There are increasing reports of crop pests migrating north into the Midwest. Iowa State University Extension agronomist Angie Rieck-Hinz says there’s been significant black cutworm moth and true armyworm moth flights the past two weeks. “They’re migratory (so) they fly up from the south (and) are attracted to the green growing areas, so weedy fields,…… Continue Reading
Minnesota Pork president concerned about tariff harm
The president of Minnesota Pork is emphasizing the potential harm trade wars can have on agriculture. Todd Selvik says tariffs cause retaliation and uncertainty. “It would be really good to get our opinions out there, to tell people the state of the industry and that we’re not unscathed by all this stuff.” The Waseca crop…… Continue Reading
Smaller, more frequent farmer selling could help grain marketing
A market analyst says farmers should consider making smaller and more frequent sales to improve their grain marketing strategy. Bryan Doherty with Total Farm Marketing says getting started can be the hardest part, “If you sell some early, it’s easier to sell more on a rally.” He tells Brownfield rallies can be short-lived and futures…… Continue Reading
Quiet, mixed end to the week for soybeans, corn, wheat
Soybeans were mixed, with nearby months ending the week higher. The trade was monitoring the early U.S. planting pace, expecting some delays, and Argentina’s harvest, which is behind due to rain. The Buenos Aires Grain Exchange says 14.5% of the crop has been harvested. Beans continue to wait for any real thaw in the tariff…… Continue Reading
Hog futures supported by cash and wholesale business
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live cattle were mixed, feeders were higher, waiting for the week’s direct trade to develop. June live cattle closed $.25 higher at $208.25 and August live cattle were unchanged at $204.10. May feeder cattle closed $1.45 higher at $290.52 and August feeder cattle closed $1.60 higher at $294.30. It took…… Continue Reading
Routine federal food safety inspections need resources to move to states
States could soon be responsible for routine federal food safety inspections if budget proposals being considered by the Trump administration move forward. Joe Reardon with the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture is a former Senior Advisor for Federal-State Relations with the Food and Drug Administration. He tells Brownfield work to integrate the food safety systems has…… Continue Reading
Rice farmer says fields still flooded
A farmer in northeast Arkansas says he’s still waiting to replant after several thousand acres of his cropland flooded earlier this month. Jeff Rutledge says flood recovery is a long process and there’s more rain in the forecast. “For now, we’re just trying to make due and salvage what crop we can, salvage the field…… Continue Reading
Trade mission highlights value of U.S. corn in Southeast Asia
A recent trade mission to southeast Asia was an opportunity for farmers to highlight the value of U.S. corn. Wyandot County farmer Nate Bair says the quality of U.S. corn is what sets it apart in the global market. “It was a corn quality rollout and kind of giving a recap of what the corn…… Continue Reading
Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: April 25, 2025
May corn closed at $4.78 and 3/4, up 1 and 1/2 centsMay soybeans closed at $10.49 and 3/4, down 3 and 1/4 centsMay soybean meal closed at $290.00, up $1.30May soybean oil closed at 49.28, down 37 pointsMay wheat closed at $5.30, up 3/4 centJun. live cattle closed at $208.25, up 25 centsMay feeder cattle…… Continue Reading
March poultry production up 3% on year
4.223 billion pounds of poultry were certified wholesome in March 2025, up 3% from March 2024. The USDA says that included 3.831 billion pounds of chicken, 4% higher than last year, with turkey at 381.283 million pounds, 7% lower. The chicken slaughter rose 3% to 774.623 million head and the average live weight was 1%…… Continue Reading
