Soybeans were lower on fund and technical selling. The trade is monitoring near-term weather, including seasonal temperatures and rain in some areas. Contracts did finish towards the middle of the day’s session, which might be a sign the downside objectives have been met. The USDA will update their
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder were higher, optimistic about direct business. October live cattle closed $1.57 higher at $229.47 and December live cattle closed $1.40 higher at $228.67. September feeder cattle closed $2.22 higher at $348.37 and October feeder cattle closed $2.27
Sep. corn $4.36 and 3/4, down 5 and 1/2 centsSep. soybeans $11.56 and 1/2, down 2 and 1/4 centsSep. soybean meal $310.20, down $2.50Sep. soybean oil 67.72, down 48 pointsSep. Chicago wheat $6.42 and 1/4, up 3 and 3/4 centsOct. live cattle $229.47, up $1.57Sep. feeder cattle $348.37, up $2.22Oct. lea
The acting assistant director at the Illinois Department of Agriculture says the state’s local food system is receiving a boost. Kristi Jones says nearly $4 million has been awarded through the Local Food Infrastructure Program. “It needed to be a project where you were increasing storage, processin
The USDA’s weekly hatchery numbers continue to point to rising chicken production in 2026. 254.134 million broiler-type eggs were set into incubation last week, 267,000 less than the previous week, but 2% more than a year ago, even as the average rate of hatchability declined slightly to 79.1%. 194.
An agronomy manager with Wyffels Hybrids says growers should be scouting for tar spot. Robby Meeker, who covers the eastern half of Illinois and all of Indiana, says he expects reports of the disease to become more prevalent as August progresses. “Not super alarming, but it’s definitely here.” He sa
U.S. ethanol production backed off a little bit last week. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says production averaged 1.107 million barrels per day, down 26,000 from the previous week, which was the second highest weekly average on record. That was still up 26,000 from a year ago as the ind
An agronomist says the role of artificial intelligence will have a larger role in the future of ag production. Ryan Wolf with WinField United says some farmers are already using the technology, but more could be done with it. “It’s going to increase production. It’s all about ROI and that’s about in
An ag economist says the Trump administration’s recently announced tariffs on Canadian dairy products could help expand market access for U.S. dairy exports. Ian Sheldon with Ohio State University says President Trump is trying to level the playing field for U.S. dairy producers. “The U.S. believes
The director of state policy for Ohio Farm Bureau says protecting water quality remains a top priority as data center development continues across the state. Evan Callicoat tells Brownfield, “How much water are these taking in daily,” he says. “Are they plugged into a municipal water system? As long
A member of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee is pushing for a farm bill that addresses Proposition 12 and includes year-round nationwide E15. Minnesota Republican Brad Finstad says when it comes to passing a farm bill with Prop 12 and E15 language. “I want them both, and that’s the position we’r
Monitoring cattle for signs in infestations remains a priority as the industry continues to navigate New World screwworm. Tucson, Arizona feedyard owner Barbara Jackson says when live cattle imports from Mexico resume, cattle will be thoroughly inspected before crossing the border. “When they come i
Direct cash cattle trade activity was quiet on Wednesday. Bids and asking prices haven’t surfaced. Packer interest could improve as the day progresses. But, significant trade volume isn’t expected until sometime Thursday or Friday. Boxed beef was mixed at midday with light and solid demand for moder
The USDA has announced crop insurance changes to strengthen coverage and give farmers more flexibility. U.S. Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins attended Farmfest in southwest Minnesota Tuesday where she announced USDA’s Risk Management Agency will provide producers up to 60 additional days to pay crop insu
Cash dairy prices were mostly down Wednesday at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Dry whey was down $0.0025 to $0.6875. No sales were reported. Forty-pound cheese blocks were down $0.04 to $1.52. Four sales were reported ranging from $1.5125 to $1.5350. Cheese barrels were unchanged at $1.5475. No sa
The South Dakota Farm Service Agency’s state executive director says cattle feeders and feedlots across the state are reporting livestock losses following the extreme heat at the end of July. Roger Chase tells Brownfield “The number that we have right now is probably somewhere in the neighborhood of
An agronomist says growers need to mindful of southern rust as the growing season continues. Adam Byrne, technical service manager with FMC, tells Brownfield, “Southern rust came up pretty aggressively last year. It’s a very aggressive disease. It’s seven days to cycle, and it likes some of these wa
U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley says years of negotiations have led to Thursday’s farm bill markup. “The current draft includes important provisions on year-round E15 and fertilizer markets among other important provisions. Year-round, nationwide E15 would lower prices at the pump for the consumer.” Dur
U.S. ethanol exports continue to move out at a record pace. The Renewable Fuels Association says 206.1 million gallons of ethanol left U.S. ports in June, up 9% from May. Canada and the European Union, primarily the Netherlands, took in more than two thirds of the monthly total, reflecting the ongoi
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were higher waiting on direct business to develop. Feeders had additional support from the lower move in corn. October live cattle closed $1.17 higher at $227.90 and September feeder cattle closed $3.60 higher at $346.15. Direct cash cattle
A U.S. Senator from Missouri has concerns the USDA’s Farm Service Agency could reduce services at some county offices in Missouri in October. In a letter to Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins, Josh Hawley says he’s worried the pending reduction of services at the Ralls County FSA Office comes at a time whe
The latest Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer shows farmer sentiment has rebounded for the first time in three months. Ag economist Michael Langemeier, director of Purdue’s Center for Commercial Agriculture, says producers are more optimistic about the current economic outlook. “There
Soybeans were lower on fund and technical selling. Near-term development weather looks favorable, including rain in some key growing areas, and crude oil was down sharply. The USDA’s national good to excellent rating did hold over the past week but is below a year ago. China bought 132,000 tons of n
The president of American Farm Bureau isn’t mincing words when it comes to the current struggles in agriculture. Zippy Duvall says farmers continue to face low commodity prices and high input costs. “The farm economy is terrible. And along with all the things we’re doing to try to get a farm bill do
An agronomist with BASF says it’s been a challenging growing season for many producers in the Western Corn Belt. Jeff Mueller says he’s calling it a rollercoaster year. “We’ve been dry all year and we’ve been really fighting a lot of stuff. Wildfires and things have been going on. Planting, we got s
A pair of leaders with the U.S. Grains and Bioproducts Council say the organization’s checkoff funded work to expand markets is paying off. Mark Wilson, immediate past chair and Illinois farmer, says the proof is in the export numbers. “We had record corn exports last year. We’re on pace to beat tha
A leader with the non-profit Farm Rescue says more volunteers are needed as the organization continues to expand its efforts to aid farm and ranch families that are facing a crisis. Tim Sullivan tells Brownfield, “We have a network of 700 strong plus. It’s a variety. There’s a lot of CDL drivers in
Sep. corn $4.42 and 1/4, down 7 centsSep. soybeans $11.58 and 3/4, down 15 centsSep. soybean meal $312.70, down $2.70Sep. soybean oil 68.20, down 59 pointsSep. Chicago wheat $6.38 and 1/2, down 12 and 1/2 centsOct. live cattle $227.90, up $1.17Sep. feeder cattle $346.15, up $3.60Oct. lean hogs $84.3
The president of the National Pork Producers Council says a fix for California’s Proposition 12 would provide long-term certainty for pork producers. “We can’t afford to raise pigs 50 different ways,” Rob Brenneman said. “It just gets too complicated.” Brenneman says there have been some misconcepti
U.S. Congressman from Missouri says he’s optimistic about a path forward for nationwide, year-round E15 in a farm bill. Chairman Boozman had previously said it wouldn’t be included, and the provision had been separated from the farm bill in the U.S. House. Sam Graves tells Brownfield he wants to see
