An ag finance specialist recommends a comprehensive plan as farmers aspire to be profitable in 2026. “Blending an agronomic plan with an economic plan.” John Maman with Nutrien Ag Solutions says on the financial side, interest rates can be an important variable. “Look for any hidden gotchas in those rates. There’s one thing to have…… Continue Reading
A lower finish for soybeans, corn and wheat were mixed
Soybeans ended the day modestly lower on technical selling with the January contract down 4 and 1/2 cents to $10.58 and 3/4. Soybeans started the day higher, but couldn’t hold on as contracts were pressured by the lower moves in bean and crude oil. There hasn’t been any new export sales reported since early in…… Continue Reading
Cattle futures higher to finish the week
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were higher, supported by tight supplies. February live cattle closed $1.10 higher at $229.65 and April live cattle closed $.97 higher at $229.70. January feeder cattle closed $1.45 higher at $346.17 and March feeder cattle closed $1.62 higher at $340.42. It was a quiet Friday for…… Continue Reading
Gratiot County farmer reflects on severe drought conditions in mid-Michigan
A mid-Michigan farmer says this fall was the driest in more than a decade in his area. Gratiot County’s John Peck tells Brownfield rain in the middle of harvest didn’t present a challenge. “We had 2 1/2 inches of rain, and the tile never ran,” he shares. Despite the limited rainfall, he says the corn…… Continue Reading
Cash dairy prices steady Friday at the CME
*This updates a previous report from earlier. Cash dairy prices were mostly unchanged in light trading Friday at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Dry whey was up $0.0050 at $0.73. One sale was recorded At that price. Forty-pound cheese blocks were unchanged at $1.3350. No sales were recorded. Cheese barrels remained unchanged at $1.40. No sales were recorded. Butter prices were unchanged at $1.4025. Three sales were recorded, ranging from $.1.3975 to $1.40. Nonfat dry milk was unchanged at $1.18. No sales were recorded. The post Cash dairy prices steady Friday at the CME appeared first…… Continue Reading
Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: December 26, 2025
Mar. corn $4.50, down 1 centJan. soybeans $10.58 and 3/4, down 4 and 1/2 centsJan. soybean meal $303.70, down $1.00Jan soybean oil 48.72, down 31 pointsMar. Chicago wheat $5.19, down 2 and 3/4 centsFeb. live cattle $229.65, up $1.10Jan. feeder cattle $346.17, up $1.45Feb. lean hogs $84.52, down 52 centsJan. Class III milk closed at…… Continue Reading
No CME cash dairy trading Friday
The Chicago Mercantile Exchange had limited trading activity Friday following the Christmas holiday, and cash dairy trading isn’t scheduled to resume until after 5:00 pm Friday. Prices were mostly higher Wednesday heading into the Christmas holiday. Dry whey was up $0.01 at $0.7250. No sales were recorded. Forty-pound cheese blocks were up $0.0025 at $1.3350. Eight sales were recorded, ranging from $1.3250 to $1.3350. Cheese barrels were unchanged at $1.40. No sales were recorded. Butter prices were up $0.0025 at $1.4025. Two sales were recorded at $.40 and $1.4025. …… Continue Reading
Mellenthin elected to USB Executive Committee
A Wisconsin farmer is now part of the United Soybean Board Executive Committee. Tony Mellenthin, wife Katie, and their family farm near Eau Galle. As a member of the executive committee, Mellenthin will help guide soy checkoff investments in food, feed, fuel, industrial uses, exports and sustainable production. He says, “With this honor comes both…… Continue Reading
MDARD Director highlights efforts to improve food access and supply chain reliability
The director of Michigan’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development says investing in projects that provide solutions to food supply chain gaps has been a priority in 2025. Tim Boring tells Brownfield the new Farm to Family Grant Program is helping to improve the reliability of the state’s food system. “It’s certainly for the betterment…… Continue Reading
Sorghum clinical trial targets blood sugar, inflammation, and gut health
Researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln recently launched the first human clinical trial to examine how sorghum could improve a person’s health. Norma Ritz-Johnson, executive director of the United Sorghum Checkoff Program, says the study is targeting health challenges. “Those include things like insulin resistance. Inflammation, which has an effect on heart disease and all…… Continue Reading
