Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins says the USDA’s Farm Service Agency will resume core operations on Thursday, including farm loan processing, farm program payments and other programs. Dusty Johnson, a U.S. Congressman from South Dakota, tells Brownfield local FSA offices should be open a few days during the week, and it’s helpful to have employees available…… Continue Reading
Analysts watch closely as Trump hesitates on U.S.-China trade meeting
President Trump continues to go back-and-forth on whether the U.S. and China will meet to discuss trade in the next 10 days. “We’re going to have a fair deal and I think we’re going to have a very successful meeting. Certainly, there are a lot of people that are waiting for it,” he says. “Maybe…… Continue Reading
U.S. Senate Ag Committee advances grain standards and land bills
The U.S. Senate Ag Committee unanimously passed several bills out of committee on Tuesday. That includes the U.S. Grain Standards Reauthorization Act of 2025, which modernizes grain grading technology, improves existing laws and allows the ag secretary to permit domestic grain inspection at export ports. A bipartisan amendment was made to the bill removing a…… Continue Reading
Cattle and hog futures higher heading into midweek
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were up, supported by near-term tightness. December live cattle closed $1.77 higher at $245.42 and February live cattle closed $1.75 higher at $246.27. November feeder cattle closed $.80 higher at $373.47 and January feeder cattle closed $1.10 higher at $370.27. Direct cash cattle trade activity…… Continue Reading
Soybean, corn slip on harvest pressure, profit taking
Soybeans were lower on profit taking and technical selling. The U.S. soybean harvest should be approaching 75% finished and South American planting weather, for the most part, looks good. Stateside, we can only guess at just how much of the crop has been harvested due to the ongoing partial shutdown of the federal government, but…… Continue Reading
Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: October 21, 2025
Dec. corn $4.19 and 3/4, down 3 and 1/2 centsNov. soybeans $10.30 and 3/4, down 1 centDec. soybean meal $286.90, up $1.90Dec. soybean oil 50.65, down 66 pointsDec. Chicago wheat $5.00 and 1/4, down 4 and 1/2 centsDec. live cattle $245.42, up $1.77Nov. feeder cattle $373.47, up 80 centsDec. lean hogs $83.27, up $1.20Nov. Class…… Continue Reading
High oleic soybean oil steals the show during 2025 World Food Championships
High oleic soybean oil has been showcased during this year’s World Food Championships in Indianapolis. For the second year in a row, the Indiana Soybean Checkoff has provided high oleic soybean oil for the competition. Hendricks county farmer David Hardin says featuring the oil can help boost demand. “Indiana produces a lot of high oleic soybean oil, which…… Continue Reading
Trump’s Argentine beef plan draws fire from U.S. cattle producers
The executive director of the Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association says there are concerns about President Trump’s proposal to import beef from Argentina. Kaitlyn Root tells Brownfield the federal government should not be trying to influence beef prices. “And they should instead let the free market work.” She says Argentina has a deeply unbalanced trading relationship…… Continue Reading
No-till and strip-till incentives coming to Illinois farmers this fall
The bureau chief for land and water resources with the Illinois Department of Agriculture says $67 million in funding will soon be available for farmers and landowners who will implement no-till or strip-till practices starting this fall. Michelle Curby tells Brownfield the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Program is a joint venture with the Illinois EPA.…… Continue Reading
Farmland value crash not likely with outside investors, cash rents stable
An ag economist says cash rental rates are not keeping pace with rising farmland values. Tor Tolhurst with Michigan State University tells Brownfield farmland remains an attractive place to store assets for outside investors. “We expect over the long-term that as long as the broader economy stays strong, that that demand will continue, and it will…… Continue Reading
