Ag News
New Pork Board President shares “We Care” successes
The new president of the National Pork Board says hog farmers will continue adhering to “We Care” principles and showing how they are having an impact. South Dakota pork producer Steven Rommereim has been elected [Read More…]
Soybeans, corn down, watching U.S. weather
Soybeans were lower on fund and technical selling, with July closing just above last month’s lows. The trade continues to monitor any movement in trade discussions between the U.S. and China. Many forecasts have light [Read More…]
Senate farm bill expected Thursday
Minnesota Senator and Ag Committee member Amy Klobuchar tells Brownfield introduction of the Senate farm bill is expected Thursday. “Bi-partisan agreement, how sweet those words are given what happened in the House, that would maintain [Read More…]
CME dairy markets end four-day slide
After four straight days of diving dairy prices, the markets took a slight turn higher at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Wednesday. Class Three June milk was up $.05 to $15.31. July was up $.16 to [Read More…]
Ethanol production holds, stocks higher
U.S. ethanol production held steady last week. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says production averaged 1.041 million barrels a day, unchanged from the previous week and up 42,000 from a year ago. The industry continues [Read More…]
Pig farmers getting beat up on trade
The president of the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) says pig farmers are getting beat up as the Trump Administration ushers in a new trade environment. Ohio hog farmer Jim Heimerl says he considered using [Read More…]
Pig farmers a casualty of trade disputes
The president of the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) says pig farmers are getting beat up as the Trump Administration ushers in a new trade environment. Ohio hog farmer Jim Heimerl says he considered using [Read More…]
Warm weather favors crop growth, development
Across the Corn Belt, cool weather covers the Great Lakes region. Meanwhile, a cold front crossing the upper Midwest is producing locally heavy showers and thunderstorms. On June 3, soybean emergence ranged from 26 to [Read More…]
Heat on the Plains; scattered storms across the Heartland
Hot weather across the nation’s mid-section will continue to expand and intensify across the western and central U.S. During the next few days, temperatures will routinely exceed 100° across the southern half of the [Read More…]
An opportune time to sell farmland
Farmers National Company is reporting an uptick in landowners considering selling, and part of that is seasonal. But as we hear from a sales manager for Farmers National, there are a number of other factors [Read More…]
Wisconsin Governor Walker orders dairy task force
Wisconsin’s Governor Scott Walker directed State Ag Secretary Sheila Harsdorf and University of Wisconsin System President Ray Cross to create Dairy Task Force 2.0 to come up with recommendations to maintain a viable and profitable [Read More…]
Grassley & Ernst: President Trump rejects Ethanol blending deal
Both of Iowa’s U.S. Senators are applauding President Donald Trump’s apparent rejection of proposed changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard. Both Chuck Grassley and Joni Earnst posted Twitter messages Tuesday evening expressing their pleasure with [Read More…]
Northey: MPP enrollment tops 20 thousand & checks are processing now
USDA Undersecretary Bill Northey says the Dairy Margin Protection Program has generated thousands of new participants. “We had over twenty-thousand producers that had signed up for the Margin Protection Program, which is about five-thousand of [Read More…]
Mexican tariffs pressure lean hog futures
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, cattle futures rebounded on short covering in light activity. Surging live cattle futures also drug feeder contracts higher. June live cattle closed $2.47 higher at $107.20 and August contracts closed [Read More…]
Volatility tied to trade creates marketing challenges for pig farmers
A southern Minnesota pig farmer calls this an extremely difficult time for pork producers like her. Wanda Patsche with C-W Pork in Welcome says recent volatility tied to trade disputes creates marketing challenges. “We’re probably [Read More…]
International group tours IL pork operations ahead of WPX
A group of 40 international pork producers is touring segments of the Illinois pork supply chain with hopes of sparking ideas to improve their home operations. Bobby Dowson with the Illinois Department of Agriculture says [Read More…]
CME cash dairy lower, milk futures sharply lower Tuesday
Cash dairy markets were lower and milk futures sharply lower as prices fell for a fourth straight trading session at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Tuesday. Class Three June milk was down $.12 to $15.26. July [Read More…]
Corn, wheat buy back part of losses
Soybeans were mixed, with nearby contracts steady to weak and deferred months firm, adjusting old crop/new crop spreads. Planting and emergence are ahead of average, with 75% of the crop in good to excellent condition, [Read More…]
Weather extremes even out 1st crop alfalfa
An extension crops educator says back-to-back months of weather extremes have resulted in an alfalfa crop that’s right on schedule. Randy Pepin with the University of Minnesota tells Brownfield had a “normal” May followed a [Read More…]
Pork producers could be in a world of hurt
Mexico has announced an immediate 10 percent tariff on unprocessed pork in retaliation to the Trump administration’s steel and aluminum tariffs. “This is, I would say, the most significant blow so far.” Joe Schuele with [Read More…]