The USDA’s 2025 red meat production numbers were down from August, while poultry guesses were up. Beef is estimated at 25.826 billion pounds, down 100 million on the month due to cuts to slaughter for the back half of the year, with an average steer price of $228.56 per hundredweight, up $1.50, higher imports, lower…… Continue Reading
USDA sees larger 2025 sorghum crop with bigger yields and plantings
The USDA has hiked its 2025 sorghum production guess. The crop is now estimated at 402.235 million bushels, 10.74 million more than in August on upward revisions for yield and acreage, with the crop expected to be 17% larger than 2024 on year-over-year gains for yield and area. This year’s yield is pegged at 70.4…… Continue Reading
Iowa farmer says diversification is key in tough ag economy
An Iowa farmer says being diversified is helping during the downturn in the ag economy. Logan Lyon farms in the southeast part of the state. “Here outside of Bluegrass we are really diverse, further than the row crop and livestock even. We make a lot of hay (and) straw, so having our hands in different…… Continue Reading
Cotton, rice production up in latest USDA report — but below 2024 numbers
The USDA’s cotton and rice production guesses are up on the month, while remaining below a year ago. Upland cotton was a little bit larger than the August report at 12.915 million bales following upward revisions on acreage, now at 9.153 million for planted and 7.23 million for harvested, but 8% smaller than 2024 due…… Continue Reading
Local farmers, institutions could benefit from revived USDA food program
A Minnesota specialty crop producer is urging Congress to reauthorize USDA’s Local Food Purchase Assistance Program. Dan Zimmerli, a vegetable grower from Waseca County, says the previous administration launched the program through the Commodity Credit Corporation in late 2022. “Which provided money for schools and daycares and so on to purchase food from farms like…… Continue Reading
South Korea remains key market for U.S. Beef, USMEF reports $1.4 billion in sales
The president of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board says it’s important to maintain strong trading relationships as U.S. beef prices continue to push higher. Ryan Moorhouse says South Korea has been a crucial market. “Beef exports in particular are worth $411.00 per head on the finished carcass basis,” he says. “And $100 of the $400 is…… Continue Reading
America’s Heartland Packing ramping up production
As many as 2400 head of Midwestern cattle per day can be processed by the nation’s newest meat packing facility. David Jagodzinske, president and COO of American Foods Group, says the America’s Heartland Packing plant, near Wright City, Missouri, sources cattle from up to 500 miles away. “We’re really proud to be in the state…… Continue Reading
U.S. beef exports to China plummet 94% amid trade disruptions; global demand shifts
Exports of U.S. beef continue to run below year-ago levels. Josh Maples, an ag economist with Mississippi State University, says one of the big stories is China. “China had become one of our larger beef export destinations,” he says. But he tells Brownfield the shift in demand has been catastrophic. “Exports to China were down…… Continue Reading
Cash dairy prices mostly lower again Friday
Cash dairy prices were lower except for dry whey Friday at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Dry whey was up $0.0075 at $0.5925. Four sales were recorded, ranging from $0.5850 to $0.5875. Forty-pound cheese blocks were down $0.0050 at $1.6150. Five sales were recorded, ranging from $1.60 to $1.6150. Cheese barrels were down $0.0225 at $1.6125. Two sales…… Continue Reading
USDA raises 2025 corn, soybean production on larger acreage despite slight yield cuts
The USDA has raised its expectations for 2025 corn and soybean production. The corn crop estimate is slightly more than in August and 13% above 2024 at 16.814 billion bushels, with a 2.1 bushel per acre cut to average yield, now at 186.7 bushels per acre, canceled out by larger planted and harvested acreage, at…… Continue Reading
