The USDA is expanding crop insurance coverage for grape growers in Michigan and Ohio. Brandon Walters is a Senior Specialty Crop Insurance Specialist with GreenStone Farm Credit Services. “It guarantees you a percentage of your average historical yield,” he explains. “It can vary from 50 up to 85 pe
As the week progresses, there will be a shrinking footprint of summer-like (90°F) heat, which currently extends from the southern half of the Plains into portions of the middle and southern Atlantic States, as well as the southern Corn Belt. By Friday, lingering warmth will stretch from coastal Texa
As more farmers and landowners look to adopt conservation and regenerative agricultural practices, some challenges could arise with land rental agreements. In this Managing for Profit, Megan Dwyer, director of conservation and nutrient stewardship with the Illinois Corn Growers Association, explains
The USDA’s 2025 farm program payments being issued are the largest since the programs were established in the 2014 Farm Bill. “I think it will be surprising and will depend on where you’re at in the country,” says Richard Fordyce, Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation at USDA. The Far
A new meat lab at the University of Missouri is expected to help address meat processing workforce shortages and advance research for the livestock industry. The Michael L. Parson Meat Lab is named for former Governor Parson. “When you look at a lab like this, you’re talking about state-of-the-art.
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live cattle were mixed, feeders were lower waiting on direct business to develop. December live cattle closed $.45 lower at $226.60 and February live cattle closed $.10 higher at $229.57. November feeder cattle closed $.85 lower at $341.10 and January feeder cattl
Soybeans were lower on fund and technical selling. The trade was expecting a solid week-to-week advance in harvest, with weekly crop progress and condition numbers delayed until Tuesday by Monday’s federal holiday. Weekly export inspections will also be out Tuesday. That anticipated advance follows
Dec. corn $4.83, up 3 and 1/4 centsNov. soybeans $12.87 and 3/4, down 4 and 1/4 centsDec. soybean meal $368.70, up $3.10Dec. soybean oil 68.63, up 61 pointsDec. Chicago wheat $6.72 and 1/4, up 1 and 1/4 centsDec. live cattle $226.60, down 45 centsNov. feeder cattle $341.10, down 85 centsDec. lean ho
Michigan’s governor has declared a state of energy emergency, allowing temporary use of dyed diesel fuel on public roads. National Corn Growers Association President and Michigan farmer Matt Frostic tells Brownfield record diesel prices have been compounding profitability challenges for farmers. “Wi
Perfecting the Waters of the U.S. rule. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin says the WOTUS has lacked clarity. “You could use a term like ‘drought’ or ‘low tide’ and not define it, and then we can finalize a decision and not define it. And it ends up being an imperfect WOTUS definition.” He tells Brownfiel
A north-central Ohio farmer says record-high fuel costs will likely have an impact on his plans for the 2027 crop year. Owen Niese says he’s carefully evaluating every decision. “We’re going to be making some different decisions on how much and where to spread fertilizer,” he says. “It’s also how mu
The director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture says the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s decision to deny disaster assistance to several Illinois counties following a series of August storms is concerning. Jerry Costello says a letter from FEMA stated that assistance was “not warranted.
A director of raw material procurement and trading says investments in regenerative agriculture could help strengthen the food supply chain and create opportunities for farmers. Brad Morrison is with corn-processor Primient. “We are promoting practices that can improve soil and water conservation,”
A northeast Nebraska farmer says he’s harvesting the best soybean crop he’s ever raised. “We’ve seen from mid 70s to over 80 (bushels per acre.)” Michael Stanek says despite a few weather setbacks, he says it’s been an incredible start. “Evidently the beans liked the growing season and the late rain
Direct cash cattle trade activity is quiet. Bids and asking prices haven’t surfaced. This comes following another very slow week of business last week. Significant trade volume is likely going to hold out until sometime Thursday or Friday. Boxed beef was higher at midday with solid demand for modera
The associate director of transportation and infrastructure with the Illinois Farm Bureau says more guidance has been released for farmers wanting to use red dyed diesel on the highway. Rodney Knittel says documentation is key. “The Illinois Department of Revenue gave out a list of needed documentat
Cash dairy prices were mostly up Monday to start the week at the CME. Dry whey was unchanged at $0.86. No sales were reported. Forty-pound cheese blocks were up $0.0050 to $1.39. Four sales were reported ranging from $1.38 to $1.39. Cheese barrels were unchanged at $1.4525. No sales were reported. B
An ag economist says harvest results and crop quality are among the key factors influencing the corn market right now. Allendale’s Greg McBride says the market has a clearer picture of this year’s crop. “There are going to be some quality concerns in some of these areas whether that’s corn or beans,
USDA is projecting a larger alfalfa crop in 2026, while expecting production of other types of hay to decline. Alfalfa and mixtures production is pegged at 50.562 million tons, 6% larger than the August estimate and 1% more than 2025, thanks to slightly higher acreage and a modest rise in average yi
The president and CEO of the American Seed Trade Association says several key policy issues remain on their agenda before the end of 2026. Andy LaVigne says getting a new five-year farm bill across the finish line is at the top of the list. “We really would hate to come back next year and have […] T
A farmer in west central Missouri is finding discolored soybeans as he starts harvesting this week. “I think most everyone is seeing the same discoloration. They’re just kind of ugly, but the yield seems to be holding,” Tom Waters, a farmer in Ray County, tells Brownfield. “We’re not getting any doc
The University of Missouri is expanding its ag research, education and workforce development capabilities with four new and upgraded facilities. That includes processing and equipment updates for Missouri Foundation Seed. Denny Mertz farms in eastern Missouri and is a board member on the Missouri So
The executive director of the Illinois Corn Growers Association says expanding the National Corn to Ethanol Research Center at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is monumental for the industry. Rodney Weinzierl says the organization’s $2 million investment into the project is an opportunity t
A fuel economist says over-the-road diesel prices have slightly backed off from their record high set late last month. Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy, says diesel spiked to an all-time high of $6.52 per gallon on September 22nd. “It has fallen back to about $6.29 a gallon,”
An ag economist says farmers expect farmland values to remain strong according to the latest Ag Economy Barometer. Joana Colussi with Purdue’s Center for Commercial Agriculture says the long-term farmland value expectations index reached a record high in September. “Alternative investments, interest
Michigan State University’s Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Center is officially complete and fully operational. Barry Bradford is chair of dairy management in the Department of Animal Science. “The growth in what we can do here is amazing, and I’m not bashful about telling people for now, this i
A market analyst says the USDA surprised grain traders with its corn yield increase in its October supply and demand report. Don Roose says the U.S. corn yield increased 2.7 bushels per acre from last month, now at an average 181.2 bushels per acre, and made some demand adjustments. “When you cut to
Missouri is expanding its temporary dyed diesel exemption to all motorists, aligning with President Trump’s executive order on diesel tax relief. Garrett Hawkins, president of Missouri Farm Bureau, says it’s good to see farmers get some flexibility to address higher diesel prices. “Certainly, we app
Corteva Agriscience U.S. Agronomy Leader for Herbicides and Nitrogen Stabilizers Dr. Eric Scherder says while a program approach to weed control is not a new concept, it is an effective way to see better results in the field and mitigate weed resistance. He tells Brownfield that approach includes st
Investing in the future of corn. The National Corn to Ethanol Research Center is set to undergo a $17 million expansion. Illinois Deputy Governor Andy Manar says the state is investing $15 million to boost its top industry. “This expansion is focused on translating breakthroughs in a lab to jobs out
