Ag News

Soybeans lower, corn mixed following Liberation Day
Soybean futures closed lower, and corn was mixed a day after President Trump announced tariffs on dozens of U.S. trading partners. Farm management analyst Kent Thiesse with Green Solutions Group says the market is most [Read More…]

Mixed response to tariff news
Soybeans ended the day lower amid tariff concerns. May contracts were down 18 cents at $10.11 and 1/2. China is the top purchaser of soybeans in the world, and the 34 percent tariff on the [Read More…]

NAWG’s Life Cycle Assessment showing advancements in sustainability
The National Association of Wheat Growers says advancements in wheat production sustainability is helping meet growing demand. CEO of NAWG Chandler Goule says the recently released Life Cycle Assessment shows advancements in climate smart practices. “Through [Read More…]

“Toe at starting line” for Iowa farmer ready to begin spring fieldwork
Activity is picking up on many farms across the Midwest. Stu Swanson grows corn, soybeans, and finishes feeder pigs in north-central Iowa. “We’re putting our toe at the starting line, of course. It’s been a [Read More…]

Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: April 3, 2025
May corn closed at $4.57 and 1/2, 1/4 centsMay soybeans closed at $10.11 and 1/2, down 18 centsMay soybean meal closed at $287.20, up 80 centsMay soybean oil closed at 47.06, up 144 pointsMay wheat [Read More…]

Spring rains can help alleviate dry conditions
Missouri Ag Director Chris Chinn says the recent rains are welcome and more is needed across a mostly dry state. “We are hopeful we’ll get more nice, gentle spring rains that will help pastures grow [Read More…]

Livestock economist says he continues to monitor beef cow slaughter
A livestock economist says beef cow slaughter will be an area to watch in 2025. Kenny Burdine, with the University of Kentucky says, “We are not culling this cow herd as hard as we have [Read More…]

Farmer concerns shifting to trade policy
Producers are expressing more concern about the current trade environment in the latest Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer. Professor emeritus Jim Mintert tells Brownfield, “People were much more worried about interest rate policy than trade policy, in fact that [Read More…]

Grain market response to tariffs “not horrible”
Market analyst DuWayne Bosse tells Brownfield the grain markets would likely be lower if additional reciprocal tariffs on Mexico were announced. “If we had additional tariffs on our top buyer of U.S. corn, I think [Read More…]

Spring covers gaining popularity
A specialist with Precision Conservation Management (PCM) says many farmers are seeing success with spring planted cover crops. Jacob Gard works closely with farmers in Illinois and Indiana on their conservation goals. “It’s definitely a [Read More…]

Crop Nutrition Management for Long-Term Success
When profit margins are small, it can be tempting to cut costs and choose a cheaper product. However, on this episode of Managing for Profit, AgroLiquid’s Galynn Beer encourages farmers to take the time to [Read More…]

Weekly ethanol production increases, exports drop more than 62%
U.S. ethanol production increased over the past week. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says production was up 0.9% to 1.06 million barrels per day. The four-week average ethanol production rate declined 0.7% to 1.07 million [Read More…]

New U.S. retaliatory tariffs will impact ag
U.S. President Donald Trump says “kind, not full” retaliatory tariffs went into effect midnight for more than 50 trading partners, including China. “We’re going to be charging a discounted reciprocal tariff of 34 percent. In [Read More…]

Montgomery wins 2025 International CCA of the Year
A central Illinois-based agronomist with Beck’s Hybrids has been named the 2025 International Certified Crop Adviser of the Year. “Really, really blown away. A little humbled in some ways to be standing with a crowd [Read More…]

Soybeans lower, corn and wheat finish the day mixed
Soybeans ended the day lower. May soybeans were down 4 and 3/4 cents at $10.29 and 1/2. The market spent much of the day under pressure ahead of the Trump administration’s tariff announcements. The USDA [Read More…]

RFA hopeful tariffs won’t stunt ethanol export momentum
The Renewable Fuels Association wants to ensure tariffs don’t stunt U.S. ethanol export momentum. RFA CEO Geoff Cooper tells Brownfield there’s been dramatic growth the past decade. “In fact, 2024 was a record year by [Read More…]

Water protections one step closer for Indiana farmers
The bill tackling water rights in Indiana has taken the next steps of advancing in the General Assembly. Associate director of policy engagement for Indiana Farm Bureau Caitlin Smith says the Indiana House unanimously passed Senate Bill [Read More…]

Cattle futures higher waiting on direct business to develop
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were up ahead of the week’s direct business. June live cattle closed $1.97 higher at $207.40 and August live cattle closed $1.60 higher at $203.92. May [Read More…]

Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: April 2, 2025
May corn closed at $4.57 and 3/4, down 4 centsMay soybeans closed at $10.29 and 1/2, down 4 and 3/4 centsMay soybean meal closed at $287.20, down $5.10May soybean oil closed at 48.50, up 106 [Read More…]

Indiana property taxes are a two-fold issue
An Indiana State Senator says the current property tax relief bill could provide much-needed assistance to the state’s farmers. Southern Indiana farmer Daryl Schmitt says rising tax rates have put financial strain on landowners. “The [Read More…]