U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer says the U.S. is talking to dozens of countries following last month’s tariff announcements, but a former chief ag negotiator says new trade deals take time. Darci Vetter says it takes a lot of prep work before the countries come to the negotiating table to work through trade deals. “Having…… Continue Reading
Corn Belt farmers embrace a season without over-the-top dicamba
U.S. soybean and cotton farmers are taking a different approach to weed management as the U.S. EPA reviews three over-the-top dicamba products. Jordan Bredehoft from Lafayette County, Missouri says it’s his first year using Enlist and Liberty to control waterhemp in soybeans. He tells Brownfield he will miss over-the-top dicamba. “That post, over-the-top application really…… Continue Reading
Flooded fields could result in fewer cotton acres
Northeast Arkansas farmer Nathan Reed says waterlogged fields from last month’s floods will encourage some Delta farmers to plant fewer cotton acres this spring. “We’ve got some fields that are still a few weeks off from planting,” he says. “It seems like even the fields that aren’t flooded, we get a few good rains and…… Continue Reading
Minnesota farmer dials in crop fertility plan
A southeast Minnesota farmer is dialing in his crop fertility plan. Ed McNamara of Goodhue says nitrogen continues to provide a good return on investment. “Where we’re putting a little bit down pre before we hit it with the field cultivator, and then come in with a second shot at you know V5.” The corn…… Continue Reading
A good, early spring in South Dakota
South Dakota farmer Jason Frerichs says the early spring is a win for area farmers. “It was almost too good to be true,” he says. “The forecast didn’t look bad, there wasn’t any snow and it doesn’t look like it’s too cold or wet, so we just got going.” Frerichs says corn and soybeans have…… Continue Reading
Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: May 2, 2025
Jul. corn closed at $4.69, down 3 and 1/4 centsJul. soybeans closed at $10.558, up 7 and 3/4 centsJul. soybean meal closed at $296.90, up $2.60Jul. soybean oil closed at 49.43, down 27 pointsJul. wheat closed at $5.43, up 12 centsJun. live cattle closed at $211.10, up $1.45Aug. feeder cattle closed at $296.95, up $2.45Jun.…… Continue Reading
Ag Retailers Association offers H-2A resources to members
Labor shortages are pressing agricultural retailers to depend more on H-2A seasonal guest workers. Richard Gupton with the Ag Retailers Association tells Brownfield their organization has created LaborLink to help members navigate the complicated program with the help of másLabor. “There’s a big need for specialty services workers in our space and you just can’t…… Continue Reading
Wheat sees support from oversold signals, lower dollar
Soybeans were higher on commercial and technical buying, but still posting a week-to-week decline. Contracts extended their bounce from Thursday with help from a lower move in the dollar. There’s been a lot of talk about tariff negotiations with key trading partners, especially China, but no real public progress. Additionally, any resolution to the broad…… Continue Reading
Cattle, hog futures higher to finish the week
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were up on the week’s stronger cash business. June live cattle closed $1.45 higher at $211.10 and August live cattle closed $2.12 higher at $206.77. August feeder cattle closed $2.45 higher at $296.90 and September feeder cattle closed $2.70 higher at $295.55. It was a quiet…… Continue Reading
Research shows biologicial crop inputs improve nutrient efficiency
A research agronomist says biological products are helping increase yields by increasing the crop’s ability to use fertilizer. Kip Jacobs from Mosaic Biosciences tells Brownfield so far, most of the big jumps in yield have come from new hybrids developed with traits for things like drought resistance, but nutrient use efficiency is changing how producers…… Continue Reading
