Ag News
COVID-19 is not a food safety issue
The CDC says COVID-19 is not a food safety issue. But, as always, people should continue to practice good food safety measures including washing hands with soap and water for 20 seconds before, during, and [Read More…]
Producers could be hurt by potential postponements of farmers markets
COVID-19 has created unprecedented disruptions to local production cycles and could lead to the postponement or cancellation of farmers markets. Amanda Deering is a clinical assistant professor at Purdue University. “I think this is going [Read More…]
Does the corn market have a floor?
Ag commodities have followed equity markets down in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. For corn, University of Illinois ag economist Todd Hubbs says he has no idea where the bottom might be. “It’s down there. [Read More…]
Soybeans, wheat mixed as corn moves to new lows
Soybeans were mixed on spread adjustments. Contracts remain oversold, with the most active months up modestly, even with the demand concerns linked to the COVID-19 spread. There was also support from dry weather in parts [Read More…]
Cattle, hog futures stumble into back half of the week
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live cattle ended the day sharply lower on profit-taking and broader market pressure. Feeder cattle were sharply lower again today on the same factors as the live pit. Losses were [Read More…]
NCBA discusses producer frustration with market movements
The wide disparity between boxed beef prices and cattle prices continues to frustrate cattle producers. Ethan Lane with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association says they’re well aware of those concerns. “That’s something that we’re continuing [Read More…]
Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: March 18, 2020
May corn closed at $3.35 and 1/4, down 8 and 3/4 centsMay soybeans closed at $8.25 and 1/2, up 1 and 1/4 centsMay soybean meal closed at $304.00, up $5.70May soybean oil closed at 25.04, [Read More…]
MN Ag Department doing what it can to protect food supply
Minnesota’s Ag Commissioner says during the coronavirus outbreak, the Department is doing everything it can to assure a safe, affordable, and accessible food supply. Thom Petersen tells Brownfield he continues to communicate with a broad [Read More…]
AFBF calls for ag labor certainty
A leader with American Farm Bureau says AFBF is pleased that the US government will prioritize H-2A workers who are eligible for an interview waiver in light of the announcement that visa application processing in [Read More…]
Ethanol production down as supply rises
U.S. ethanol production declined slightly last week. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says production averaged 1.035 million barrels a day, 9,000 less than the previous week, but that could fall further as some producers cut [Read More…]
Perdue says US food supply chain remains strong during COVID-19 pandemic
Image from USDA Ag secretary Sonny Perdue says workers throughout the food supply chain have risen to the challenge of keeping America fed during the coronavirus outbreak. In a video message Tuesday, Perdue gave a [Read More…]
First settlement payments from Syngenta lawsuit are being mailed
The first settlement payments to farmers in the Syngenta corn class action lawsuit will start going out later this week, according to a news release from the Kansas City law firm representing farmers in the [Read More…]
Big yields and a 2020 brand outlook
Despite the weather challenges in 2019, farmers across the Corn Belt saw some big yields. And there are a lot of opportunities for more in 2020. In this Managing for Profit, we’ll hear from one [Read More…]
Young farmer discusses challenges
There are several issues that are top of mind for young farmers. Abram Klopfenstein, a fourth-generation farmer, raises corn, soybeans, wheat, and hogs in Paulding County, Ohio. “As a young farmer, a lot of the [Read More…]
Agronomy manager offers advice for growers facing a wet, warm spring
AgriGold Agronomy Manager Mike Kavanaugh says many Midwestern farmers should plan for a wet and warm spring. “We are telling growers to get their planters ready to go immediately all through the Midwest,” he says. [Read More…]
Missouri Supreme Court refuses to hear Grain Belt Express case
The Missouri Supreme Court has refused to hear the case involving the Grain Belt Express power transmission line. Missouri Farm Bureau President Blake Hurst says the Supreme Court is wrong to not hear the case. [Read More…]
Economist says retail prices up with COVID-19, but farmers aren’t benefiting
A Farm Bureau economist says none of the commodities are doing very well in the markets during the unusual consumer buying caused by coronavirus concerns. John Newton tells Brownfield, “May Class Three milk is down [Read More…]
Farmers see encouraging signs of an early spring
The disappearance of snow is giving farmers in Minnesota hope that fieldwork can begin soon. But University of Minnesota Extension crops educator Dave Nicolai says there’s still plenty of frost in the ground. “Recently at [Read More…]
Cattle, hog futures higher on oversold signals
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live cattle futures ended the day sharply higher on oversold signals with support from the sharply higher wholesale values. Feeder cattle were higher on the same factors with additional support [Read More…]
Milk futures lower Tuesday, cash dairy steady to lower
April Class III milk futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange down a penny at $15.99. May down 12 cents at $15.47. June through August contracts 20 to 23 cents lower. Dry whey unchanged at $0.3250. [Read More…]