Some Republican lawmakers have called for a temporary ban on diesel exports and there are questions whether it would lower fuel costs for farmers and consumers. Geoff Cooper, president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association, says RFA doesn’t have an official stance, but, “We have looked at a lot
The director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture says any moves to loosen inspection requirements on meat products threaten to undermine the integrity of the country’s food supply. Earlier this month President Trump signed an executive order that directs USDA to examine ways to lessen the regu
Market analyst Randy Martinson says he’s slightly disappointed the U.S. and China have only extended the Busan Agreement through January 2027. “The U.S. was hoping for a longer extension to give us more time and security on where the trade is going to take place,” he says. However, Martinson tells B
U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley says there’s a way to alleviate high diesel prices. The Iowa Republican tells Brownfield farm, trucking, and other industries have contacted the White House about costs that have doubled in the past year. “Just lower that price ‘x’ number of dollars. I don’t know if it’s
Farmers across the Midwest share one major concern as harvest gets underway. “Diesel prices.” On this episode of Managing for Profit, hear directly from producers who say diesel prices are having a major impact on their operations, plus economist Josh Maples from Mississippi State University Extensi
Ag Economist Scott Irwin at the University of Illinois says expanding E15 consumption in the United States could indirectly help ease some of the pressure on diesel prices. “To close the gap between the Renewable Fuel Standard mandate for ethanol and what we call the E10 blend wall,” he says. “Curre
Soybeans were lower on fund and technical selling. The trade’s waiting for Thursday’s face-to-face meeting with China. President Trump and President Xi are set to talk trade and there’s been some chatter that could include a reduction or elimination of tariffs. China did reportedly buy canola from A
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were up ahead of direct business. Feeders had additional support from the lower move in corn. October live cattle closed $2.15 higher at $220.92 and December live cattle closed $2.90 higher at $222.35. October feeder cattle closed $5.30 high
A central Illinois farmer says checkoff investments into expanding meat exports are paying off. John Klemm, who raises corn, soybeans, and cattle in DeWitt County and serves as a director on the Illinois Corn Marketing Board, says a recent mission trip to Japan with the U.S. Meat Export Federation w
The founder of Illinois-based Disco Cow says more consumers will soon have better access to their innovative whipped cottage cheese products thanks to Midwest Dairy’s Accelerator program. Kate Colehour says being crowned the grand prize winner of the 10-week, $20,000 competition is life-changing. “R
A bill to allow sales of E15 year-round has been taken up by the Michigan legislature. During a recent committee meeting, Matt Smego with the Michigan Corn Growers Association told Michigan House members this harvest is the fourth in a row corn growers will lose money. “The reality is our producers
Questions remain about China’s ag purchase commitments as the U.S. and China meet tomorrow. “You never know in these high level discussions what you’ll walk out with.” says Justin Benavidez, the chief economist at the USDA. Benavidez says China has been making progress on its 25 million metric ton s
Dec. corn $5.29, down 7 and 3/4 centsNov. soybeans $13.18, down 7 and 1/2 centsOct. soybean meal $370.30, up $1.40Oct. soybean oil 67.25, down 12 pointsDec. Chicago wheat $7.08 and 1/2, down 8 and 3/4 centsOct. live cattle $220.92, up $2.15Oct. feeder cattle $333.32, up $5.30Oct. lean hogs $79.87, u
Broiler numbers were mixed on the week, still pointing to a year-over-year rise in production. The USDA says 247.786 million broiler-type eggs went into incubation, an increase of 2.564 million on the week as temperatures in some areas eased, supporting laying efficiency, and up 2% on the year thank
A regenerative organic-certified apple grower says on-farm data is helping guide how he transitions management practices. Kyle Rasch tells Brownfield Third Leaf Farm became one of the first farms in Michigan to earn the certification about two years ago. “Organic says, don’t put anything that’s synt
Growing dairy herds in Kansas and South Dakota are helping to lift U.S. milk production despite reduced cow output. Milk production in the U.S. increased 1.7 percent in August, with production totaling 19.9 billion pounds. Per-cow production dropped a pound from the year before. USDA says farmers in
A pair of Kansas farmers says higher wheat futures are improving the outlook for the crop. But, Gary Millershaski says, he likely won’t plant any additional acres due to persistent dryness across the region. “If it’s fallow and it’s lined up to get planted to wheat, it’s going to get planted as whea
A Kansas State University ag economist projects diesel prices could hit $7 in 2027. “Farmers are in a really, really bad situation here.” Gregg Ibendahl says if global production and refinery issues were solved today, it would take an additional 12 months for major price improvement, and farmers are
Seasonal maintenance impacted ethanol production last week. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says production averaged 1.028 million barrels per day, down 71,000 on the week and the lowest in more than four months as the industry awaits newly harvested corn, but still up 4,000 on the year d
Cash dairy prices were mixed on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange on Wednesday, with a strong selloff for butter. Dry whey up $0.01 at $0.7975. Two sales were made at $0.79 and $0.7975. Blocks down $0.0075 at $1.3575. Seven sales were made from $1.3550 to $1.3650. Barrels unchanged at $1.4525. Butter
A livestock producer in northern Minnesota plans to incorporate solar grazing into the operation. Ellie Trout is a fourth-generation farmer on her family’s diversified cow-calf and sheep farm in Itasca County and says the goal is to promote green energy while keeping agricultural land in production.
The owner of one of the largest sale barns in the country says he’s still bullish on the cattle market. Jackie Moore with Joplin Regional Stockyards in Missouri says, “Because of sheer numbers, if they let supply and demand run the market, we’re fine.” But, he says, it doesn’t mean the industry will
Direct cash cattle trade activity is quiet. Bids and asking prices haven’t surfaced. Showlists this week are mixed across all feeding areas. Look for significant trade volume to hold out until sometime Thursday or Friday. Boxed beef was lower and sharply lower with light demand for moderate offering
A farmer in south-central South Dakota says he’s been contemplating locking-in diesel needs through the end of the year through the local co-op. “It’s less risk to buy now, in the short-term, then it is to wait it out,” says Bryan Jorgensen. He tells Brownfield he’s expecting diesel costs to rise an
The Iowa Corn Growers Association is seeking congressional intervention to help reduce diesel fuel prices as farmers begin harvest. In a letter to Iowa’s congressional delegation, Iowa Corn said the historically high price of fuel is accelerating economic and mental stress for producers. Steve Kuipe
An Ohio-based agronomist says early season weather challenges are impacting corn standability this fall. James Morris with Dekalb ASGROW says stalk quality issues are starting to show up in early planted corn. “These cool wet soils got wet and stayed wet,” he says. “You’re going to see some hybrids
The executive director with Nebraska Corn says ethanol exports remain a bright spot for the industry. Kelly Brunkhorst says several countries are considering a change to their mandates. “We’re starting to see a lot of conversations worldwide about U.S. ethanol about going into those markets. Moving
A southwest Minnesota farmer has been forward selling corn and soybeans ahead of harvest. “I can’t hold everything at home here, so I have to take some to town.” Bryan Biegler of Lake Wilson tells Brownfield the rally in futures prices is encouraging. “I’ve taken advantage of these markets moving up
The director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture says the state’s beef industry is still recovering from last month’s abrupt closure of a Tyson packing plant in Joslin. Jerry Costello says if Tyson agrees to sell the plant, the state is ready to offer incentives through the Invest in Illinois
Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) has selected its next leader. DMI’s board of directors announced Corey Scott will become the third president and CEO, succeeding Barbara O’Brien, who will be retiring next month. The board says Scott brings a positive and effective energy to the federation and will contin
