The USDA says New World screwworm has been confirmed within 70 miles of the U.S. border. In a release late Sunday evening, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins says Mexico’s government has detected the pest in the state of Nuevo Leon. This is now the northernmost detection of NWS during this outbreak. In a post on X,…… Continue Reading
States brace for surge in ‘Make America Healthy Again’ legislation
The chief executive officer of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture says states are preparing to see an uptick in Make America Healthy Again legislation in the next year. Ted McKinney tells Brownfield “some states have already opened the time when legislators can file early bills, anticipating an early January legislative period. There…… Continue Reading
Federal Reserve cuts interest rates for first time since December, signaling more in 2026
The Federal Reserve cut interest rates on Wednesday amid continued uncertainty in the rural economy. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says it was the first benchmark rate cut since December. “That brings down short-term interest rates, but long-term interest rates moved up. Not much, but a little bit.” He tells Brownfield the Fed signaled that…… Continue Reading
USDA official: tariff revenue could fund emergency aid for struggling U.S. farmers
The deputy secretary at the USDA says tariff revenue could be a way to help U.S. farmers survive a tough ag economy. Stephen Vaden says using Section 32 funds for ad-hoc payments would require an act of Congress. For more than a decade, annual appropriations hasn’t allowed Section 32 funds to be used for emergency…… Continue Reading
Grain markets slide on technical selling, weak china demand, and harvest pressure
Soybeans were lower on fund and technical selling, adding to what would have already been a lower weekly finish. Soybeans were watching the U.S. harvest and planting weather in South America. U.S. harvest conditions are mostly favorable, but some areas could see rain delays in the coming days, while harvest is just getting started in…… Continue Reading
Lack of China ag buys worries U.S. crop farmers
The vice president of the National Farmers Union says U.S. crop farmers are concerned about the lack of China’s ag purchases. Jeff Kippley raises corn and soybeans in northeast South Dakota. “Here in the Dakotas, we export virtually all of our soybeans to the Pacific Northwest. That ends up going to China. Without China purchasing…… Continue Reading
Cattle futures higher, lean hogs mixed
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle futures were solidly higher, expecting a bullish set of USDA Cattle on Feed numbers, which were out after the close. That helped contracts shrug off potential pressure from the week’s generally bearish cash and wholesale business. Those on feed numbers were close to expectations, with the…… Continue Reading
Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: September 19, 2025
Dec. corn $4.24, up 1/4 centNov. soybeans $10.25 and 1/2, down 12 centsOct. soybean meal $282.90, down 10 centsOct. soybean oil 50.03, down 54 pointsDec. Chicago wheat $5.22 and 1/2, down 1 and 3/4 centsOct. live cattle $233.57, up $1.20Oct. feeder cattle $354.10, up $2.37Oct. lean hogs $97.97, up 50 centsOct. Class III milk closed…… Continue Reading
Soybean sales stagnate: farmers brace for piled corn, packed bins
An American Soybean Association board director is concerned about the current landscape for U.S. ag exports. Jamie Beyer, who farms in west-central Minnesota, tells Brownfield China’s lack of new-crop soybean purchases is weakening basis levels in the region. “The elevators around here, we’re not hearing that anyone is going to decline delivery. They’re just making…… Continue Reading
BOAH urges two-pronged approach after recent EEE detection
The Indiana State Board of Animal Health is emphasizing the importance of a two-pronged approach in preventing Eastern equine encephalitis. Denise Derrer Spears, BOAH’s public information director, says vaccination and limiting exposure to mosquitoes can be the best way to prevent infection. “It’s common in mosquitoes that are found to breed in freshwater wetlands,” she…… Continue Reading
