At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were up, watching direct trade develop at sharply higher prices. February live cattle closed $2.42 higher at $230.95 and April live cattle closed $2.30 higher at $230.67. January feeder cattle closed $5.02 higher at $343.40 and March feeder cattle closed $4.85 higher at $337.67. There was…… Continue Reading
Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: December 11, 2025
Mar. corn $4.46 and 1/2, up 2 and 1/4 centsJan. soybeans $10.93 and 1/2, up 2 and 1/4 centsJan. soybean meal $302.10, up 90 centsJan soybean oil 50.82, down 27 pointsMar. Chicago wheat $5.33 and 1/2, up 4 centsFeb. live cattle $230.95, up $2.42Jan. feeder cattle $343.47, up $5.02Feb. lean hogs $84.17, up $1.75Jan. Class…… Continue Reading
Soybeans, corn manage modestly higher finishes after CONAB Brazil numbers
Soybeans were modestly higher on short covering and technical buying. CONAB’s soybean guess for Brazil was down modestly on the month at 177.124 million tons but still record large and 3.3% above a year ago. Development weather in Brazil and Argentina continues to look mostly favorable. Ahead of the open Thursday, China bought another 264,000…… Continue Reading
Food economist warns tariffs are pushing prices higher as Trump targets price fixing
A food economist says the current tariff environment has been one of the most disruptive events to global food supply chains since COVID. David Ortega with Michigan State University says tariffs are increasing food costs for consumers by raising prices throughout the supply chain and compounding inflationary pressures. “As far as we can see from the data on…… Continue Reading
Farmers see AI playing a bigger role in automation, soil decisions
Some farmers say artificial intelligence has a place in agriculture. Southwest Ohio farmer Eric Tipton says AI could be beneficial for automation technology. “Those sorts of things like facial recognition and, in our case, object recognition,” Tipton said, “where that tractor or vehicle has to recognize the difference between a human being and a rock.”…… Continue Reading
Michigan vegetables and processing contribute nearly $5.4 billion
A new economic report by Michigan State University assesses the impact of the state’s vegetable industry. Ag economist Bill Knudson tells Brownfield vegetable farming contributes nearly $5.4 billion annually to Michigan’s economy. “There are a lot of vegetable products that are very well suited for where they’re going, and you couldn’t switch over to corn…… Continue Reading
Solar leases offering long-term income option for retiring farmers
A land acquisition manager with Aggreko Energy Transition Solutions says the slumping ag economy is bringing increased interest in using farmland for solar projects. Manny Uzcategui tells Brownfield, “People tend to think putting solar panels on your farmland makes you no longer farming, but generating an income off your land is what farming is. So,…… Continue Reading
CME cash dairy prices mixed
Cash dairy prices were mixed on Thursday on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Dry whey unchanged at $0.76. Blocks down $0.0025 at $1.3450. One sale was made at that price. Barrels unchanged at $1.4125. Butter up $0.0025 at $1.48. Five sales were made at $1.4750 to $1.48. Nonfat dry milk down $0.0050 at $1.1650. The post…… Continue Reading
Farmers weigh how to use Trump administration bridge payments
Some ag producers are determining how they’ll use the recently announced bridge payment to improve their bottom lines. Eastern Nebraska farmer Mike Tomes says financial pressure has been mounting for some time. “I’m probably no different than a lot of people. I’m struggling to pay my operating note and income tax that is owed from…… Continue Reading
Ohio Farm Bureau says long-term support needed as farmers continue to face policy uncertainty
Ohio Farm Bureau’s senior director of state and national policy says farmers needs long-term support as the ag industry continues to face uncertainty heading into 2026. Brad Bales says the Trump administration’s bridge payments were a welcomed announcement, but only provide temporary relief. “Input prices are at record highs,” he says. “We have stagnant commodity…… Continue Reading
