At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were mixed, mostly lower ahead of the week’s direct business. August live cattle closed $.17 higher at $209.55 and October live cattle closed $.15 lower at $206.95. August feeder cattle closed $.55 lower at $302.25 and September feeder cattle closed $.17 lower at $302.45. Direct cash…… Continue Reading
Federal proposal would bring black vulture relief
The director of commodity programs and food systems with the Illinois Farm Bureau says a re-introduced federal proposal would make it easier for farmers and ranchers to control federally protected black vultures. Tasha Bunting tells Brownfield the birds are predators that tend to target young livestock. “What we are seeing is definitely not a slowdown in…… Continue Reading
Grains monitor energy markets
An ag economist says corn and soybean futures will be monitoring the energy markets in the short-term. Allendale’s Greg McBride tells Brownfield the conflict with Iran has caused crude oil to have some volatility. “When it comes to corn, beans, wheat or anything like that, at this time of the year we’re going to be…… Continue Reading
Heatwave accelerates crop growth and crop pests
Recent heat is expected to accelerate the development of crop pests. Iowa State University Extension entomologist Erin Hodgson says Growing Degree Day Units have exploded with heat indexes in the triple digits across several Midwestern states. “That’s going to accelerate everything, plant growth but also insect growth. So it’s going to speed up everything, the…… Continue Reading
Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: June 24, 2025
Jul. corn closed at $4.16 and 1/4, down 3 centsJul. soybeans closed at $10.46 and 3/4, down 12 centsJul. soybean meal closed at $280.50, down $1.90Jul. soybean oil closed at 52.17, down 107 pointsJul. wheat closed at $5.35 and 3/4, down 17 centsAug. live cattle closed at $209.55, up 17 centsAug. feeder cattle closed at…… Continue Reading
Another down day for soybeans, corn, wheat
Soybeans were lower on fund and technical selling. The USDA’s national crop rating held at 66% good to excellent with near-term development conditions mostly seen as favorable. The question of just how many acres were planted in 2025 gets its initial answer on the 30th, with the USDA also releasing the quarterly grain stocks numbers…… Continue Reading
Economist says there is some potential for growth in the cattle herd
A livestock economist says the slowdown in beef cow slaughter could be a sign that herd liquidation is coming to an end. University of Kentucky’s Kenny Burdine says that through May, beef cow slaughter has declined 18 percent from this time last year. “We probably came into 2024 and 2025 with a little bit younger…… Continue Reading
Patience when dealing with downed corn
The agronomy education lead with Beck’s Hybrids says some crops have been hampered by recent storms. In a recent Illinois Soybean Association webinar, Matt Montgomery says vulnerable corn crops were the most impacted. “We did have some pretty windy events that knocked the crop around just a little bit and a lot of down corn…… Continue Reading
Eastern Corn Belt weather update
A regional climatologist says warmer temperatures could help improve crop conditions following a challenging start to spring. Melissa Widhelm with the Midwestern Regional Climate Center says early season rainfall has helped improve soil moisture levels. “If we look ahead to the next week, we are looking at less than an inch or 3/4 of an inch…… Continue Reading
Options for late-planted or replanted soybeans
The final crop insurance planting date for soybeans has passed in the Eastern Corn Belt, but an agronomist says farmers still planting have options. Ohio State’s Laura Lindsey tells Brownfield, “When you plant at the end of June or into July, we like to really emphasize the need for narrow row width. As planting is delayed,…… Continue Reading
