First cutting of hay 57% complete in Missouri

A break in rain events is helping some Missouri farmers advance hay harvest. Tony Hancock is with the Missouri Department of Agriculture. “The hay equipment has come out in full bore,” he says.  “Everybody’s just running hard now because we are slightly behind. It’s not a huge number, but we are slightly behind.” According to…Continue Reading

Hog futures higher to start the week

At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live cattle were mixed, and feeders were up ahead of the week’s direct business.  Feeders did have some support from the lower move in corn.  August live cattle closed $.45 lower at $209.37 and October live cattle closed $.25 lower at $207.10.  August feeder cattle closed $.35 higher at $302.80…Continue Reading

Michigan corn conditions improve week to week

The USDA says corn conditions improved in Michigan over the last week. Monday’s crop progress report says the state’s corn crop is rated 57% good to excellent as of Sunday, up five percentage points from the previous week. Ninety-six percent of the crop has emerged, in line with the five-year average. Soybean condition ratings declined…Continue Reading

Minnesota crops off to better start in 2025

Crops in southern Minnesota are off to a better start compared to a year ago. Farm management analyst Kent Thiesse says corn and soybeans look even after extensive planting delays during the spring of 2024. “Certainly this warm weather, maybe not quite this hot, but it’s certainly been welcome.  I think those roots going down…Continue Reading

Soybeans, corn, wheat start week with losses

Soybeans were lower on speculative and technical selling. Temperatures remain hot in most of the region, but some areas are expected to see cooler conditions and rainfall this week. The trade was anticipating a rise in the USDA’s national crop rating. The USDA says the rating held at 66% good to excellent, with 96% of…Continue Reading

North Iowa farmer says crops are behind

A north central Iowa farmer says crop development is behind. Chris Edgington of Saint Ansgar tells Brownfield he didn’t begin planting until May 5th. “Crop conditions aren’t as good, we definitely needed this heat (and) don’t need a ton of rain.  But we definitely needed the heat to make up.” USDA’s latest weekly crop update…Continue Reading

USMEF discusses port congestion concerns

Some ag groups have asked the Trump administration to engage with supply chain stakeholders to address concerns about anticipated port congestion. Joe Schuele (she-lee) with the U.S. Meat Export Federation says there are fears that tariff implementation changes with markets like China could recreate supply chain disruptions that the U.S. faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.…Continue Reading

70% of U.S. corn, 66% of soybeans good to excellent

Major crop condition rating changes were mixed over the past week. That followed another round of mixed weather in much of the region for most of the week ahead of a turn to significantly hotter temperatures in many areas. The USDA says 70% of U.S. corn is called good to excellent, down 2% on the…Continue Reading

Farmers weighing replant options

Ohio State’s soybean and small grains agronomist says early season weather challenges have some farmers considering their replant options. Laura Lindsey says overall, it’s been a hard year. “Some farmers were able to take advantage of some good planting in April, but the month of May was extremely wet across the state,” she says. “Some…Continue Reading

U.S. ag industry monitors conflict with Iran

An ag economist says escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran could have an impact on the ag industry. But Allendale’s Greg McBride tells Brownfield it shouldn’t influence exports or world ending stocks. “A lot of it is going to be revolving around the conversation about inflation,” he said. “Because if you do end up…Continue Reading

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