Articles by nedvedmedia
Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: April 2, 2026
May corn $4.52 and 1/4, down 2 centsMay soybeans $11.63 and 1/2, down 5 centsMay soybean meal $315.20, down $3.00May soybean oil 68.94, up 183 pointsMay Chicago wheat $5.98 and 1/4, up 3/4 centJun. live [Read More…]
Rising fertilizer and diesel prices are putting unexpected pressure on cattle producers this spring
Many cattle producers are feeling the pain from the sudden rise in fertilizer prices. Charley Martinez with the University of Tennessee says larger producers likely purchased many of their inputs late last year. “Smaller producers [Read More…]
Slaughter cattle market remains competitive
The market manager for the Missouri Department of Agriculture says the slaughter cattle market continues to bring historically high prices. Tony Hancock says there has been a lot of competition for those cattle at sale [Read More…]
Economists worry interest rates could climb due to Middle East conflict
The conflict in the Middle East is likely to impact ag lending. Gary Schnitkey, farm management specialist with the University of Illinois, says federal spending is ballooning because of the military action. “Longer-term interest rates, [Read More…]
AFBF economist says retail egg prices down 57% from 2025
An ag economist says retail egg prices declined in March as the poultry sector works to recover from losses due to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. Bernt Nelson with the American Farm Bureau Federation says prices [Read More…]
Missouri farmers wait as rains stall fieldwork
A farmer in west-central Missouri says the recent rains are delaying early planting, and while the moisture is needed, it’s heavier than expected. “So far, we’ve had a little more than four inches since the [Read More…]
NGFA tracking key ag transportation bills
The CEO of the National Grain and Feed Association says they are tracking two bills that could have major implications for ag transportation. Mike Seyfert says the current surface transportation authorization expires at the end [Read More…]
An active pattern continues for many; cooler days ahead for only some of the Heartland
Looking ahead, the 6- to 10-day outlook calls for the likelihood of near- or above-normal temperatures, except for cooler-than-normal conditions in parts of the Northeast and from southern Texas to the southern Atlantic Coast. Meanwhile, [Read More…]
Finstad eyes quick action on year-round E15 after recess
A member of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee says year-round, nationwide E15 negotiations are in a good place going into the April recess. Brad Finstad is a Republican from Minnesota. “We had a lot of [Read More…]
Profit taking, crude oil pull soybean, corn futures lower
Soybeans were modestly lower on profit taking and technical selling. The USDA acreage numbers were slightly bullish, but the quarterly grain stocks report was bearish. With this of numbers out of the way, the trade’s [Read More…]
Dairy in position to meet protein, healthy food demand
A dairy leader says health-conscious consumers are paying more attention to dairy foods. Gregg Doud with the National Milk Producers Federation tells Brownfield the protein dynamic and change in consumer demand is real for several [Read More…]
Michigan growers invited to join on-farm soybean research trials
An extension specialist says on-farm research plots can help farmers experiment with products or practices with limited risk. Michigan State University’s Eric Anderson tells Brownfield, “We’re trialing these products on a limited number of acres, [Read More…]
Another year-over-year gain for broiler sets, placements
2026 U.S. broiler hatchery numbers remain on pace to top 2025, implying a larger U.S. flock and increased meat availability. The USDA says 254.778 million broiler-type eggs were set into incubators last week, while 195.791 [Read More…]
USDA forecasts more cotton acres as prices rise—but drought could affect the crop
The USDA says there will be an increase in cotton plantings this spring, higher than some were expecting. Jody Campiche with the National Cotton Council says a boost in cotton prices likely helped. “The NCC [Read More…]
March brings drought relief for some, dryness for others
A meteorologist with Aura Commodities says much of the Midwest has benefited from a wet month of March. Xander Lowry says the eastern Corn Belt has seen some needed relief from the lingering drought. “It’s [Read More…]
USDA planting survey response rate low, raising concerns about farmer trust
The farmer response rate for USDA’s Prospective Plantings survey was the lowest it’s ever been for the March survey. Seth Meyer, the director of the University of Missouri’s Food and Ag Policy Research Institute, says [Read More…]
Using a proactive crop management plan to mitigate risk in 2026
Working to maximize yields in 2026. In this episode of Managing for Profit, Syngenta agronomist Jami Loecker says creating a proactive crop management plan could help growers mitigate risk. The post Using a proactive crop [Read More…]
An active, moisture-laden weather pattern across the Heartland; temps vary greatly
Across the Corn Belt, wet snow in portions of the upper Great Lakes region, especially near Lake Superior, contrasts with warm, humid conditions from Missouri to Ohio. Isolated large hail was reported overnight as far [Read More…]
A seasonally active pattern continues for many; cooler days ahead for much of the Heartland
Looking ahead, the 6- to 10-day outlook for calls for the likelihood of near- or above-normal temperatures, except for cooler-than-normal conditions in southern and coastal Texas, as well as the nation’s northern tier from northern [Read More…]
Soybean prices jump on Prospective Plantings Report
An agricultural economist with the University of Illinois says the USDA’s Prospective Plantings Report shows more farmers plan to plant soybeans this year. However, Joe Janzen says the shift in acres fell below pre-report estimates. [Read More…]