The president of Kansas State University says its new innovation and research center will be a game changer for the future of the ag industry. Richard Linton says the L. Eldon Gideon Agronomy Research and Innovation Complex helps the University expand its capacity to develop tools and management pra
The organic grain mentorship coordinator with The Land Connection says the struggling economy is taking its toll on many specialty growers. Katie Bishop says it’s important that producers, no matter their size, form a relationship with their local Farm Service Agency office. “FSA also has micro loan
Direct cash cattle trade activity remains quiet. Bids and asking prices have not resurfaced. There was a handful of business that took place on Wednesday, but not enough to establish an accurate price trend. Trade could hold out until late in the day, especially with Cattle on Feed numbers out this
An extension plant pathologist says while corn disease risk is lessening growers should keep their guard up. Dean Malvick with the University of Minnesota tells Brownfield. “We do (need to keep our guard up) in the sense that we still want to know where it’s developing and how much. Although in many
The state executive director of Indiana’s Farm Service Agency says farmers shouldn’t wait to document expected losses following record-breaking rainfall across the state. Steve Brown says work continues to evaluate the need for federal disaster assistance. “If they have damage, they need to let our
Early harvest activities are underway for a sugarbeet grower in west-central Minnesota. Harmon Wilts farms in eastern Swift County. “We just started this week with the pre-lift at Southern Minnesota Sugarbeet Cooperative.” He tells Brownfield weeds have been a problem this year. “We don’t have the n
An ag economist says he’s optimistic that some commodity prices could continue to push higher. Guy Allen with Kansas State University says corn futures moved above $5 for the first time in 18 months on Thursday. “What’s really driving the corn fundamentals, we have really good animal protein demand
Live cattle imports from Mexico are set to resume Monday. David Anderson, an ag economist with Texas A&M University tells Brownfield, “The word if is really important. Will we actually open? Will they stay open? “ He says as long as the border stays open, it will eventually add more feeder cattle to
A bipartisan group of more than 40 former farm leaders, commodity group executives and USDA officials are ramping up their calls for Congressional hearings into the ongoing farm economic crisis. Jon Doggett, past CEO of the National Corn Growers Association, says the group has sent two letters this
The President and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation says a potential trade agreement with Canda could improve market access for the industry. Gregg Doud says the Trump administration intended to impose a 50 percent levy. “That was the purpose of the threat of tariffs is to bring to this
A new partnership between Ohio State University and ag tech company Emergent is using artificial intelligence to help improve crop production practices. Scott Shearer, professor of agricultural and biological engineering at Ohio State, says RipLINK LoRaWAN will utilize field data to boost agronomic
Profit margins remain tight heading into harvest, but Ben Brown with University of Missouri Extension says there are still opportunities for farmers to make the 2026 crop profitable. With yields variable, he says producers should focus on marketing opportunities, managing fixed costs and finding eff
During the next couple of days, the most organized thunderstorm activity will occur in the Atlantic Coast States, where rainfall totals could reach 1 to 3 inches or more. Widely-scattered showers and thunderstorms will dot the remainder of the central and eastern U.S., with most locations receiving
USDA is taking feedback from Missouri farmers on how to improve and modernize data collection and rebuild farmer trust during the Missouri State Fair. One common theme from a roundtable on Thursday — stop asking farmers for the same information multiple times. “The numbers are there, they have our d
An ethanol plant in north-central Iowa is gearing up for harvest. Dave Sovereign is chairman of the board at Golden Grain Energy in Mason City. “We’re getting things cleaned up and making room. Making sure the bins are cleaned out (and) aeration system is working, conveyor system is working.” Speaki
Soybeans were mixed, mostly higher. Soybeans were watching a major private crop tour, which has reported lower than a year ago pod counts in some areas. That would impact supply, and demand is good, but contracts are overbought and traders consolidated. While near-term development weather is largely
From farm policy and industry concerns to a longstanding fair tradition, ag was front and center at the Governor’s Ham Breakfast at the Missouri State Fair. It was cool and wet for the event after 2.5 inches of rain fell in central Missouri this week, but Garrett Riekhof, a farmer from Lafayette Cou
Sep. corn $4.78 and 3/4, up 5 and 3/4 centsSep. soybeans $12.20 and 3/4, down 1 and 1/2 centsSep. soybean meal $315.70, down $2.40Sep. soybean oil 71.18, up 132 pointsSep. Chicago wheat $6.82 and 3/4, up 2 and 1/2 centsOct. live cattle $218.00, up 77 centsSep. feeder cattle $328.92, down 20 centsOct
The executive vice president of the Illinois Beef Association says work continues to assist producers impacted by the abrupt closure of the Tyson beef processing facility in Joslin, Illinois. Josh St. Peters says thousands of head of cattle that were committed to the western Illinois plant have been
Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures were up and feeders were mostly higher, preparing for widespread direct business and Friday’s USDA Cattle on Feed report. October live cattle was $.77 higher at $218.00 and December was up $1.12 at $218.27. September feeders were $.20 lower at $328.92
Cash dairy prices were mixed on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange on Thursday in light trade. Dry whey up $0.01 at $0.7025. One sale was made at that price. Blocks down $0.0425 at $1.5325. Eight sales were made from $1.5325 to $1.5525. Barrels unchanged at $1.5650. Butter unchanged at $1.43. Nonfat dr
Commercial red meat production saw a year-over-year decline in July. The USDA says 4.287 billion pounds of red meat were produced last month, down 2% on the year, with a 5% decrease for beef against to 2.085 billion pounds against a 1% increase in pork to 2.191 billion pounds. Cattle slaughter fell
An ag economist says managing risk starts with understanding farm financials. David Widmar with Agricultural Economic Insights says having a strong risk management plan can help producers navigate uncertainty. “I think we have to take the data that we see,” he says. “We need to look at November 27 p
A U.S. Representative says farmers need stable policies and expanded domestic demand. Minnesota Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach says biofuels are critical to the success of agriculture. “It’s the strongest domestic demand driver our corn growers have, and when biofuels succeed growers have a stable
An ag economist says farmers should be more proactive purchasing fertilizer for 2027. “Just from my pessimistic perspective, I really think this thing with the Strait (of Hormuz) and Iran is going to carry forward here,” Gregg Ibendahl said. Ibendahl tells Brownfield he doesn’t expect relief in pric
The CEO of the American Coalition for Ethanol says the biofuels industry is in a good place. “Overall, the health of the industry I think is very strong right now.” Brian Jennings says that’s despite low ethanol prices. “It makes ethanol blending so attractive, ethanol is trading wholesale about $1
The government relations director with the Wisconsin Farmers Union (WFU) says rising health insurance costs are adding to the financial squeeze on farmers. Michelle Ramirez-White says the subsidy changes within the Affordable Care Act (ACA) through last year’s One Big Beautiful Bill are being felt b
Direct cash cattle trade activity has been slow on Thursday following some light trading that developed on Wednesday. Sources say some business was noted in parts of Nebraska and Iowa at mostly $355 to $356, but no other deals were reported. Packer interest should improve as the week progresses, esp
The president of Heartland Farm Partners says there’s opportunities for farmers take advantage of the recent strength in commodity markets. Jeff Peterson says producers should focus on marketing their old crop grain heading into harvest first, and then, “Secondly, maybe if you’re behind on forward s
Global demand for new crop U.S. soybeans continues to be strong thanks largely to one key buyer. The USDA says new crop soybean sales during the week ending August 13th were nearly steady with the week before that and China purchased about two thirds of the total. Unknown destinations took the secon
