Corn and rice harvest is underway in Arkansas, and other parts of the Delta. In eastern Arkansas, Nathan Reed tells Brownfield farmers are pleased with corn yields. “I think it’s the best corn crop I’ve ever had. First time in three years I’m positive going into harvest with a good crop and better p
Minnesota Pork director of public policy and strategy Lauren Servick says producers can participate in an on-farm sustainability report and qualify for a grant. Minnesota Pork president Todd Selvick, a pig farmer from southern Minnesota, says he’s completed the report and sees several practical bene
Minnesota Pork director of public policy and strategy Lauren Servick says producers can participate in an on-farm sustainability report and qualify for a grant. Minnesota Pork president Todd Selvick, a pig farmer from southern Minnesota, says he’s completed the report and sees several practical bene
The Mizzou Meat Market on the University of Missouri campus opened in mid-August. Bryon Weigand, the director of the Michael L. Parson Meat Science Education and Training Lab, tells Brownfield the new market is larger than the previous location in Columbia. “It’s located South of the Trowbridge Live
Corn harvest is underway in parts of Missouri. Brice Fischer in Bates County tells Brownfield he started harvest five days ago, and it’s one of the earliest good corn crops he’s ever had. “I think everybody that took advantage in the area of planting in March is going to get rewarded. There’s a litt
A farmer in south-central South Dakota says the corn crop looks surprisingly good, given the below-average rainfall this growing season. “If you look at our total rainfall, we are about half of what we typically get in a season,” says Trent Kubik. “Well below average for rainfall, but it’s been very
The prestigious Iowa State Fair Sale of Champions raised a record-breaking $734,000 for ag youth on Saturday. The event was highlighted by a $155,000 sale for the Grand Champion FFA Market Hog exhibited by Jillian Woodruff of Moorland. The Reserve Grand Champion 4-H Market Steer, shown by Chloe Roge
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were lower on technical pressure, feeders had additional pressure on the higher move in corn. October live cattle closed $4.32 lower at $213.60 and December live cattle closed $4.30 lower at $214.20. September feeder cattle closed $4.80 lowe
Some members of Iowa’s congressional delegation are raising concerns about President Trump’s proposal to temporarily increase imported beef supplies. Republican Congresswoman Ashley Hinson told reporters at the Iowa State Fair that increasing foreign beef imports “is a bad idea.” “This should be dri
A southeast Iowa farmer anticipates variable yields because of up and down growing conditions this summer. Mark Jackson grows corn and soybeans near Oskaloosa and says this year has had its challenges. “Definitely an adverse year when it comes to rain, highs and lows. Averages show that we’re on ave
Atlantic, Iowa farmer Glen Smith has been sworn in as the USDA’s Under Secretary for Rural Development. “What I bring is truly rural America and farming,” he said. “My whole family farms. I’m a fifth-generation farmer from western Iowa. My son took over active management of the farm here when we cam
Cattle were able to cross from Mexico into the US for the first time since May 2025. Mike Sulpizia, a cattle buyer and marketing manager for Superior Cattle Company in California, says it’s a long time coming and Monday was an important first step. “It’s a start and we just need to be patient and […
Soybeans were lower on profit taking and technical selling. Last week’s major private crop tour is projecting record yield potential and development weather looks favorable. Still, solid demand and crush margins pulled contracts off of the day’s lows. The USDA says 60% of soybeans are called good to
An extension crops educator expects some very good corn and soybean yields this fall in Minnesota. Dave Nicolai with the University of Minnesota says the growing season started off well with early planting and adequate moisture. “We didn’t have excessive rain in places where we have ended up with dr
Sep. corn $4.91 and 1/2, up 7 and 3/4 centsSep. soybeans $12.16, down 9 centsSep. soybean meal $320.30, up $2.60Sep. soybean oil 67.13, down 222 pointsSep. Chicago wheat $6.81 and 3/4, up 1/4 centOct. live cattle $213.60, down $4.32Sep. feeder cattle $324.22, down $4.80Oct. lean hogs $81.12, up 25 c
A farmer in Southeast Michigan says he’s only had about two good rains this entire growing season. Blaine Baker tells Brownfield, “Someplace around the 4th of July, we were getting dangerously dry, and picked up about 3 inches.” “Then about two weeks ago we picked up almost another 3 inches,” he sha
A west central Wisconsin farmer says nearly ideal growing conditions have farmers in his area optimistic for the coming harvest. Darin Von Ruden, whose family operates an organic dairy farm in Vernon County, tells Brownfield, “Right now we’re in one of those belts where we’ve had an exceptional year
U.S. crop ratings generally declined over the past week. That followed another widely mixed week of weather, and falling condition ratings are not uncommon ahead of or during harvest. The USDA says 57% of U.S. corn is good to excellent, down 3% on the week, with 86% at the dough making stage, 45% de
Legislation to delist the gray wolf from the Endangered Species List remains stalled in the U.S. Senate. Northern Minnesota rancher Miles Kuschel says the Pet and Livestock Protection Act has cleared the House. “And it’s currently trying to get on the Floor in the Senate, so I’d call and urge all yo
A central Indiana farmer says he’s concerned recent flooding could have an impact on this year’s corn and soybean crop. Alan Dunn says his area has gotten more than nine inches of rain since August 9th. “When you look at it from the road, it looks remarkably good,” he says. “We haven’t started to se
A southwest Nebraska farmer says his crop conditions are a mixed bag. Roric Paulman says his irrigated crops are in great shape. “I think we’re going to have as good of a crop as we’ve ever had.” However, he tells Brownfield, dryland crops are a drastically different story. “I’d be surprised if any
A northwest Ohio farmer says he’s concerned about the quality of the 2026 crop. Justin Gravatt tells Brownfield, “We’ve been getting about an inch of timely rainfall every week this month,” he says. “That’s what has been keeping the crops going for the most part.” According to the latest USDA crop p
A northeast Kansas farmer says it’s been an incredible year for his corn and soybean crops. Lance Rezac says while May was abnormally wet, conditions have near perfect since then. “Some of the lower ground on the corn won’t be great, but we’ve harvested silage and most appraisals were above average
U.S. egg production was up in July. The USDA says 9.3 million eggs were produced last month, an increase of 4% on the year, as the number of laying hens grew 4% to 378.535 million head while the average number of eggs per 100 layers was unchanged at 2,457 eggs. Future expansion plans look mixed […]
Sorghum basis futures have begun trading on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Ag economist Guy Allen with Kanas State University says it will provide more price transparency and discovery. “It will provide more price transparency and price discovery. I know the last couple of years when we came into
Red meat in cold storage grew over the past month, while poultry stocks shrank. The USDA says that end the end of July, there were 839.408 million pounds of red meat in freezers, up 2% on the year as pork swelled 9% to 439.427 million pounds, above the year-over-year increase in production, while be
U.S. agriculture leaders are encouraging trade negotiators to keep talking following the breakdown in discussions with Canada over the weekend. Bryan Goodman with Agricultural Coalition for USMCA tells Brownfield, “When you get that renewed and get everything worked out in that agreement, you don’t
A dairy market analyst says recent closures of beef processing plants are pressuring producer profitability. American Dairy Coalition’s Sherry Bunting tells Brownfield producers are going to have to pay more to transport their animals. “That’s going to cost roughly $80 to $100 per head, which, depen
The director of water policy at the Prairie Rivers Network says an eight-year legal fight over pollution from a major ethanol refinery on the Illinois River has ended. Robert Hirschfeld says Alto Pekin, LLC (formerly Pacific Ethanol Pekin) has agreed to pay a $75,000 civil penalty and fund a $125,00
The Trump administration is updating its guidelines for federal school meal programs to incorporate food raised by U.S. farmers and ranchers. Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins says the goal of the initiative is to serve healthier, nutrient dense meals to children. “The rule, among other things, will promo
