Ag News

Commodity prices have been very low, and for some producers, lower than the cost of production.  So far this year, export sales have been the bright spot… but even exports took a hit last week.  [Read More…]

The cattle industry continues to look for signs of herd expansion.  But will this week’s reports from the USDA provide any answers? University of Kentucky livestock economist Kenny Burdine says this month’s Cattle on Feed [Read More…]

A southwest Minnesota farmer says his crops are bouncing back after several shots from the weather. Bob Worth grows corn and soybeans in Lincoln County and tells Brownfield planting finished in record time this spring. [Read More…]

A soybean trader says proposed biofuel blending requirements form the U.S. EPA should support growth in the industry. Travis Steyer with Bartlett says the renewable volume obligations (RVO’s) will likely create more demand.  “The biofuel [Read More…]

A forage specialist says warm and wet weather is having a mixed impact on alfalfa. Jeff Jackson with CROPLAN tells Brownfield many growers across the Midwest are beginning a third cutting. “The moisture we’ve had [Read More…]

The Commissioner of Agriculture for Minnesota is concerned U.S. farmers could be harmed by trade tensions with Canada. Thom Petersen tells Brownfield corn exports to Canada have been strong. “They kind of like our corn [Read More…]

USDA says U.S. corn exports have continued at a blistering pace, yet China is not major buyer. Bryan Doherty with Total Farm Marketing tells Brownfield U.S. corn is going to many different countries. “China hasn’t [Read More…]

An ag real estate specialist says there’s a tremendous amount of uncertainty that could impact farmland values. Paul Schadegg with Farmers National Company tells Brownfield on and off again tariffs, ag policy questions, and global [Read More…]

Sep. corn closed at $4.08 and 1/2, up 6 and 1/2 centsAug. soybeans closed at $10.27 and 3/4, up 6 and 1/4 centsAug. soybean meal closed at $274.00, up $5.30Aug. soybean oil closed at 55.82, [Read More…]

At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle futures were lower, waiting for the rest of the week’s direct business after light trade Thursday. Also, boxed beef is showing signs of softening, when compared [Read More…]

Soybeans were higher on short covering and technical buying, adding to the weekly gains. Forecasts have hot, dry weather on tap for some key growing areas. It remains to be seen how long the pattern [Read More…]

The government affairs advocate for Beck’s Hybrids says research funding in the U.S. House Appropriations Bill could help farmers combat mycotoxins. Kala Jenkins says this is the first year Congress is considering funding specifically for [Read More…]

U.S. sorghum is in the crosshairs as China responds to tariff threats by the Trump administration. U.S. Grains Council CEO Ryan LeGrand says Chinese buyers are looking elsewhere. “China imported about 70 percent of the [Read More…]

An extension agronomist says there are some pollination concerns across parts of the Corn Belt. Meaghan Anderson with Iowa State University says several Midwestern states have some reported cases of what she calls “tassel wrapping” [Read More…]

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says it will not allow additional specialty sugar imports into the U.S. during the next fiscal year. The Foreign Agricultural Service this week announced the annual tariff-rate quotas—or TRQs—for imports [Read More…]

An ag economist says the farm equipment market is struggling. Ernie Goss with Creighton University says the latest Rural Mainstreet Index revealed higher input costs, tight credit conditions, and low farm commodity prices are having [Read More…]

An ag economist at Purdue University says export demand could help stabilize the market for farmers continuing to face economic uncertainty. Michael Langemeier says corn exports remain strong.  “Part of that’s due to low corn [Read More…]

The new executive director of the Indiana Barn Foundation says she hopes to expand the organization’s mission and membership. Christine Page says the nonprofit helps preserve historical barns across the state. “It reflects our history,” [Read More…]

A U.S. House Agriculture committee member says passing the bipartisan CLARITY Act gives her hope for future legislative work in Congress. Michigan Democrat Kristin McDonald Rivet tells Brownfield, “It was nice to have one of [Read More…]

Bipartisan legislation that’s recently been introduced into the U.S. House would address concerns about foreign farmland ownership. Nebraska Congressman Don Bacon says it amends the Agriculture Foreign Investment Disclosure Act (AFIDA) to allow the federal [Read More…]