Madeliene Pollard of the Lathrop FFA Chapter in Missouri is the national winner in Diversified Crop Production Entrepreneurship. Her SAE includes two different types of crops — 135 acres of soybeans and 166 acres of corn. Among many increased skills, Pollard has learned how to operate and care for machinery, plant and harvest crops, watch…… Continue Reading
Tucker Snook- National winner in Turf and Landscape Maintenance – Entrepreneurship/Placement
Tucker Snook of the Cambridge FFA Chapter in Illinois expanded his SAE from a simple mowing business with 12 customers to a full-service turf and landscape business with 40 customers. Snook plans to obtain an associate’s degree in agriculture and continue to be an entrepreneur, operating a full-service landscaping and excavation business with specialties in…… Continue Reading
Cattle futures sharply lower to finish the week
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were sharply lower on technical liquidation and the weaker direct business. December live cattle closed $1.42 lower at $229.67 and February live cattle closed $1.82 lower at $227.67. November feeder cattle closed $2.95 lower at $338.87 and January feeder cattle closed $2.32 lower at $331.90. Direct…… Continue Reading
MO pork industry remains vibrant
The executive director of the Missouri Pork Association says the state’s pork industry remains vibrant as it continues to change Scott Hayes tells Brownfield… “It’s a much smaller industry than it used to be. We have about 3.5 million pigs in Missouri today and 1944 was our our high watermark on the number of pigs…… Continue Reading
Soybeans end week sharply higher as China commits to major U.S. purchases
Soybeans were higher on commercial and technical buying, cementing what would have already been a sharply higher weekly finish. Contracts were supported by the ongoing optimism about the framework with China and the resumption of soybean trade. That includes 12 million tons of soybeans to be bought by Beijing this year, and 25 million tons…… Continue Reading
Milk futures and cash dairy mixed to end the week
On the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, November milk futures closed down 17 at $17.66. December up 3 at $17.35. January a penny higher at $16.72. February through April contracts 1 to 9 cents lower. Dry whey up $0.01 at $0.71 Blocks down $0.0575 at $1.7675 Barrels down $0.0150 at $1.8050 Butter up $0.0375 at $1.61 Nonfat…… Continue Reading
Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: October 31, 2025
Dec. corn $4.31 and 1/2, up 1 and 1/4 centsNov. soybeans $10.99 and 3/4, up 8 and 1/2 centsDec. soybean meal $321.60, up $6.00Dec. soybean oil 48.68, down 97 pointsDec. Chicago wheat $5.34, up 9 and 3/4 centsDec. live cattle $229.67, down $1.42Nov. feeder cattle $338.87, down $2.95Dec. lean hogs $81.27, up 45 centsNov. Class…… Continue Reading
Clarity needed on China’s soybean commitments to boost market confidence
The co-founder of AgMarket.net says the unknown details on soybean purchases in the announced trade framework between the U.S. and China matter greatly. Matt Bennett, who also farms in central Illinois, tells Brownfield, “Are we looking at 12 + 25, which would be 37 million metric tons. Is that going to happen by next January…… Continue Reading
Rising costs and low prices push Arkansas crop farmers deeper into the red
Arkansas crop farmers are entering their third consecutive year of financial strains and an ag economist says it will take market creativity to survive. Ryan Loy with University of Arkansas Extension says production expenses continue to exceed total cash income. “It’s kind of a perfect recipe for a perfect storm. Prices for major Arkansas crops…… Continue Reading
Corn harvest chugging along in South Dakota
Two farmers in northeast South Dakota say corn harvest is advancing well. Doug Noem farms in Hamlin County and says the yields have been average and rains have helped the corn. “Corn is probably at 20 percent moisture. We like to get it to 15 percent. So we’ve been running it through the dryer.” Noem…… Continue Reading
