The United Soybean Board has named Courtney Knupp as its next CEO. Knupp currently serves as the director of global supply chain at the National Security Council and has nearly two decades of experience in agriculture, trade, public policy and development. She has also held positions with the USDA,
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were mixed ahead of the week’s direct business and Fridays reports from the USDA. August live cattle closed $.15 higher at $226.67 and October live cattle closed $.07 lower at $223.22. August feeder cattle closed $2.45 lower at $349.55 and S
A timely wheat harvest has some Illinois farmers optimistic about their double crop soybeans. Thomas Perkins, who farms in Effingham County, tells Brownfield, “We’ve got them planted, so they look good. Good emergence going on. It was a little wet going in, but like I said, we just kind of rolled th
A soybean pathologist says farmers should continue to scout for soybean cyst nematode throughout the season. Horacio Lopez-Nicora with OSU Extension says SCN can cause significant yield reductions without any visible symptoms. “It is a soil-borne pathogen,” he says. “Once it is introduced, it is ver
Soybeans were mixed. Soybeans consolidated after the big gain on Monday, watching demand signals and U.S. weather. The USDA’s national good to excellent rating improved when most analysts had been expecting a decline and development is ahead of average. The recent weather might have had an impact in
The president of the National Corn Growers Association says farmers are facing one of the toughest economic years in recent history. “I think we’re all worried,” he says. Ohio farmer Jed Bower says many producers are facing the fourth straight year of losses, and the current price structure isn’t wo
A coordinator with a non-profit that supports small and medium-sized meat processors says layoffs at USDA are creating challenges. Dave Carter is with the Flower Hill Institute. “The folks that are at USDA, the downsizing has really been difficult for them. But the folks that are there are just doin
Sep. corn $4.52 and 3/4, up 3 and 1/4 centsAug. soybeans $12.19 and 1/2, down 6 and 1/2 centsAug. soybean meal $326.70, up $3.20Aug. soybean oil 74.30, down 38 pointsSep. Chicago wheat $6.78, up 4 centsAug. live cattle $226.67, up 15 centsAug. feeder cattle $349.55, down $2.45Aug. lean hogs $101.50,
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association has updated its policy on the Conservation Reserve Program. Justin Robbins, an Iowa cattle producer, says members want CRP that allows managed grazing. “It just seems like around our part of the world, there’s just not a lot of pasture available. And for, yo
Iowa’s Ag Secretary says more farmers are choosing to plant cover crops to help improve soil conditions and water quality. Mike Naig tells Brownfield the state recently launched an enhanced cover crop cost share program for the Greater Des Moines Watershed. “Raising the cap on the number of acres th
The U.S. House will consider a budget resolution this week that would kick off the reconciliation process and could provide up to $12 billion in additional farmer aid. Garrett Hawkins with Missouri Farm Bureau tells Brownfield he’s cautiously optimistic about more assistance as farmers continue to f
Direct cash cattle trade activity is quiet. Bids and asking prices haven’t surfaced. Significant trade volume is likely going to hold out until sometime Thursday or Friday. Boxed beef was mixed at midday with light and moderate demand for moderate offerings. Choice was $1.02 lower at $369.08 and Sel
Purdue University’s College of Veterinary Medicine is planning its largest expansion in school history to help improve access to rural veterinary care across the country. Dr. Bret Marsh says the program will increase its enrollment from 84 students to 120. “I think it’s an opportunity to encourage m
A livestock economist says high retail prices for beef could be impacting the proteins consumers purchase. University of Kentucky’s Kenny Burdine says, “The last few weeks have probably pointed that way more than anything I’ve seen in a while.” The price of choice boxed beef, the wholesale value of
Twelve farmer networks are receiving state funding to help advance the adoption of regenerative agricultural practices across Michigan. Will Jacquinde manages the Regenerative Farmer Network Grant Program within the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. “Every farm is going to be
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s investigation into the source of a cyclospora outbreak that has sickened thousands of people across the country continues. Acting Commissioner Kyle Diamantas says there have been more than 1,600 confirmed cases. “For this particular cluster, we have also seen
The president of the Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition says a new five-year farm bill is just as critical for livestock producers as it is for row crop farmers. Cliff Schuette, who raises cattle in southern Illinois, says key cost share programs that livestock producers rely on are already underfunde
Cash dairy prices were mixed Tuesday at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Dry whey was up $0.0025 to $0.6975. No sales were recorded. Forty-pound cheese blocks were up $0.03 to $1.66. Three sales were recorded ranging from $1.6350 to $1.6575. Cheese barrels were unchanged at $1.6275. No sales were re
An agronomist with CHS expects farmers to alter fall fertility plans. Corey Klaphake covers southern Minnesota and says cutbacks are likely because of high fertilizer prices. “I think definitely there will be some cutting back no doubt, on the phosphates probably in particular is what the big conver
U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley says he supports efforts in the House to provide more financial aid to farmers. The Iowa Republican tells Brownfield the assistance would help address rising input prices. “The justification for it expressed by the President is the Iran war is drawing up the price of dies
A cow/calf specialist with the University of Illinois Extension says the Asian longhorn tick has been confirmed in three more Illinois counties. Dr. Teresa Steckler tells Brownfield the invasive species has been discovered in Jefferson, Marion, and Wayne Counties. “This tick will congregate on anima
Few phrases in rural America carry more weight than eminent domain. On paper, it is simply a legal tool. It is an administrative process used to acquire land for public projects. But for the people who live on, work, and build their lives on that land, it is anything but procedural. It is personal,
Looking ahead, the 6- to 10-day outlook calls for hotter-than-normal weather nationwide, with the Intermountain West and the central and southern Plains having the greatest likelihood of experiencing unusual heat. Meanwhile, near- or above-normal rainfall across the Desert Southwest, Deep South, and
Brownfield’s Kellan Heavican covers the K-State Risk and Profit Conference. The post K-State Risk and Profit Conference appeared first on Brownfield Ag News.
Tropical Storm Bertha will continue to drift generally westward, nearly parallel to the northern Gulf Coast. Only slight further strengthening of the heavily sheared storm is expected, and landfall could occur in southern Louisiana as early as late Wednesday or early Thursday. Bertha’s impacts may i
A farmer in eastern South Dakota says last week’s heat dome didn’t have much impact on the corn at his farm, which is tasseling. Travis Renkly farms in Brookings County, and he says the rains ahead of Independence Day were enough to help the crops get through the hot week. However, more rain is need
Crop conditions are moving in the right direction for Nebraska farmers. USDA’s latest weekly crop update shows corn improved from 63 to 65 percent good to excellent, while soybeans went from 65 to 68 percent good to excellent. Corn development is close to normal with 60 percent silking and 6 percent
A farmer in eastern Missouri says corn and soybeans are doing better than expected in mid-July, considering the soil compaction issues that happened during the wet spring. Jim Boerding, who farms in St. Charles County, tells Brownfield “time will tell. I’m sure we’ll see some declining crops due to
Soybean condition ratings improved during the week in Kansas. USDA’s latest weekly crop update says beans in good to excellent condition advanced from 69 to 72 percent. Twenty-two percent of the crop is setting pods, compared to the five-year average of 14 percent. Corn condition ratings held steady
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle finished the day higher on oversold signals. August live cattle closed $2.10 higher at $226.52 and October live cattle closed $2.60 higher at $223.30. August feeder cattle closed $6.05 higher at $352 and September feeder cattle closed $6.90
