Jul. corn closed at $4.61, up 6 and 1/2 centsJul. soybeans closed at $10.62 and 3/4, up 9 and 3/4 centsJul. soybean meal closed at $294.10, up $1.50Jul. soybean oil closed at 49.83, up 33 pointsJul. wheat closed at $5.49 and 1/4, up 3 and 1/4 centsJun. live cattle closed at $214.15, up 97 centsAug.…… Continue Reading
Soybeans, corn, wheat hold upward trend
Soybeans were higher on short covering and technical buying. The trade’s monitoring chances for more near-term U.S. planting delays. Still, that should be beneficial long-term, especially in areas that haven’t been hit hard by severe weather and flooding. Soybeans, and commodities in general, continue to wait for more clarity on the tariff situation. Portions of…… Continue Reading
USDA Under Secretary nominees commit to doing more with less
The Trump administration’s nominees for two key Under Secretary positions pledged to uphold USDA services with reduced resources during Wednesday’s confirmation hearing. Senate Ag Committee Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar raised concerns about workforce reductions with Under Secretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Regulatory Programs nominee Dudley Hoskins. “The National Animal Health Lab Network Office has…… Continue Reading
Broiler placements down on week, up on year
USDA broiler hatchery data continues to imply higher production this year than last year. The USDA says 251.544 million broiler-type eggs were set into incubation last week, rising 1.083 million from the previous week and 1% from a year ago, with average hatchability improving slightly to 79.2%. 193.276 million broiler-type chicks were placed into meat…… Continue Reading
Eastern Nebraska farmers get rain, finally
Widespread rainfall this week has brought much-needed relief to on-going drought conditions for some farmers in eastern Nebraska. Lukas Fricke of Ulysses, 90 minutes west of Omaha, says he received more than an inch of rain. “I cannot even describe it. It is so significantly dry. We’ve had to move a ton of soil to…… Continue Reading
Rains welcomed
A north central Illinois farmer says the recent rains are welcomed. David Mool, who raises corn, soybeans, and cattle in northern McLean County, says the dry fall has continued into a relatively dry spring in his area. “Or wet periods have been few and far between or have been fairly variable.” He says, “Yeah, we…… Continue Reading
Beck’s Hybrids cuts ribbon on new Nebraska research facility
Beck’s Hybrids is expanding its genetic research and corn breeding programs in the Western Corn Belt. President Scott Beck tells Brownfield a new 400-acre facility near Seward in Eastern Nebraska will help develop crops that are tolerant to the region’s climate. “This breeding station will help us identify products that can handle heat, drought, wind…… Continue Reading
John Deere to invest $20 billion in U.S. over next decade
John Deere plans to invest $20 billion in the U.S. over the next decade. Chief Financial Officer Josh Jepsen tells Brownfield the announcement reiterates the company’s commitment to U.S. manufacturing. “Our roots are in manufacturing here in the U.S. we’re 188 years old. And the vast majority of that in the Midwest, really in Iowa…… Continue Reading
Ethanol production rises as domestic supply dips
U.S. ethanol production had a week-to-week increase. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says production averaged 1.036 million barrels per day, rising 43,000 from the previous as some plants wrapped up seasonal maintenance and moving 17,000 above a year ago. Iowa State University’s Center for Agricultural and Rural Development says estimated operating margins for the average…… Continue Reading
Previewing Friday’s On Feed report from the USDA
The USDA’s next Cattle on Feed report is out Friday. Charley Martinez, University of Tennessee ag economist says, “I’m always interested to see just where we are in terms of total numbers.” He tells Brownfield that recently released reports from the USDA have noted the indefinite suspension of live cattle imports from Mexico. “I would…… Continue Reading
