Sand management is an important consideration on many dairy farms. Renee Schrift with McLanahan Corporation says producers often source locally. “It’s going to do the job for their manure system setup. So if a dairy is not separating sand but they need to get that sand out to the fields, they’re going to use something…… Continue Reading
More cash cattle trade develops Wednesday
Chicago Mercantile Exchange live and feeder cattle futures closed lower on technical selling, waiting for direct cash business to get established in the north. June live cattle were down $1.15 at $212.52 and August was $1.00 lower at $208.37. August feeders were $.60 lower at $298.60 and September was down $.55 at $297.32. Cash cattle…… Continue Reading
Optimism about Ag Road funds as Wisconsin legislature begins work on budget details
The Wisconsin Legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance gets down to details on the next biennial budget Thursday. Farmer and Assembly Ag Committee Chair Travis Tranel tells Brownfield the state spends about 100-billion dollars over the two year period, but Governor Tony Evers has proposed spending 120 billion. “I think most people realize a twenty-percent increase…… Continue Reading
Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: May 7, 2025
Jul. corn closed at $4.49 and 1/4, down 6 and 1/4 centsJul. soybeans closed at $10.39 and 1/4, down 2 centsJul. soybean meal closed at $295.00, up $2.00Jul. soybean oil closed at 47.33, down 102 pointsJul. wheat closed at $5.34 and 1/4, down 1 and 3/4 centsJun. live cattle closed at $212.52, down $1.15Aug. feeder…… Continue Reading
Cheese prices up over last week
Cheese prices have gone up recently, and as of Monday, barrel prices exceeded block prices again. Market advisor Mike North with Ever.ag says barrel prices getting above block prices is becoming more common, but he says for both, prices are caught in a price range where neither buyers or sellers get what they want. “We…… Continue Reading
Mixed midweek finishes for soybeans, corn, wheat
Soybeans were mixed, with nearby contracts down and deferred months up. The U.S. and China are scheduled to meet this weekend for tariff talks, but a lot of the early support tied to that news largely died out before midday, with a low probability of the situation being resolved quickly. New crop prices were firm…… Continue Reading
Sen. Ricketts sees bright future for U.S. ethanol
U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts says the ethanol industry has a strong future. During a recent press call, he said the Trump administration has made biofuels a priority. “Our ag secretary, Brooke Rollins, says that biofuels are a part of American energy dominance. That’s fantastic to hear our ag secretary talk that way.” The Nebraska Republican…… Continue Reading
Strong stands in southeastern South Dakota
A South Dakota farmer says there were some planting delays on his family’s operation this year. Darren Hefty farms near Sioux Falls and says some widespread rains occurred during April. “I love that our early planted corn is already out of the ground and we still have some in the bag. The stuff in the…… Continue Reading
Water quality efforts continue in Iowa
Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig says water quality continues to be a major focus in the state. He tells Brownfield the state has been restoring some abandoned coal mine properties. “We’re working with landowners and restoring them to more useful productive ground like hay ground or pasture ground. They can really be beautiful sites and…… Continue Reading
Accurate forecasts vital for farmers
An agronomist with Bayer says accurate weather forecasts are vital for modern agriculture. Lance Tarochione, who covers west central Illinois, says farmers rely on weather data, especially during planting season. “Farmers are more obsessed with weather than weather men are I think.” He says, “We can’t help but look at it because so many of…… Continue Reading
