A southern Missouri cattle producer is raising questions about the Missouri Department of Agriculture’s grant selection process after reviewing a list of recipients. In a Conservatives for Rural Missouri Facebook post, George Sholtz said roughly a third of the awardees hold state leadership, board,
Weather challenges across the world are bringing global grain supplies into question. EarthDaily global crop intelligence lead Nick Ohrtman says Europe has struggled with drought. “The European crop has been, it’s more or less toward the end for a lot of it. But the last part of it really burned up,
The Food + Farm Exploration Center has named Jill Makovec of Dane and Grant/Iowa counties an inaugural Rooted in Gratitude Community Catalyst Honoree, recognizing her leadership, communication and service on behalf of Wisconsin agriculture and rural communities. Makovec’s connection to agriculture b
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were lower watching direct business. Feeders led the way down on the higher move in corn. October live cattle closed $2.52 lower at $223.80 and December live cattle closed $2.90 lower at $222.80. September feeder cattle closed $5.90 lower at
Soybeans were higher on fund and technical buying. The USDA’s production guess was up on the month due to higher acreage numbers, which canceled out a cut in yield. Still, there are some expectations that yield could decline further once harvest gets underway. New crop ending stocks were larger, wit
A wheat extension educator says he expects near record wheat yields across Michigan. Michigan State University’s Dennis Pennington says, “I think growers were surprised when they went to the field.” “The yields were better than what they were expecting,” he shares. “I think that is attributed partly
The USDA added more corn and soybean acres in its latest production estimates, which included the first survey-based yield forecasts of the season. Sam Hudson with Cornbelt Marketing tells Brownfield “That’s 2.8 million acres between corn and beans alone, combined. It’s just a huge total, 183.5 mill
The Food and Drug Administration says it is taking steps to increase transparency in the food safety system. Acting commissioner Kyle Diamantas says the FDA has proposed changes to modernize the Generally Recognized as Safe regulations. “By proposing mandatory grass notifications, we are closing cri
An Extension educator says proactive testing is helping farmers better understand their risk of PFAS exposure. Michigan State University Extension’s Faith Cullins Nobis tells Brownfield, “Right now we don’t have any food safety regulations or regulations that require farmers to test land or water fo
The CEO of the U.S. Soybean Export Council says export demand for U.S. soybeans looks strong ahead of fall harvest. Jim Sutter says U.S. soybean export sales at this point in the marketing year are the highest they’ve been in the past four to five years. “Some people say if that’s the case, why hasn
Sep. corn $4.57, up 20 and 1/4 centsSep. soybeans $11.64 and 3/4, up 17 and 1/4 centsSep. soybean meal $308.50, up $3.50Sep. soybean oil 69.16, up 59 pointsSep. Chicago wheat $6.52 and 3/4, up 22 and 1/2 centsOct. live cattle $223.80, down $2.52Sep. feeder cattle $339.35, down $5.90Oct. lean hogs $8
An eastern Iowa farmer says he’s looking forward to representing corn growers on the Iowa Corn Promotion Board after being elected to the position. Lance Lillibridge of Vinton says the board helps oversee the investment of funds generated by the Iowa corn checkoff. “The promotion board works heavily
The USDA has lowered its expectations for 2026 red meat production, while increasing projections for poultry. Beef production is now estimated at 24.967 billion pounds, down 321 million from July on a slower second half slaughter pace, with an average steer price of $245.35 per hundredweight, a drop
Two Indiana ag leaders say participating in USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) “lockup” gives the industry a first-hand look at how the agency produces market-sensitive reports. Ed Ebert, senior director of market development with the Indiana Corn Growers Association and the Indi
The president of Farmers National Company says a major shift in farmland ownership is underway across rural America. Paul Schadegg tells Brownfield that more than 150 million acres are expected to change hands at least once over the next 10-to-20 years. “It’s being driven by the age of operators and
A south-central Kansas farmer says corn harvest is right around the corner. “Probably within the next 7-10 days.” Justin Noland farms southwest of Wichita, and he says his crop is about two weeks ahead of the average pace. “The heat that we’ve been having has kind of pushed things along quite a bit.
Several Midwestern states held primary elections last week, reminding me once again of the importance of voting. No matter what level of government – county, state or federal – casting a ballot is one of the most direct ways we can help shape our communities. It’s also a reminder that laws don’t jus
An agronomist with Beck’s says crops across southeast Iowa have performed exceptionally well this growing season. Greg Shepherd tells Brownfield, “Some of the heat was really causing the corn to be rapidly growing, especially through the late vegetative stages and the early reproductive phases. But
U.S. ethanol production rose slightly over the past week. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says production averaged 1.117 million barrels per day, up 10,000 on the week and 24,000 on the year as the industry responds to demand expectations and margins, boosting domestic usage of corn. Etha
Farmers planted more cotton and rice in 2026 than originally expected. Those acreage adjustments did push production projections higher on the month, but a lower yield guess for cotton and year-over-year decline in rice acres have production for both crops below a year ago. Upland cotton is now seen
Tight margins have many farmers already considering their 2027 crop budgets. Scott Beck, President of Beck’s Hybrids, says research shows seed purchases typically make up 12 to 14% of a producer’s annual input costs. “The value of seed being the most consistent in a cost per acre and it delivers the
2026 U.S. sorghum production will be considerably smaller than 2025. The USDA sees this year’s crop at 296.44 million bushels, a drop of 140.85 million on the year due to lower yield and acreage, both of which have been impacted by drought in parts of the Plains. This year’s yield is now pegged at 5
Researchers are wondering why southern rust was much less of a problem in corn compared to last year. University of Minnesota Extension plant pathologist Dean Malvick says the pathogen is blown in from southern states, so the amount of disease and timing of spread play a big role. “So that the spore
The smallest U.S. wheat crop in decades continues to shrink. The USDA now has combined production at 1.531 billion bushels, 5 million less than July, due to cuts in winter wheat acreage and non-durum spring wheat yield projections. Winter and spring wheat production numbers were both down from a mon
There’s a light round of direct cash cattle trade that’s being reported. Dressed deals in Nebraska are marked at $368, which is $2 lower than the previous week’s weighted average basis. However, there’s not enough business yet to establish a full price trend for the week. Look for additional trade t
The Minnesota Farmers Union is prioritizing the Conservation Title of the next farm bill. MFU vice president Anne Schwagerl says they will continue to advocate to lawmakers during the August recess. “Really advocating strongly for the things that we care most about, namely I want to protect the cons
Cash dairy prices were mostly unchanged Wednesday at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Dry whey was unchanged at $0.6975. No sales were reported. Forty-pound cheese blocks were unchanged at $1.6050. No sales were reported. Cheese barrels were unchanged at $1.5475. No sales were reported. Butter was d
The USDA has raised their expectations for 2026 U.S. corn and soybean production. Corn is now seen at 16.013 billion bushels, with soybeans at 4.519 billion bushels, both up slightly from July with lower yield projections more than canceled out by increased planted and harvested area numbers for bot
A trade policy expert says the International Dairy Foods Association is working to expand new market opportunities for U.S. dairy exports. Becky Rasdall Vargas says IDFA’s latest Project Diversify report shows Uzbekistan to be an emerging export market in Central Asia. “Dairy is a great product for
Soaring fertilizer prices are leading many farmers to adjust their nutrient management plans. Drew Beckman, field agronomist with Beck’s Hybrids, says research shows many producers are applying more nitrogen than is economically optimal. “On our PFR farms we find that 160 units of overall nitrogen i
