A market analyst says China’s purchases of U.S. ag goods have been supportive to prices, but there’s still work to be done. Dan Basse, is the president of AgResource Company. “China still has about 10 million metric tons beans, which we would estimate somewhere in the vicinity of $5 or $6 billion an
As harvest picks up across the Midwest, many farmers remain concerned about input prices for next year’s crops. Casey Kelleher, who farms in southeastern Wisconsin, says record high diesel prices and uncertainty about where they might go in the future are weighing on his budget. “You could have book
A commodities economist says the grain markets are disappointed with the lack of immediate purchases from China as more details are unveiled from last week’s meeting. “I think the markets had unrealistic expectations that we were going to immediately see orders on the books,” says Arlan Suderman. Su
Corteva Agriscience technical field agronomist Jeff Bode calls harvest a great time to look back at the season’s weed control program and to start planning for next season. He tells Brownfield there are several steps growers can take to get the most from harvest and start preparing for 2027. The pos
Across the Corn Belt, a band of rain stretching from southeastern Nebraska into the Great Lakes region is leading to renewed corn and soybean harvest delays. Meanwhile, warm, dry weather across the lower Midwest favors an acceleration of summer crop maturation. In Ohio, 48% of the corn was mature on
Looking ahead, the 6- to 10-day outlook calls for near- or above-normal temperatures nationwide, with the western U.S. having the greatest likelihood of experiencing unusual warmth. Meanwhile, near- or below-normal precipitation across most of the country, including the Midwest, should contrast with
A pesky low-pressure system near the middle Atlantic Coast will slowly weaken and drift northeastward, with diminishing impacts on coastal beaches battered by high winds, heavy rain, and tidal flooding. Meanwhile, the focus for significant weather will shift toward the southwestern and central U.S.,
The director of USDA’s Midwest Climate Hub says farmers will need patience this fall as repeated rainfall continues to cause harvest delays. Dennis Todey tells Brownfield, “What has happened now is going to affect us from a soils and harvest perspective for several weeks, if not a couple months at t
A U.S. Senator is hearing skepticism from farmers about a possible export ban on diesel. Minnesota Democrat Tina Smith visited a farm in southwest Minnesota Friday. “The price of diesel is upper most on everyone’s mind. And there was a lot of skepticism I would say amongst this group of farmers abou
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were mostly higher with boxed beef up at midday, waiting on direct business to develop. October live cattle closed $.20 lower at $218.87 and December live cattle closed $1.05 higher at $222.15. October feeder cattle closed $3.17 higher at $3
Soybeans were mixed, mostly weak, but ended the week in solidly positive territory. Aside from the trade truce extension, there very little immediate news for commodities from the meeting with China, which put some early pressure on prices. There’s talk that actual details could be coming early next
An extension forage specialist is concerned about how silage will be impacted by a wet fall in parts of the Corn Belt. Shelby Gruss is with Iowa State University. “This may seem backwards, but the longer we wait by the time we’re able to harvest most likely it’s going to be drier coming out of […] T
Dec. corn $5.28 and 1/4, up 3/4 centNov. soybeans $13.19, up 1 and 1/2 centsOct. soybean meal $373.90, down $2.20Oct. soybean oil 67.26, up 33 pointsDec. Chicago wheat $7.03 and 1/4, down 3 and 3/4 centsOct. live cattle $218.87, down 20 centsOct. feeder cattle $334.92, up $3.17Oct. lean hogs $78.22,
An ag meteorologist says an active weather pattern could bring some long overdue drought relief to parts of the U.S. wheat belt. Matt Makens says regions west of Interstate 35 are improving. “We’re starting to see thunderstorms creeping into that region – in the panhandles and getting wetter. If the
The U.S. is expected to raise more turkeys in 2026 than in 2025. That’s in-line with hatchery data and projections for rising production as the industry tries to meet demand. The USDA says 198.5 million turkeys will be raised in the U.S. this year, 3% more than last year, with only a couple of the [
Poultry production was up last month. The USDA says 4.646 billion pounds of poultry were certified wholesome during August, rising 4% on the year. Chicken accounted for most of that total at 4.197 billion pounds, 3% more than a year ago, and turkey made up 438.458 million pounds, 8% higher. Processi
An economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation says there’s a common misconception that cattle producers are benefiting from record-high beef prices. Faith Parum says the connection between grocery store prices and farm income isn’t always what consumers think. “I think the biggest thing, and
Demand differences for red meat and poultry showed up in the USDA’s latest cold storage update. Red meat supplies at the end of August were up 8% on the year at 862.128 million pounds, including a 5% rise in beef to 407.115 million pounds and a 12% increase in pork to 436.268 million pounds, despite
A group of Ohio farmers say record-high diesel prices could threaten the financial viability of their operations. “It’s really looking bad for our budgets.” West central Ohio farmer Scott Haerr says the current state of the ag economy is making it difficult for producers to secure their harvest need
A new corn leaf disease has been identified in Michigan, and researchers say it’s likely widespread in the Great Lakes region. “We’re finding it pretty much in every field that we walk into at this point in time.” Michigan State University plant pathologist Marty Chilvers tells Brownfield, “It resem
The CEO of the National Cotton Council says he’s not expecting Senate floor time for the farm bill before lawmakers leave for the October recess. Gary Adams says it’s not showing up on the Senate’s floor calendar yet. “This is an issue that’s going to be moved or pushed into the lame duck session.”
A market analyst says a combination of factors are strengthening soybean basis in the Northern Plains this fall. Randy Martinson with Martinson Ag Risk Management, based in eastern North Dakota, tells Brownfield a rise in exports means local crush plants are competing for products, and there’s other
Persistent wet weather is expected to keep a north Iowa farmer out of the field through at least the first few days of October. Mike Yegge grows corn and soybeans in Winnebago County and says harvest is on hold. “As of (Friday), we’ve got rain in the forecast for the next week. I think we’ll […] The
Direct cash cattle trade activity remains quiet. Sellers appear to be holding out for better money. Asking prices have surfaced in the South at $228 live, but are unclear in the North. Bids are at $220 live in the South and $345 dressed in the North. There’s been a handful of trade reported in Nebra
A leader with the National Agricultural Law Center says understanding farm bankruptcy trends requires looking at more than just Chapter 12 filings. Senior staff attorney Elizabeth Rumley says Chapter 12 is specifically designed for family farmers and fishermen with regular annual income. “If you don
Cash dairy prices were mixed Friday to end the week at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Dry whey was unchanged at $0.8050. No sales were reported. Forty-pound cheese blocks were down $0.02 to $1.3075. Three sales were reported ranging from $1.3075 to $1.32. Cheese barrels were unchanged at $1.4525.
The CEO of the U.S. Soybean Export Council says China’s panda gift is a goodwill gesture that signals an improvement in the U.S. and China relationship. “They talk about panda dipolmacy and historically, as China allows foreign countries to display their pandas, they don’t do that if they aren’t get
Airable Research Lab is creating new soy-based products to help grow demand for U.S. soybeans. Jerry Bambauer farms in Auglaize County and is a member of the United Soybean Board. “We’re making new uses for our soy products,” he says. “The lab is working very hard to increase the demand for soy and
A new program from the American Dairy Association Mideast is helping schools navigate the USDA’s updated federal nutrition standards. Jenny Crabtree, senior vice president of communications, says Smart Swaps provides nutritionists with recipes and resources to help them meet the new guidelines. “We’
The state of Michigan is investing nearly $2 million in research projects to better understand the impacts of PFAS in agriculture. Laura Johnson is the Chief Science Officer at the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. “The science is ever evolving, and what we’ve started to noti
