A cool start to August

Much of the Midwest is experiencing a summer cooldown to begin August. Iowa state climatologist Justin Glisan says both air temperatures and dewpoints are dropping. “To actually below-normal for this time of year. So it’s going to be very comfortable (and) feel more like late spring versus where we’ve been with heat index values in…Continue Reading

Featured Farmers represent agriculture at this year’s Indiana State Fair 

Fifteen farm families are representing the ag industry during this year’s Indiana State Fair. Nick DeKryger with Belstra Milling Company in Jasper County says the Featured Farmers program highlights different sectors of Indiana agriculture. “We have about 24,000 sows raising about 300,000 market hogs,” he says. “We’re in feed manufacturing for all livestock but have…Continue Reading

U.S. wheat outlook bearish

A risk management consultant with Stone X says he’s bearish on the wheat market. Brownfield’s Jared White filed this report from the 2025 Illinois Wheat forum. “The thing that’s got me the most bearish on wheat is corn prices. It’s hard to keep that wheat-corn spread too wide.” Mike O’Dea says it’s also a supply…Continue Reading

Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary in 50th year of consumer potato education

An agriculture group celebrating 50 years of educating Wisconsin consumers and children about potatoes.  Jody Baginski is with the Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary, a group of women who organized in 1975 when then-Governor Patrick Lucey claimed he lost twenty pounds by eliminating potatoes from his diet.  That negetive message prompted the new group to find…Continue Reading

Seasonal heat, humidity to return to the Heartland; sct’d storms (Derecho?) for some

Looking ahead, the 6- to 10-day outlook calls for near- or above-normal temperatures nationwide, except for cooler-than-normal conditions in the northernmost Rockies.  The southern High Plains and the Southwest will have the greatest likelihood of experiencing anomalously hot weather.  Meanwhile, above-normal rainfall in much of the northern U.S. and east of the Mississippi River should…Continue Reading

More ethanol likely part of South Korea’s new agreement

The U.S. Grains Council is praising the recently announced trade deal with South Korea. Advisory Trade Policy Team Lead and Michigan farmer Chris Creuger tells Brownfield farm profitability is the number one concern of growers. “We’d sure love to see a turnaround in a rally in the markets, back to some more profitable levels,” he…Continue Reading

New tariffs set to go into effect tomorrow

As the calendar turns to August, new tariffs will go into effect for several countries that haven’t reached trade agreements with the United States. President Trump is expected to issue a new executive order outlining the details on Thursday. Trump paused his initial tariff plan so countries could negotiate new deals with the United States,…Continue Reading

MSU reporting light pest pressure

Michigan State University’s entomologist says this season’s pest pressure has been surprisingly limited. Chis Difonzo tells Brownfield, “No calls about aphids, I know they’re out there.” “Japanese beetle—right on time coming out, doing its mating, defoliation on field edges,” she shares. “I’ve seen some corn rootworm out there. It’s just been pretty darn quiet.” She…Continue Reading

Corn, wheat end last session of July mixed

Soybeans were lower on fund and technical selling. There was another round of pressure from favorable development conditions and big crop expectations. Key development phases are rapidly approaching and will continue to be watched very closely for any potential impact on yield. The USDA’s updated supply, demand, and production numbers are out August 12th. Old…Continue Reading

Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: July 31, 2025

Sep. corn closed at $3.94, up 2 and 1/4 centsAug. soybeans closed at $9.61 and 3/4, down 6 centsAug. soybean meal closed at $261.80, up $1.10Aug. soybean oil closed at 55.58, down 92 pointsSep. wheat closed at $5.23 and 1/4, down 1/2 centAug. live cattle closed at $227.77, down $5.30Aug. feeder cattle closed at $331.37,…Continue Reading

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