R-CALF, Farmers Union urge cattle producers to file claims

Cattle producers affected by the alleged anticompetitive practices from JBS, Tyson, Cargill, and National Beef are urged to file a claim. Bill Bullard with R-CALF USA tells Brownfield litigation continues against three of the big four packers, but JBS has agreed to an 83.5 million dollar settlement. “We’ve been litigating for six years with the…Continue Reading

Reconciliation bill one step from House Floor

The reconciliation package is one step away from a vote on the House Floor. Compeer Financial vice president of legislative affairs Perry Aasness says the budget bill is currently being reviewed by the House Rules Committee. “Speaker Johnson has been pretty consistent to this point, he wants to get a bill passed off the House…Continue Reading

Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: May 21, 2025

Jul. corn closed at $4.61, up 6 and 1/2 centsJul. soybeans closed at $10.62 and 3/4, up 9 and 3/4 centsJul. soybean meal closed at $294.10, up $1.50Jul. soybean oil closed at 49.83, up 33 pointsJul. wheat closed at $5.49 and 1/4, up 3 and 1/4 centsJun. live cattle closed at $214.15, up 97 centsAug.…Continue Reading

Soybeans, corn, wheat hold upward trend

Soybeans were higher on short covering and technical buying. The trade’s monitoring chances for more near-term U.S. planting delays. Still, that should be beneficial long-term, especially in areas that haven’t been hit hard by severe weather and flooding. Soybeans, and commodities in general, continue to wait for more clarity on the tariff situation. Portions of…Continue Reading

USDA Under Secretary nominees commit to doing more with less

The Trump administration’s nominees for two key Under Secretary positions pledged to uphold USDA services with reduced resources during Wednesday’s confirmation hearing. Senate Ag Committee Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar raised concerns about workforce reductions with Under Secretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Regulatory Programs nominee Dudley Hoskins.   “The National Animal Health Lab Network Office has…Continue Reading

Broiler placements down on week, up on year

USDA broiler hatchery data continues to imply higher production this year than last year. The USDA says 251.544 million broiler-type eggs were set into incubation last week, rising 1.083 million from the previous week and 1% from a year ago, with average hatchability improving slightly to 79.2%. 193.276 million broiler-type chicks were placed into meat…Continue Reading

Eastern Nebraska farmers get rain, finally

Widespread rainfall this week has brought much-needed relief to on-going drought conditions for some farmers in eastern Nebraska. Lukas Fricke of Ulysses, 90 minutes west of Omaha, says he received more than an inch of rain. “I cannot even describe it. It is so significantly dry. We’ve had to move a ton of soil to…Continue Reading

Rains welcomed

A north central Illinois farmer says the recent rains are welcomed. David Mool, who raises corn, soybeans, and cattle in northern McLean County, says the dry fall has continued into a relatively dry spring in his area. “Or wet periods have been few and far between or have been fairly variable.”  He says, “Yeah, we…Continue Reading

Beck’s Hybrids cuts ribbon on new Nebraska research facility

Beck’s Hybrids is expanding its genetic research and corn breeding programs in the Western Corn Belt. President Scott Beck tells Brownfield a new 400-acre facility near Seward in Eastern Nebraska will help develop crops that are tolerant to the region’s climate. “This breeding station will help us identify products that can handle heat, drought, wind…Continue Reading

John Deere to invest $20 billion in U.S. over next decade

John Deere plans to invest $20 billion in the U.S. over the next decade. Chief Financial Officer Josh Jepsen tells Brownfield the announcement reiterates the company’s commitment to U.S. manufacturing. “Our roots are in manufacturing here in the U.S. we’re 188 years old. And the vast majority of that in the Midwest, really in Iowa…Continue Reading

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