The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago says agricultural land values for the third quarter of 2025 are 3% higher than a year ago. The 7th District issued a report Thursday saying values are up from a year ago, but unchanged from the 2nd quarter of this year. More than 100 agricultural bankers were surveyed in…… Continue Reading
USDA restores full SNAP benefits after shutdown
Now that the USDA is fully funded for the new fiscal year, nutrition program benefits will resume. Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe says providing full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits remains a top priority. “Earlier this week, a partial SNAP payments start coming forward, so I know USDA will work very hard to make sure that…… Continue Reading
Contested races set for Illinois Farm Bureau president and vice president
Members of the Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB) will see a contested race for the organization’s top two spots at their annual meeting in December. Current IFB President and Ogle County farmer Brian Duncan faces opposition from LaSalle County farmer Phillip Nelson. Duncan tells Brownfield, “I hope the organization wants to continue to move forward and…… Continue Reading
Cattle futures and lean hogs closed lower
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle futures were sharply lower on the midday decline in boxed beef and technical liquidation, along with the light direct business during the session. December live was down $6.27 at $219.00 and February was $6.02 lower at $218.95. January feeders were $9.02 lower at $318.45 and March…… Continue Reading
Minnesota dairy considers big investment in modern milking technology
A Minnesota dairy is considering a major upgrade in the next year. Rita Vander Kooi and her family milk 2,500 cows near Worthington. “We are actively pricing out a new parlor, and perhaps with that a new barn.” She says the current parlor is nearly 25 years old. “It is a 24 hour a day…… Continue Reading
Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: November 13, 2025
Dec. corn $4.41 and 1/2, up 6 and 1/4 centsJan. soybeans $11.47, up 13 and 1/4 centsDec. soybean meal $328.40, up $7.40Dec. soybean oil 50.25, down 37 pointsDec. Chicago wheat $5.35 and 3/4, down 1/4 centDec. live cattle $219.00, down $6.27Jan. feeder cattle $318.45, down $9.02Dec. lean hogs $78.07, down $2.55Dec. Class III milk closed…… Continue Reading
Soybeans and corn up, wheat mixed ahead of USDA, CONAB reports
Soybeans were higher on short covering and technical buying. The trade continued to get ready for Friday’s numbers from the USDA and CONAB. The USDA is expected to lower U.S. yield and production numbers at least somewhat, while CONAB will likely project a record soybean crop for Brazil. The USDA has reopened and will be…… Continue Reading
USMCA review seen as key opportunity to strengthen North American trade
Some experts says the upcoming review of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement is an opportunity to strengthen the agreement. Ted McKinney, CEO of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, and former under secretary of agriculture for trade and foreign agricultural affairs, says the USMCA is the best free trade agreement in the world. “Bar none,”…… Continue Reading
Bovine TB detected in Michigan
A second case of bovine tuberculosis has been confirmed in a northern Michigan beef herd this year. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development says the disease was detected as part of routine annual testing in Presque Isle County, which is north of Michigan’s Modified Accredited Zone (MAZ). It’s the 84th Michigan herd to become infected since…… Continue Reading
U.S. ethanol production pulls back from record levels as margins narrow
U.S. ethanol production backed off from the prior week’s all-time high. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says production averaged 1.075 million barrels per day, a decline of 48,000 on the week and 38,000 on the year. Iowa State University’s Center for Agricultural and Rural Development says the estimated operating margin for the average Iowa plant…… Continue Reading
