An agricultural economist with Advance Trading says the war in Ukraine could provide some support for the corn market, despite a record harvest in South America. Brian Basting tells Brownfield, “The corn harvest in Brazil is wrapping up. That’s the second crop corn harvest, a record corn harvest in
Demand is expected to tighten domestic new crop corn and soybean supplies. That new crop corn carryout is now seen at 1.567 billion bushels, a decline of 86 million from August as cuts to beginning stocks and 2026 production more than canceled out a lower feed and residual use figure. For old crop c
Biotechnology is a broad field, and Bayer Crop Science is using several tools to improve crop genetics and help farmers manage risk. Amanda McClerren, Bayer’s head of biotechnology, says the company is combining traditional breeding, biotech traits and newer genome-editing technology to develop crop
It’s another very quiet start for direct cash cattle trade activity. Bids and asking prices haven’t resurfaced. Yesterday, bids were floated at $340 to $348 dressed in Nebraska, but the rest of cattle country was quiet. Asking prices were at $225 live in the South, but the North was quiet. Packers a
Cash dairy prices were mostly unchanged Friday to end the week at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Dry whey was unchanged at $0.76. No sales were reported. Forty-pound cheese blocks were unchanged at $1.46. No sales were reported. Cheese barrels were unchanged at $1.4625. No sales were reported. But
Ohio’s state climatologist says researchers are working to help farmers better prepare for adverse weather conditions. Aaron Wilson says Ohio State University is evaluating management strategies to help farmers manage excessively wet and dry growing seasons. “We’re looking at controlled drainage str
The USDA has lowered its 2026 U.S. corn production guess while raising the outlook for soybeans. As of September 1st, this year’s corn crop is seen at 15.8 billion bushels, down 1% from August and 7% from 2025, but still the second largest on record, if realized. The USDA trimmed the yield estimate
Rising fuel prices are impacting farmers beyond paying more to fill up machinery. Mike Steenhoek with the Soy Transportation Coalition says the current state of gasoline and diesel costs influence the broad economy. “Particularly on diesel prices, there are so many different ways it can also seep in
An eastern Wisconsin dairy farmer says the industry desperately needs an updated farm bill. Raymond Dietrich, whose 550-cow herd is located in Brown County, says milk prices established in 2018 programs are no longer relevant. “We’re living with $17 milk, and that’s just not acceptable.” He says, “W
An ag economist says recent changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are creating new challenges for food insecure families. Shellye Suttles, food policy and program coordinator with the City of Indianapolis Office of Public Health and Safety, says SNAP participants are trying to nav
Export demand for U.S. wheat continues to be slow. The USDA says wheat export sales for the week ending September 3rd fell to a marketing year low with a handful of routine sales to regular buyers against a couple of cancelations. U.S. wheat remains relatively high priced compared to competing expor
A cold front currently spanning the country from the Northeast to the Southwest will drift southeastward and gradually weaken. Meanwhile, a new storm system and its attendant cold front will begin to affect the northern U.S. By Friday, an outbreak of severe thunderstorms may occur across the upper M
Sell corn at harvest or put it in the bin? Sam Hudson with Cornbelt Marketing says it’s a double-edged sword. “When we talk about selling with customers, we’re really talking about merchandising. Does it make sense to sell it today versus three months from now? I think that’s what the market’s tryin
An ag economist says USDA’s effort to modernize farm data could help level the playing field for farmers as private companies expand forecasting tools. Seth Meyer with MU’s Food and Ag Policy Research Institute tells Brownfield… “The fundamental purpose of these reports is to provide information sym
Two Indiana farm families are using agritourism to generate additional revenue for their operations. Chris Steele with Steele Farms says his family’s corn maze and pumpkin patch has helped the farm stay profitable. “We really made a conscious effort to raise income per acre without growing acres,” h
A food marketing specialist says small and beginning farmers are using direct-to-consumer sales to help diversify their income. Patrick Nycz with Purdue University says local farmers’ markets are a good starting point. “With direct sales, there’s an ease of entry with a wide range of opportunities,”
The state climatologist with University of Missouri Extension welcomes the rain falling across portions of Missouri this week. Zach Leasor tells Brownfield more than one inch fell across central and northern Missouri on Thursday, and more is in the forecast. “It could be another inch or two for thes
Soybeans were higher on fund and technical buying, along with the big gains in crude oil. The USDA could lower yield and raise demand projections in Friday’s reports. The big questions are – how big of an adjustment is the USDA willing to make ahead of harvest and can China be fully counted on to […
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were up, optimistic about this week’s direct business. October lives closed $1.97 higher at $217.82 and December live cattle closed $1.12 higher at $219.60. October feeder cattle closed $1.72 higher at $327.55 and November feeder cattle clos
Some farmers are using precision conservation to improve their profitability. Dallas Glazik, an Illinois farmer and precision ag conservation specialist with Pheasants Forever, says modern yield maps can help identify underperforming areas in fields that could be prime for a conservation program. “I
Dec. corn $5.33 and 3/4, up 6 centsNov. soybeans $13.32 and 1/4, up 22 and 3/4 centsOct. soybean meal $350.60, up $5.50Oct. soybean oil 71.41, up 133 pointsDec. Chicago wheat $7.41 and 1/4, up 12 and 1/2 centsOct. live cattle $217.82, up $1.97Oct. feeder cattle $327.55, up $1.72Oct. lean hogs $83.15
Conditions have steadily deteriorated since the 4th of July for a central Minnesota farmer preparing for harvest. Nick Peterson of St. Cloud says crops looked as good as they’ve ever looked heading into the Independence Day weekend. “We just kept catching quarter-inch, three-four tenths to keep the
A leader with AGCO says expanding access to on-farm service is helping farmers make better use of their time during critical seasons. Stefan Caspari, senior vice president of customer success and North America ag, says AGCO’s FarmerCore initiative is a “We Come To You” service model. “We don’t belie
The chairwoman of the Nebraska Sorghum Board says adding sorghum to a crop rotation could help improve an operation’s bottom line. Tracy Zink, a farmer from McCook, says the crop performs well in regions that are susceptible to drought. “Those are the acres you want to be looking at crop that can ha
An agricultural researcher says the profitability gap between sustainable and traditional cropping systems is evening out after four years into a project. Brook Wilke with MSU’s Long-Term Agroecosystem Research tells Brownfield, “There’s a caveat there that it varies by crop.” “We’re pushing the env
A market analyst says there are several factors that could impact the number planted to wheat this fall. Jim McCormick with AgMarket.Net says ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has partially led to a runnup in prices recently. “They’re now attacking infrastructure. They’re trying to take ou
U.S. ethanol production trickled lower over the past week. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says production averaged 1.099 million barrels per day, down 1,000 on the week and 6,000 the year, at least partially due to high temperatures hampering efficiency, while still accounting for a big
An Indiana-based hunger relief organization is working to close the protein gap for food insecure families. Daniel Leckie, CEO of Hatch, says the nonprofit recently launched its Coalition to Close the Protein Gap. “We work with the largest egg producers here in the state of Indiana,” he says. “We wo
Farmers are waiting for federal changes to Diesel Emission Fluid system regulations to take effect. EPA Region 7 administrator Jim Macy says the public comment period on proposed rulemaking ended last month. “Once that rule is finalized then absolutely you’ll be able to do all of this that was forec
Direct cash cattle trade activity was quiet. Bids haven’t surfaced. Asking prices were floated at $225 live in the South, but haven’t been established in the North. Significant trade volume could hold out until late in the Friday. Boxed beef was sharply lower and lower with light demand for solid of
