Nitrogen deficiencies are starting to appear in parts of the Corn Belt after periods of heavy rainfall this spring. In this episode of Managing for Profit, Purdue University Extension’s corn specialist Dan Quinn explains the cause and why growers should monitor their soil nutrients. The post The impacts of nitrogen deficiency appeared first on Brownfield…… Continue Reading
Central IL crops benefitting from better weather
A central Illinois farmer says recent rains and a break from the heat have been good for the crops. Mark Bunselmeyer, who farms in Macon County and serves as the vice president of the Illinois Corn Growers Association, says the relief arrived just in time. “We went through two weeks of no rain and 90-plus…… Continue Reading
Cattle futures close higher, lean hog futures lower
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle futures were higher, buying back part of Monday’s drop on oversold signals, with help from a higher midday move in the wholesale market. August live cattle were up $3.05 at $222.40 and October was $2.50 higher at $219.27. August feeders were $2.80 higher at $322.27 and…… Continue Reading
Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: July 15, 2025
Sep. corn closed at $4.01 and 1/4, up 1 and 1/4 centsAug. soybeans closed at $9.95, down 6 centsAug. soybean meal closed at $265.30, down $2.40Aug. soybean oil closed at 54.56, up 39 pointsSep. wheat closed at $5.38, down 3 and 1/2 centsAug. live cattle closed at $222.40, up $3.05Aug. feeder cattle closed at $322.27,…… Continue Reading
Scout for soybean aphids in 2025
Farmers are encouraged to scout for soybean aphids the rest of the growing season. Ron Geis with Corteva Agriscience says they were highly prevalent during the 2024 growing season. “If you are out there scouting, you’re finding aphid pressures, and you’re finding the aphid pressures are building, then you can confidently put Ridgeback in with…… Continue Reading
A need for US soybean meal in Africa
A farmer-leader with the United Soybean Board says there’s a growing need for U.S. soybean meal in Africa. Shannon Tignor-Ellis tells Brownfield that Africa’s aquaculture industry is booming, growing at nearly twice the global rate. “It’s a huge opportunity there to provide them with high quality protein in the form of soy aquafeeds.” Tignor-Ellis recently…… Continue Reading
Corn continues to find light support
Soybeans were modestly lower on fund and technical selling. 70% of the U.S. crop is rated good to excellent, up 4% on the week and the highest rating for this point of the season in a few years, while near-term crop weather remains generally favorable. The NOPA member crush numbers for June were bullish, largely…… Continue Reading
Grassley frustrated with Brazil’s ethanol tariffs
U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley says he’s asking the Trump administration to address Brazil’s 18% tariff on ethanol imports. “Brazil’s unfair tariffs have allowed the country to shelter its domestic ethanol industry from competition here in the United States. Brazil is trying to take global market share away from the United States by producing artificially cheap…… Continue Reading
Running out of time for old crop
The co-founder of AgMarket.net says farmers with bins full of old crop are running out of time. Matt Bennett, who also farms in central Illinois, tells Brownfield, “A lot of folks have been waiting on that summer weather market, and it’s just never come to pass.” He says, “This is really the third year in…… Continue Reading
Self-sabotage a problem in agriculture
Commentary. I have been writing about it in this column for more than twenty years, yet it never ceases to amaze me how otherwise rational adults can turn into combative middle schoolers the moment certain hot-button topics hit the table. Topics like antibiotic use in livestock, glyphosate, GMOs, climate change and carbon markets. Toss in…… Continue Reading
