Aaron Porter, a farmer in southeast Missouri, says the crops are mixed as July begins. “Some corn looks good and some corn looks stressed, a little yellow,” he says. “Some soybeans look good and other soybeans have been replanted. And the cotton is taking off finally after a week of warmer, dry conditions.” He says…… Continue Reading
Conditions favorable for disease pressure in north Iowa
A north Iowa corn and soybean farmer is concerned weather conditions are favorable for disease pressure. Chris Edgington of Saint Ansgar says June was wetter than normal. “Soybeans especially do not like wet feet, and they’ve got wet feet and they’re going to keep wet feet. So there will be some disease challenges.” He tells…… Continue Reading
Precision Conservation Management comes to Missouri
A program that helps farmers reduce nitrogen loss is now available in northern Missouri. Precision Conservation Management is a farm-service program, created by the Illinois Corn Growers Association, and designed to help farmers understand the costs and benefits of conservation practices. Landon Anderson is a conservation specialist with PCM. “We want to understand how conservation…… Continue Reading
Minnesota farmer making room for new crop
A southwest Minnesota farmer is making room for his 2025 crop. Brewster corn and soybean grower Chris Hill tells Brownfield his focus is shifting from postemergence herbicide applications to cleaning out grain bins. “Getting ready for the next crop.” He spoke to Brownfield while loading grain for delivery Tuesday. “For the most part it’s all…… Continue Reading
Wheat sees modestly higher finish
Soybeans were mostly firm. The USDA’s national crop rating held, and near-term development conditions remain mostly favorable, putting some early pressure on contracts. There was some help from a higher move in bean oil on biofuel demand expectations. The USDA confirmed a record soybean crush in May at 204 million bushels, up 2 million on…… Continue Reading
Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: July 1, 2025
Sep. corn closed at $4.06, down 3/4 centAug. soybeans closed at $10.29 and 3/4, unchangedAug. soybean meal closed at $273.70, down $2.10Aug. soybean oil closed at 53.66, up 101 pointsSep. wheat closed at $5.49, up 10 and 3/4 centsAug. live cattle closed at $210.75, down $3.12Aug. feeder cattle closed at $306.02, down $4.65Aug. lean hogs…… Continue Reading
Minnesota farmer bullish on sustainable aviation fuel
A Minnesota corn and soybean farmer is bullish on the market potential of sustainable aviation fuel. Rob Tate of Cannon Falls says crops could become a major SAF feedstock. “I’m hopeful that we could see something in the next few years. I think we need to have some more guidance on that.” He tells Brownfield…… Continue Reading
Farmer sentiment declines due to trade uncertainty
An ag economist says ongoing trade uncertainty led to a decline in the latest Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer. Professor emeritus Jim Mintert with Purdue’s Center for Commercial Agriculture says farmers are less optimistic about the future. “I think that decline, that loss of optimism about future ag export prospects really explains the change that we saw in that index…… Continue Reading
Idled biodiesel plants benefit from high RVO levels, ISA says
A farmer-director with the Iowa Soybean Association says the U.S. EPA’s proposed Renewable Volume Obligations for 2026 came at a critical time. Dave Walton tells Brownfield, “In Iowa we have a number of biodiesel plants that are either shut down, slowed down, or running at far less than their capacity. This should send a signal…… Continue Reading
USDA confirms strong soybean crush, corn for ethanol mixed
May was another strong month for the domestic soybean crush. The USDA says 204 million bushels of beans were crushed for meal and oil production, a record for the month, rising 2 million bushels from April and 12 million from May 2024. The big driver for the crush continues to be soybean oil demand expectations.…… Continue Reading
