U.S. and Japan work through trade negotiations

President Trump says Japan doesn’t want American grown rice and he’s threatened higher tariffs as a result. Arlan Suderman with Stone X Group says the message from President Trump is likely a point of leverage as trade negotiations continue. “To try and maybe get them to give on other points.” Suderman says the type of…Continue Reading

Poor soybean seed germ affecting stands, yields

A soybean researcher warned of possible seed germ problems this spring, and now says his prediction of poor stands has come true. Shawn Conley with the University of Wisconsin Soybean Program told Brownfield in February and again before planting time that farmers need to read the seed tags and watch for seed germ ratings below…Continue Reading

Sub-average temps, with a wetter pattern still ahead for much of the Heartland

Looking ahead, the 6- to 10-day outlook calls for the likelihood of near- or above-normal temperatures and rainfall across most of the country.  Cooler-than-normal conditions will be confined to portions of the central and southern Plains. Meanwhile, drier-than-normal weather should be limited to an area stretching from the Pacific Northwest into Nevada, Utah, and northern…Continue Reading

RFA looking for another big win for biofuels this year

The CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association is looking for more wins for the biofuel industry in 2025. Geoff Cooper tells Brownfield EPA’s recently proposed Renewable Volume Obligations and a June Supreme Court decision involving small refinery exemption requests are both big victories. “Things are on a great trajectory with the Renewable Fuel Standard, but…Continue Reading

OBBBA would impact farm bill

A member of the House Agriculture Committee says passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act would likely hamper a new farm bill. “Are we even going to have a farm bill anymore?” Illinois Democratic Representative Eric Sorensen says the legislation proposes billions of dollars in cuts to the SNAP program, which is traditionally the…Continue Reading

Weeds prevalent in northern Iowa

A north-central Iowa farmer says weed pressure has been a mixed bag this year. Brent Renner tells Brownfield every field has been different on his farm. “Depending on what you experience for planting conditions,” he said. “We had some residue issues with soybeans that didn’t allow those beans to get up and going the way…Continue Reading

Selling unpriced grain

A southeast Minnesota farmer has unpriced grain to sell. Ben Storm grows corn and soybeans near Dover. “We’ll start moving old crop corn again here this next week, most of which is priced. But the market has been a little soft (so) I’m hoping for a little bump to finish pricing the last of it.”…Continue Reading

Cost of fertilizer vs price of corn ratio worsens

The high cost of fertilizer coupled with low commodity prices have some farmers already considering their options for next growing season. Fertilizer market analyst Josh Linville with StoneX Group tells Brownfield current prices mean more sold bushels are needed to cover the cost of fertilizer. “Phosphate values here of late versus that December 26th corn…Continue Reading

Soybeans, corn, wheat up on oversold signals

Soybeans were higher on commercial and technical buying. Contracts followed the lead of bean oil, which was up on demand expectations for biofuels. The higher movement in crude oil was also positive for both bean oil and soybeans. U.S. crop development conditions continue to look largely favorable. The USDA’s updated production outlook is set for…Continue Reading

Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: July 2, 2025

Sep. corn closed at $4.18, up 12 centsAug. soybeans closed at $10.53 and 1/2, up 23 and 3/4 centsAug. soybean meal closed at $276.80, up $3.10Aug. soybean oil closed at 55.02, up 136 pointsSep. wheat closed at $5.64, up 15 centsAug. live cattle closed at $212.45, up $1.70Aug. feeder cattle closed at $309.02, up $3.00Aug.…Continue Reading

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