A southwestern Illinois farmer says this year’s wheat crop exceeded expectations. John Howell, who farms in Randolph and Monroe Counties and serves as president of the Illinois Wheat Association, says yields were excellent. “We were pleasantly surprised at the quality of our wheat, especially for the amount of adversity it went through.” He says, “Everything…… Continue Reading
Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: August 5, 2025
Sep. corn closed at $3.81 and 1/2, down 5 and 1/2 centsSep. soybeans closed at $9.71 and 1/2, down 3 and 3/4 centsSep. soybean meal closed at $277.00, unchangedSep. soybean oil closed at 53.77, down 63 pointsSep. wheat closed at $5.08 and 1/4, down 8 and 1/2 centsOct. live cattle closed at $227.10, up $3.00Sep.…… Continue Reading
Soybean defoliation guidance tweaked for applicators
The North Central Soybean Research Program is making the first update to soybean defoliation guidance for the first time since the 1980s. Michigan State University entomologist Chis Difonzo tells Brownfield intensive on-farm defoliation threshold surveys were conducted over three years across the 13-state region. “And we never saw a field that would have been over…… Continue Reading
Watching for disease pressure
A southwestern Ohio farmer says a wet summer has created ideal conditions for disease development. Eric Tipton tells Brownfield he remains concerned about tar spot. “The results from tar spot getting away from us and what it can do to a crop in a very short period of time, I would say that’s our number one concern,”…… Continue Reading
Farmer sentiment declines, but farmers remain optimistic about the future
A survey of 400 farmers and ranchers from across the country shows rising concern about the current state of the ag economy. Ag economist Jim Mintert says the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer has declined in recent months. “When we asked producers about what their expectations are going forward over a longer time period,…… Continue Reading
Corn hits lows, soybeans, wheat also down
Soybeans were lower on fund and technical selling, unable to follow through on the higher start to the session. The USDA’s national crop rating dipped slightly but remains at a high level for this time of year. While near-term weather forecasts are favorable, there are questions about longer-term outlooks. As has been the conversation in…… Continue Reading
H-2A moves toward more electronic processing
An ag labor attorney says the U.S. Department of Labor finally transitioning to collect H-2A certification fees electronically is a sign of how challenging the process has been. “It is archaic in that you write out a check and you send it in to the Department of Labor.” Kim Clark with Varnum Law tells Brownfield,…… Continue Reading
June ethanol export numbers up sharply on year
The U.S. ethanol export numbers for June were mixed. The Renewable Fuels Association says ethanol exports of 173.7 million gallons were down 6% on the month due to volatility in key markets. Ethanol exports were still up 30% on the year, with Canada taking in a six-month high, followed by the European Union, South Korea,…… Continue Reading
U.S. wheat trade steady; looking to expand
The director of global outreach with U.S. Wheat Associates says the creation of the Agricultural Trade Promotion and Facilitation Program in the recent reconciliation package appears to be a win for wheat farmers. Ralph Loos says it’s a big boost to expanding global markets. “It has been several years since that funding had been opened…… Continue Reading
Farmer says MAHA Commission should consider nutrition, crop protection tool access
A Nebraska farmer says the Make America Healthy Again Commission needs to balance promoting health and maintaining access to crop protection tools. Randy Uhrmacher says he agrees with findings in the first MAHA report that focus on childhood nutrition. “There’s a lot of stuff that food companies have put in our food that isn’t good for…… Continue Reading
