The U.S. House has passed President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, 216-214, and many ag groups say it includes several key wins for the industry. Ryan Yates with American Farm Bureau Federation tells Brownfield, “It is a big win for farmers and ranchers. You’ve got $65.5 billion dollars that will be invested in commodity programs,…… Continue Reading
Cattle futures higher to end the holiday-shortened week
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were higher, watching the cash market. August live cattle closed $1.60 higher at $214.05 and October live cattle closed $1.20 higher at $210.90. August feeder cattle closed $.47 higher at $309.50 and September feeder cattle closed $.50 higher at $309.37. Direct cash cattle trade activity was…… Continue Reading
Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: July 3, 2025
Sep. corn closed at $4.20 and 1/4, up 2 and 1/4 centsAug. soybeans closed at $10.55 and 1/2, up 2 centsAug. soybean meal closed at $277.40, up 60 centsAug. soybean oil closed at 54.55, down 47 pointsSep. wheat closed at $5.56 and 3/4, down 7 and 1/4 centsAug. live cattle closed at $214.05, up $1.60Aug.…… Continue Reading
Soybeans, corn firm, wheat mixed ahead of July 4th
Soybeans were modestly higher on short covering and technical buying, padding the weekly gains slightly. Unknown destinations bought 226,000 tons of old crop U.S. beans ahead of the open, along with 45,000 tons of old and 150,000 tons of new crop bean meal. Weekly old crop soybeans were fell short of the five-week average at…… Continue Reading
A good year for the potatoes
A central Illinois potato grower says it’s been a good year. Kelsey Bess manages Neumiller-Sproule Farms, which grows over 1,000 acres of potatoes on the sandy, irrigated soils of Mason County. “We had a lot of rain up front during the planting season, which helped get our crop emerged and get that canopy to smother…… Continue Reading
Cotton growers pleased with farm bill provisions in reconciliation
An economics and policy expert with the National Cotton Council says cotton growers are pleased with farm program updates included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Jody Campiche tells Brownfield a reference price boost was needed, because of the rise in production costs. “Right now, it’s set at 36.7 cents per pound and in…… Continue Reading
Missouri governor approves ag budget and cotton legislation
In the last week, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe has signed two ag-related bills approved by Missouri lawmakers this year. The Fiscal Year 2026 budget for the Missouri Ag Department includes $55 million in bonding for the Missouri State Fair, $800,000 in ongoing funding for Missouri FFA and more than $330,800 to boost Missouri’s inspection and…… Continue Reading
Missouri’s Attorney General to investigate Grain Belt Express
Missouri’s Attorney General says he is starting an investigation of the Grain Belt Express. The Grain Belt Express project would construct transmission lines across Missouri to transport wind-generated energy from Kansas to Indiana. Andrew Bailey tells Brownfield the investigation is happening to protect Missouri consumers and agriculture. “The Grain Belt Express was sold off as…… Continue Reading
Ethanol exports maintain fast pace
U.S. ethanol exports during May were record large for the month. The Renewable Fuels Association says 184.7 million gallons of ethanol left U.S. shores in May, rising 7% from April, with Canada maintaining its status as the top destination. Shipments to the United Kingdom and Colombia were also up on the month, but movement to…… Continue Reading
WIU names interim School of Agriculture director
The new interim director of the School of Agriculture at Western Illinois University (WIU) wants to make the program one of the most sought-after in the country. Keela Trennepohl, who’s been an animal science instructor at the school since 2017, tells Brownfield, “I’m so excited to be able to get to know everyone, and kind…… Continue Reading
