Missouri Corn Growers Association CEO Bradley Schad says President Trump’s recent effort to provide relief from high diesel costs complements steps already taken by several states. “Having both of them in effect gives the allowability for more savings at the pump,” says Schad. The president’s execut
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has signed a proclamation to temporarily suspend state penalties for vehicles using dyed diesel to transport certain ag products on the roads. In a statement on social media, Reynolds said it’s in-line with President Trump’s recent executive order, and it will lower costs
The president of the Wisconsin Soybean Association says the announced construction of a new CHS soy processing plant in the south-central part of the state is exciting for growers across the region. Doug Rebout, who farms in Rock County where the plant will be located, tells Brownfield, “I think it’
Direct cash cattle trade activity remains quiet at Tuesday’s open with both bids and asking prices still elusive. Trade will likely be delayed until later in the week. Boxed beef is sharply higher with Choice $4.20 higher at $382.46, and Select $2.05 higher at $360.62. The Choice/Select spread is $2
A fifth-generation farmer says he plans to increase no-till management this fall to help mitigate the current cost of diesel. “If it doesn’t have to be tilled this fall, it’s not going to get it—definitely going to hold off on that a lot.” Michigan grower Brad Kamprath raises corn, soybeans, and whe
President Donald Trump is taking steps that he says could lower fuel costs for America’s farmers and ranchers. Speaking at a rally in Grand Island, Nebraska, Monday night, he said, “I’m going to sign a historical executive order to officially wave the off-road requirement and allow anyone to purchas
The executive director of Invest in Our Land, a nonpartisan group aimed at ensuring farmers have adequate access to conservation support, says concerns continue to mount around staffing levels within the USDA. Rebecca Bartels tells Brownfield, “Twenty-three percent of USDA NRCS staff were cut.” She
For decades, the Illinois corn checkoff has partnered with organizations like the U.S. Meat Export Federation to help develop overseas markets for corn-fed meat products. In this Managing for Profit, John Klemm, a DeWitt County farmer and director with the Illinois Corn Marketing Board, discusses se
The only significant U.S. rainfall during the next 5 days will fall along and near the Gulf Coast, with a northward surge of precipitation expected at week’s end into the southeastern U.S. The late-week rainfall surge may be associated with a tropical cyclone, which is expected to develop in the nex
October is officially pork month in Missouri. Missouri Ag Director Chris Chinn presented a proclamation from Governor Mike Kehoe to the Missouri Pork Association leadership at an event in Hermann on Monday. Missouri ranks seventh in hog production in the United States. The state has 3.3 million head
The Michigan 4-H Foundation says its $12 million capital campaign has surpassed the halfway mark. Director Abbey Miller tells Brownfield, “We are over 60 percent to that goal already.” “Through the Beyond Ready campaign, a large portion of that is focusing on our county endowment efforts,” she says.
A farmer in northwest Missouri says he’s back harvesting corn after multiple days of heavy rain and there’s been some damage. “It’s not in every ear for sure, but it’s definitely in every field,” Ryan Meyerkorth tells Brownfield. “Some fields have it in percent, some of it 20 percent. We’re not able
An extension agronomist says the latest stretch of wet weather brought more rain than she was anticipating. Meaghan Anderson with Iowa State University says fields have been soggy in both the Western and Eastern Corn Belts. “There are some folks in Illinois who were struggling with downed corn after
Some southwest Missouri cattle producers remain optimistic about herd expansion despite lingering drought concerns. Vance Keaton says he’s purchasing cattle for his operation. “We’ve been adding some,” he says. “And we’re finally getting paid for the product we produce and we can make a profit. We’r
A southeastern Michigan farmer says he just started harvesting soybeans on Monday. Brad Kamprath grows corn, soybeans, and wheat just north of the Ohio border in Monroe County. “We had that inch rain last Wednesday, Thursday, so field conditions are not perfect, but they’re not bad yet either,” he s
Soybeans were modestly higher on fund and technical buying. The trade was assessing the impact of recent harvest delays, while expecting better conditions this week. The USDA says 25% of the crop is harvested, compared to the five-year average of 33%, while 85% is dropping leaves and 57% is rated go
A central Illinois farmer says he’s over half done harvesting a disappointing 2026 corn crop. Derek Martin, who grows corn, soybeans, and cover crops in Logan County, says excessive rains and hot temperatures during the growing season took a toll on yields. “It depends on how your farm lays.” He say
A south-central Wisconsin farmer says harvest is just getting underway in his area. Doug Rebout, who raises corn, soybeans, and cattle in Rock County, tells Brownfield, “We started harvesting soybeans yesterday and so far, we are very pleasantly surprised. If everything continues this way, we could
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle futures were pressured by technical selling as traders watched the distribution of the showlist. Boxed beef was up at midday, but that’s been inconsistent recently. December live was down $1.50 at $219.97 and February was $1.10 lower at $222
Corn and soybean harvest has been sluggish in Minnesota due to cool and wet conditions. USDA says 12 percent of the state’s corn crop has been harvested as of Sunday, behind the five-year average pace of 16 percent. Minnesota soybeans are 25 percent harvested, which falls short of the five-year aver
Wet weather led to a slowdown in harvest activity across Iowa last week. The USDA’s Crop Progress report shows just 7 percent of Iowa corn has been harvested, up two percentage points from the week prior – but well behind the five-year average pace of 20%. Soybean harvest was essentially at a stands
Dec. corn $4.97 and 1/4, down 1/2 centNov. soybeans $12.80 and 3/4, up 2 and 1/2 centsDec. soybean meal $347.10, down 40 centsDec. soybean oil 69.35, up 73 pointsDec. Chicago wheat $6.92 and 1/4, up 9 and 1/4 centsDec. live cattle $219.97, down $1.50Nov. feeder cattle $330.12, down $1.02Dec. lean ho
Extremely wet weather in part of the Midwest and Plains delayed fieldwork for some farmers last week. The USDA says 23% of U.S. corn is harvested, compared to the five-year average of 27%, with 83% of the crop mature and 54% rated good to excellent, down 3%. 25% of soybeans are harvested, compared t
A west-central Ohio farmer says the 2026 harvest season is officially underway. Owen Niese says yields have been encouraging. “We’re not going to set any records, but I would say we’re right at average,” he says. He tells Brownfield, “I’ve been shelling 20 percent moisture corn, and I’ve been pretty
A western Kansas farmer says the ongoing wet weather has significantly delayed harvest progress. Clay Schemm says he’s several weeks behind schedule, but he plans to get started this week. “We’ve had some fields that have had to get zeroed out with the lack of rain that we’ve had up to this point. I
A west-central Indiana farmer says he’s about halfway through the 2026 harvest season. Tyler Everett says this year’s crop has exceeded expectations. “Our soybean yields have been tremendous,” he says. “We’ve seen everything from good to extremely good. These are probably some of the highest soybean
South-central Nebraska farmer Randy Uhrmacher says this week’s dry and warm weather could lead to an uptick in harvest pace. “We finally got going on harvest Saturday afternoon at 3 o’clock. That’s somewhere around 2 weeks behind schedule. It seems like we’ve had nothing but rain over the last 3 wee
The CEO of the United Soybean Board says growing global demand continues to create opportunities for U.S. soybean exports. Courtney Knupp tells Brownfield the rise in soybean meal sales has been a bright spot. “As we see an increase in crush capacity, the checkoff has helped us to react to those rea
House Ag Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson told farmers in northern Missouri late last week the U.S. House and Senate Ag Committees have been working out the details of the farm bill. Marc Zell, who farms in Linn County, was one of about 40 farmers in attendance. “They’re hoping to get the farm
Kentucky farmer and author Wendell Berry once said, “the soil is the great connector of lives, the source and destination of all”. Which means farmers and ranchers are entrusted to protect and preserve it. For Michigan farmer Kyle Rash, that has meant looking for alternatives to protecting their cro
