The chief marketing strategist with Zaner Ag Hedge says he wants more clarity on China’s $17 billion U.S. ag purchase commitment as the two countries meet this week. “I think there’s a lot of confusion about that $17 billion in ag and ag related products, not including soybeans,” says Ted Seifried.
Direct cash cattle trade activity is quiet as buyers and sellers prepare for the week ahead. Bids and asking prices have yet to surface. Significant trade volume isn’t expected until late in the week. There was very little business reported by the USDA last week. Dressed deals in the North were at $
A lot of corn left U.S. ports during the week ending September 17th. The USDA says corn export inspections were up solidly on both the week and the year, with the current marketing year pace now ahead of a year ago. The main destinations were the key markets of Japan and Mexico, both of which […] Th
Cash dairy prices were mixed Monday to start the week at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Dry whey was unchanged at $0.78. No sales were reported. Forty-pound cheese blocks were up $0.0150 to $1.3650. Two sales were reported ranging from $1.3525 to $1.3650. Cheese barrels were unchanged at $1.4525.
A member of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee is frustrated because the Senate has yet to pass a farm bill. Minnesota Republican Brad Finstad says the House passed its version at the end of April. “This is one of those things that common sense isn’t so common in Washington D.C. I mean you have so
An agricultural economist with the University of Illinois says the pre-harvest market rally can be attributed to several factors. During a recent FarmDoc webinar, Gary Schnitkey says over the past month producers have seen commodity prices improve, primarily due to global conflict. “We’re seeing exp
Every growing season is an opportunity for farmers to learn how they can improve weed management. Corteva Agriscience technical field agronomist Jeff Bode says 2026 offered plenty of opportunities to evaluate weed control strategies to help better prepare for next season. The post Weed Control Evalu
An ag economist says widespread USDA farm program payments are expected for crop farmers beginning next month. David Widmar with Ag Economic Insights tells Brownfield farmers will receive the higher payment from either the Ag Risk Coverage program or Price Loss Coverage program. “In some cases, you
Cattle placed into feedyards in August were down 9 percent from last year. Mississippi State University Extension ag economist Josh Maples says, “This is the lowest for any August placements number that we’ve got on record.” He says placements have been below year-ago levels for the 10 of the past 1
Sign-up is now open for 2026 USDA farm programs, and an ag economist says the later enrollment period gives farmers more information for their decision. Bart Fischer at Texas A&M University says the yield picture is clearer. “When you’re evaluating things like the ARC program, ARC-CO moves on prices
The president of the National Farmers Union says a stronger farm safety net is needed in the farm bill. Rob Larew tells Brownfield that despite updates to farm programs in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, there are still huge gaps. “If you look at the current commodity markets, you see some price lif
Soybeans were lower on fund and technical selling, while ending the week with modest gains. China bought 111,000 tons of U.S. beans ahead of the open, the first reported sale in a few days ahead of a trade delegation visiting Washington D.C. in the coming week. No confirmation, but there has been a
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live cattle were mostly lower, feeders were down watching and waiting on direct trade and those On Feed numbers from the USDA. October live cattle closed $.27 higher at $215.92 and December live cattle closed $.37 higher at $216.62. October feeder cattle closed $.
Dec. corn $5.27 and 1/2, down 3 centsNov. soybeans $13.03 and 1/2, down 16 and 1/4 centsOct. soybean meal $354.60, down $14.10Oct. soybean oil 67.70, down 98 pointsDec. Chicago wheat $7.14 and 1/4, down 12 and 3/4 centsOct. live cattle $215.92, up 27 centsOct. feeder cattle $323.50, down 87 centsOct
The assistant director of the TIAA Center for Farmland Research with the University of Illinois says cash rental rates are expected to stay steady heading into next year. During a recent FarmDoc webinar, Dr. Juo-Han Tsay notes the recent market rally is being offset by high input costs, so rental ra
The president of the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association says economic challenges have weighed on many producers. Craig Moss, a producer from Hull, says cattle prices might be high, but that doesn’t mean profitability. “What has been equally as high is the input costs associated with raising cattle. At the
Placements of cattle into U.S. feedlots fell sharply in August. The USDA says placements of 1.617 million head were below pre-report estimates, dropping 9% on the year because of lower supplies, high feed costs, and ongoing drought in some of the major feeding areas. That’s the lowest placements tot
Live cattle from Mexico are expected to begin crossing into the U.S. through the Santa Teresa port of entry in New Mexico on September 24th. This marks the first shipments since the summer of 2025 when the USDA halted crossings because of New World screwworm concerns. Cow/Calf operator Tom Paterson,
An Indiana pork producer says the industry remains cautiously optimistic Congress will find a way to address California’s Proposition 12 law in a new farm bill. “We have hope,” she says. Jackie Bowman Ponder with the National Pork Producers Council says there is still a path forward for a permanent
Some organic fruit growers can now protect their crops with more specific crop insurance options from USDA. Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce tells Brownfield, “We’re trying to be able to be in a position to support specialty crop growers in a more meaningful way.”
Some agricultural equipment companies are finding more affordable ways for farmers to upgrade technology. “It’s moving fast and software and AI is moving even faster.” Jeff Pettit with Canadian-based Haggerty AgRobotics says the best innovations incorporate the producer into development process. “I’
An agronomist says there are growing concerns about widespread standability issues in corn this fall. Andy Swanson covers southeast Nebraska and southwest Iowa for Wyffels Hybrids. “Just about every hybrid has some kind of stalk integrity, crown rot and stalk rot issues going on right now.” He tells
USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service has launched AgInsights to help make report data more accessible and interactive. Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce tells Brownfield the tool is one of many ways the agency is working to update technology and better se
The director of climate change and rural strategies with the Institute for Agriculture & Trade Policy says the Trump administration’s plan to import 300,000 metric tons of tariff-free beef is a win for the industry’s big four meat packers. During a recent webinar, Ben Lilliston says it’ll cut packer
An ag economist says record-high diesel prices could reshape the cost of agricultural transportation. “It takes a lot of diesel to move goods and services throughout the economy,” he says. David Widmar with Agricultural Economic Insights says the long-term impacts will likely be felt throughout the
Cash dairy prices were mixed Friday to end the week at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Dry whey was up $0.0075 to $0.78. No sales were reported. Forty-pound cheese blocks were down $0.0725 to $1.35. Thirteen sales were reported ranging from $1.35 to 1.4050. Cheese barrels were unchanged at $1.4525.
Work continues to re-establish rye as a viable crop in Kentucky. South Central Kentucky farmer John Halcomb of Walnut Grove Farms says it’s going to take time. “As we started to try to figure out how to bring it back, we said, this is a 40-year project,” he says. “This is not something that’s going
Direct cash cattle trade activity is off to another quiet start following the light round of business that took place Thursday. Cattle on Feed numbers are out this afternoon so business could wait until very late in the day to develop. Neither bids or asking prices have resurfaced. The bulk of the w
A farm-to-table business owner says rising fuel prices are negatively impacting her bottom line. Traci Walkowski sells produce and pasture raises turkeys and chickens in Hutchinson, Minnesota and tells Brownfield traveling to farmers markets is getting more expensive. “Obviously we don’t see the imp
Farmers across the Midwest share one major concern as harvest gets underway. “Diesel prices.” West-central Indiana farmer Kevin Cox says $6 diesel takes a quick toll on a producer’s bottom line. “To keep the machines running and to keep all the semis on the road, you’re 500 to 1,000 gallons per day,
