely for it as we get into this season of the year.” “Ther
The USDA has announced a new plan to chart a path forward for American renewable energy. Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins says the American Biofuels Trade Outlook has four key pillars, starting with efforts to increase on-road ethanol blending. “USDA will identify breakthrough markets like in Latin Ameri
Cash dairy prices were mostly up Tuesday at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Dry whey was up $0.0025 to $0.7625. Two sales were reported ranging from $0.76 to $0.7625. Forty-pound cheese blocks were up $0.0150 to $1.4350. Nine sales were reported ranging from $1.41 to $1.4450. Cheese barrels were un
Direct cash cattle trade activity is quiet. Bids are at $224 live in the South at $342 to $350 dressed in the North. Asking prices haven’t surfaced. Show lists are higher in all major feeding areas as seasonal supplies are increasing. Significant trade volume is likely going to hold out until someti
Corn farmers are scrutinizing every input expecting margins to be tight again next year. Wyffels Hybrids area agronomy manager Mike Witt says fall soil tests can help inform fertilizer decisions. “And make sure if I cannot need P&K, is that somewhere where I can look at some of that. We’re always go
The Senate Ag Committee is scheduled to vote again on the farm bill on Wednesday, and the South Dakota Farmers Union president expects it to advance. However, Doug Sombke says the path forward beyond the ag committee could be challenging, given the damage that’s been done to the farm bill coalition.
Paul Noe has been named the next president and CEO of the Corn Refiners Association. The current CEO John Bode announced his retirement earlier this year. Noe has spent the last 20 years shaping public policy and regulatory strategy at the American Forest and Paper Association, along with the former
Commentary Every January, USDA gives us a snapshot of America’s cattle inventory. The January 1, 2026, numbers show that Texas, Oklahoma and Missouri account for more than 28 percent of the nation’s beef-cow herd. Those three states are traditionally the top momma-cow states in the nation, with Texa
An ag economist says Canada’s efforts to diversify its trading partners could have long-term implications for U.S. agriculture. “It’s going to put back our relationship with Canada by several years,” he says. Ian Sheldon with Ohio State University tells Brownfield, “Undermining each of the integrate
Two beef herds have been confirmed with bovine tuberculosis in northern Michigan. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development says the disease was detected during whole-herd testing in Iosco County and as part of a trace investigation related to a previous case. In May, a positive c
Brazil’s equivalent of the USDA made minor adjustments to its corn production outlook. CONAB now has the combined 2025/26 corn crop at 144.01 million tons, up 0.7% from August and 2% above 2025. That includes a second crop of 112.131 million tons, 1% higher than last month, but 1% lower than last ye
The co-founder of AgMarket.net says the USDA’s updated corn and soybean supply and demand numbers should provide support for commodity prices. Matt Bennett says the pre-harvest rally already priced in a sub-10% stocks to use ratio for corn, but there’s still reason for long-term optimism. “The corn
CHS plans to begin construction on a new soy processing plant in south-central Wisconsin soon. CHS senior vice president of product lines Brian Schouvieller says the facility in Evansville will have the capacity to process 80 million bushels of soybeans annually. “It’s going to create new market opp
