At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were supported by technical buying ahead of widespread direct business. August live cattle closed $3.32 higher at $231.22 and October live cattle closed $3.47 higher at $227.45. August feeder cattle closed $2.20 higher at $346.47 and Septemb
Soybeans were lower on fund and technical selling. China bought another 132,000 tons of new crop U.S. soybeans ahead of the open, and last week’s new crop sales were solid at 49 million bushels, primarily to China and unknown destinations. Old crop sales were above average at 11.1 million bushels, w
An agronomist says mistakes made during planting are evident. Michael Fosdick covers eastern Iowa for Pioneer and says some growers faced short planting windows and less than ideal conditions this spring. “There was a lot of work to get done, and there’s times when the envelope has to get pushed.” S
Sep. corn $4.45 and 3/4, down 3 and 1/4 centsAug. soybeans $11.77 and 1/4, down 3/4 centAug. soybean meal $314.10, down $1.20Aug. soybean oil 68.35, down 82 pointsSep. Chicago wheat $6.63 and 1/2, up 2 and 3/4 centsAug. live cattle $231.22, up $3.32Aug. feeder cattle $346.47, up $2.20Aug. lean hogs
Some Missouri farmers say the corn is on track for an earlier than usual harvest this fall. Southwest Missouri farmer Brad Arnold tells Brownfield the corn on his farm is already in full dent and drying down. “Usually we’re at least testing the corn around September 1, but this year it wouldn’t surp
Sugar producers are renewing calls for changes to federal trade policy as they continue to face tremendous financial pressures. Luther Markwart is the Executive Vice President for the American Sugarbeet Growers Association. “I’ve worked in sugar professionally for 47 years, and when you look across
A Canadian ag trade leader says it’s unclear if U.S. negotiators have any decision-making power as talks continue between the two countries. Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance executive director Michael Harvey tells Brownfield, “When you go to Washington, almost the only person who has any influence
A farmer in northwest Missouri says the crops are at a tipping point, and what happens with the weather moving forward makes a difference. “If we don’t get some good rain, we’re going to really start possibly losing some yield.” Andy Hull in Nodaway County tells Brownfield he’s been satisfied with h
New World screwworm has kept the border closed to cattle trade with Mexico for the better part of 2 years. Barbara Jackson, a rancher and feedyard owner outside of Tucson, Arizona says the news that live cattle imports from Mexico would resume August 24th was welcomed. “Being closed has been huge ec
A crop specialist says he’s concerned that heavy pest pressure could impact corn production in southwest Nebraska. Shawn Becker with Hogemeyer Hybrids tells Brownfield, “We are seeing a lot of Western Bean Cutworm this year. High percentages and a lot of acres are being treated.” He says the cause f
The president of the Nebraska Farm Bureau says a recent trade mission to Southeast Asia underscored the growing competition U.S. producers are facing. Mark McHargue says Japanese and Philippine buyers expressed concern about the price of ag products like beef, pork, wheat and ethanol compared to oth
The Illinois wheat checkoff is up and running. “It officially started July 1st, where assessments were being withheld from grain settlements.” John Howell, who farms in southwestern Illinois and chairs the Illinois Wheat Development Board, says the voluntary penny and a half per bushel assessment br
Tar spot has been confirmed in Ohio for the first time this year. Adam Byrne, a technical service manager with FMC, says early season weather patterns created the right environment for disease development. “We know it’s out there and we know the conditions were right to start the season,” he says. “
Cash dairy prices were mixed Thursday at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Dry whey was up $0.0125 to $0.6825. One sale was reported at that price. Forty-pound cheese blocks were down $0.0125 to $1.5325. Two sales were reported ranging from $1.5325 to $1.54. Cheese barrels were down $0.0050 to $1.547
Direct cash cattle trade activity has been slow to pick up. Bids have been floated in Nebraska at $235 live and $365 dressed. Asking prices are at $234 to $235 live in the South and $370 dressed in the North. Look for business to pick up as the day progresses. Boxed beef was lower at […] The post Mi
New crop corn and soybean export sales were solid during the week ending July 23rd. The USDA says new crop corn showed a week-to-week improvement led by unknown destinations and Mexico, and while new crop soybeans were down on the week, sales were still strong with China and unknown topping the list
A new partnership with the National 4-H Council, Tractor Supply Company, and Starlink is helping expand access to reliable internet in rural communities. Jill Bramble, president and CEO of the National 4-H Council, says more than $500,000 from Tractor Supply Company will help bring new digital resou
A regional EPA administrator says the agency is working to ensure farmers don’t lose access to effective crop protection tools. Region 7’s Jim Macy says EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention has been reviewing thousands of labels since the administration took office. “We had about
A jump in the wheat market is catching the attention of producers. “Prices jumped up in the last week. We were going to have 90 acres to plant this fall, but now we’re up to 300 acres.” Central Illinois farmer Lance Muirhead, who inserted wheat into his corn and soybean rotation about five years ago
Farm Rescue volunteers are stepping up to assist farmers and ranchers affected by wildfires in Nebraska. Tim Sullivan, executive director emeritus, says it’s been a troubling year for many producers in the state. “It’s been one of those things where people are desperate,” he said. “They got totally
An agronomist says crop conditions have been a mixed bag across the Midwest. Ryan Harbison with AgroLiquid says some of the best corn and soybean fields he’s seen are in southern Illinois. “You get outside of there though and it gets really varied,” he said. “It just depends where the rains came thr
New research from the Soil Health Institute could help dairy farmers improve forage quality and overall sustainability on their operations. Dr. Maria Cloutier says Wisconsin farmers using reduced tillage and grazing are seeing more consistent forage production. “There is a 7% increase in organic car
Across the Corn Belt, beneficial rain from the Mississippi Valley westward is helping to stabilize crop conditions that had deteriorated during the recent hot, dry spell. In the western Corn Belt, soybeans rated in good to excellent condition on July 26 ranged from 46% in North Dakota to 61% in Nebr
Showers and thunderstorms currently affecting the central Plains will drift eastward, delivering much-needed rain later Thursday across the western Corn Belt before reaching the remainder of the Midwest on Friday and Saturday. Event-total rainfall should reach 1 to 3 inches or more, except for lower
A commodity broker says he’s keeping a close eye on several grain market factors heading into August. Tommy Grisafi with Ag Bull Trading says variable weather conditions have been impacting grain prices. “Wide temperatures, hot temperatures,” he said. “Some places have too much rain, but where we ar
A new report from the American Farm Bureau Federation reveals a projected $32 billion in losses for major row crop producers in 2027. On this episode of Managing for Profit, AFBF’s John Newton talks about steps growers can take to help them cut costs and try to improve profitability. The post Farmer
The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service has issued an interim final rule to clarify that most wetland determinations made since late November 1990 are considered certified. The interim final rule provides more certainty for farmers, allowing them to use existing determinations to install d
A beef feedlot management specialist says extreme heat and environmental conditions created the potential for significant cattle losses at some South Dakota feedlots. “It’s certainly been a tough week to be a cattle feeder in South Dakota,” says Warren Rusche, South Dakota State University Extension
Soybeans were sharply lower on fund and technical selling. Near-term weather forecasts look non-threatening in many key growing areas. Longer-term outlooks are a little less certain and August is a key month for beans, so that will continue to be watched closely and could leave the market volatile.
Brownfield and Wyffels Hybrids are partnering to present the Corn Belt Award to high school students who demonstrate outstanding leadership qualities, show good character, and participate in school and community activities. 56 high school students will be selected for this award from the states of I
