Increasing global demand for U.S. dairy is a key topic at this week’s K-State Risk and Profit Conference in Manhattan. “Our cheese exports are extraordinary,” said Gregg Doud, President and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation. “Way beyond what we’ve seen or done before.” Doud says dairy is
President Trump’s nominee to lead the United Nations World Food Program says he stands ready to serve if selected for the position. “The president actually called me on the phone to offer me the opportunity to be the US nominee, which was incredibly special for me.” Luke Lindberg, who’s currently th
Keystone Cooperative’s senior technical agronomist says this year’s record-breaking rainfall could have an impact on the 2026 crop. Jason Roth says excess moisture throughout the growing season has left some fields more vulnerable to crop stress. “The longer they sit underwater, the worse it’s going
An engineer and drone operator says larger machines are diversifying how the technology can be used across all segments of agriculture. Michael Vandekolk tells Brownfield, “This year’s been a year first for us actually.” “I’ve used the drone to spray planted potted mums,” he shares. “Last night I wa
The 2026 Governor’s Sale of Champions at the Illinois State Fair was another resounding success for the state’s top youth livestock exhibitors. Jerry Costello, director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture, says the results of the sale are a reward for the hard work and dedication displayed by
A market analyst says having a marketing plan can help farmers take advantage of rallies in the commodity markets. On this episode of Managing for Profit, Jim McCormick with AgMarket.Net talks about what producers should look for in a professional relationship with a grain merchandiser or a marketin
Showers will gradually become less organized in the Midwest, though temperatures will remain mostly favorable for filling to maturing summer crops. Meanwhile, the focus for heavy rain will shift into the eastern U.S., with 5-day totals reaching 2 to 4 inches or more in portions of the Atlantic Coast
New analysis finds farmers 65 and older account for the majority of farm fatalities in Wisconsin. Roger Aby with the National Farm Medicine Center tells Brownfield, “We notice aging farmers are at significant risk, and we see a lot of roadway collisions involving slow-moving farm equipment.” Since 2
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were lower waiting for direct business to develop. Feeders led the way down on the higher move in corn. October live cattle closed $1.70 lower at $217.22 and December live cattle closed $2.05 lower at $217.15. September feeder cattle closed
Soybeans were sharply higher on fund and technical buying. Traders are watching a major private crop tour, with results generally below a year ago. Still, near-term development weather does look favorable and there’s a long way to go until harvest gets underway on a widespread basis. Demand is solid
Indiana Farm Bureau’s Taste From Indiana Farms is an opportunity to connect fairgoers to the state’s agricultural industry. Mindy Orschell with the Women’s Leadership Committee says the annual exhibit allows consumers to sample products that local farmers produce. “We love educating fairgoers about
The president of the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association is cautiously optimistic China will continue buying U.S. soybeans. Ryan Mackenthun farms near Brownton and says China has been an active buyer despite ongoing trade disruptions. “With the Section 301 tariffs, I just heard they bought (more)
Sep. corn $4.73, up 9 and 3/4 centsSep. soybeans $12.22 and 1/4, up 21 and 1/2 centsSep. soybean meal $318.90, up $5.90Sep. soybean oil 69.86, up 17 pointsSep. Chicago wheat $6.80 and 1/4, up 15 and 3/4 centsOct. live cattle $217.22, down $1.70Sep. feeder cattle $329.12, down $4.22Oct. lean hogs $81
Broiler hatchery numbers continued their faster than a year ago pace as the industry continues to try to meet demand. The USDA says 250.381 million broiler-type eggs were set into incubators, down 591,000 on the week with laying at least somewhat impacted by high temperatures, but up slightly on the
A southeast Nebraska farmer says he’s considering changes to his crop management plan because of tight margins in 2027. Jay Hansen says he usually locks in prices in the fall, but, “We’re going to watch things. It looks like now is the time to be looking at nitrogen. For phosphate, we’re going to ho
The chief credit officer with Farm Credit Illinois says producers that are proactively managing their bottom line seem to be weathering the current financial storm better than their counterparts. Mike Gunderson tells Brownfield, “Producers that made good decisions in ‘25 came out of that season in a
A north-central Iowa farmer says his crops are in excellent condition as the growing season enters its final stages. Stu Swanson tells Brownfield, “We finally have turned the corner. It’s been either too dry or too wet the last few years. It’s nice to see a good crop growing out there.” He says cond
A farmer in central Missouri says corn harvest is expected to begin soon. Andy Clay from Moniteau County tells Brownfield… “We’re gonna try to get the combine and the grain dryer rolling. But then, you know, we were still planting beans in July, too, a little replanting, because all the June rain. B
The South Dakota Congressional delegation says a farm bill will need bipartisan support if it’s going to cross the finish line by the end of the year. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a member of the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee, says lawmakers are still trying to find a path forward on a far
Two northwest Missouri youth exhibitors have the Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion Steers at the Missouri State Fair. “It’s really a dream come true,” says Reagan Rodgers, a member of the Savannah FFA Chapter. Rodger’s steer was Grand Champion and will be in the Sale of Champions on Saturday
Cash dairy prices were mostly down Wednesday at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Dry whey was down $0.0025 to $0.6925. One sale was reported at that price. Forty-pound cheese blocks were down $0.0025 to $1.5750. Two sales were reported at $1.58 and $1.5825. Cheese barrels were unchanged at $1.5650.
U.S. ethanol production declined over the past week. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says ethanol production averaged 1.089 million barrels per day, down 28,000 on the week as high temperatures in parts of the region reduced plant efficiency, but up 17,000 on the year as producers respond
A new digital platform could help farmers make more informed management decisions in corn and soybeans. Gary Schaefer, chief commercial officer with InterPlant, says CropVoice Whole Farm is another tool to help farmers evaluate fungicide timing. “With InnerSoy and InnerCorn, they actually confirm to
Direct cash cattle trade activity is still relatively quiet. Bids are being offered in the North at $225 live and $355 dressed, and in Texas at $225 live. Asking prices have been noted in Texas at $230, but it has been quiet in other parts of cattle country. Look for more business to develop over […
The president of the Illinois Pork Producers Association says the industry needs a new farm bill to include a legislative fix for California’s Prop 12. Katie Brown, a fifth-generation hog farmer in Christian County, says the House passed a bill addressing the animal confinement law, but it was not i
An American Farm Bureau economist is eyeing a small window for Congress to provide certainty for agriculture. John Newton tells Brownfield the clock is ticking once the August Recess concludes. “And I think folks in farm country need to talk to their members of Congress while they’re back home this
The CEO of Growth Energy says year-round E15 legislation currently has the most momentum its ever had. Emily Skor says the issue has been debated for more than a decade. “We have incredibly strong bipartisan support in the House and Senate,” she said. “We had our E15 compromise bill pass the House i
The USDA’s Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs says the USMCA review process has had both successes and challenges. Luke Lindberg tells Brownfield significant progress has been made in negotiations with Mexico. “I know the teams have been in consistent communication,” he said.
Workers at Cargill’s Fort Morgan, Colorado beef plant have agreed to a new five-year labor deal, ending an 89-day lockout, that clears the way for the company to resume processing. Livestock economist David Anderson with Texas A&M University says this is much-needed good news for the beef industry.
U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley is concerned about the sudden closure of a beef processing facility in the Midwest. Tyson shuttered its Joslin, Illinois plant last week. “Well it’s going to be tough on the cattle producers of eastern Iowa, very tough.” He tells Brownfield there are outstanding contracts
