An ag economist says he’s expecting larger crop insurance payments in 2026. Greg Ibendahl with Kansas State University says lower commodity prices are likely to continue. “But, I think we’re going to see a nice kick in of government payments from the One Big Beautiful Bill. There were some changes to that, and government payments…… Continue Reading
Indiana farmland values reach record highs in 2025
Indiana farmland values have climbed to a record high in 2025, according to the annual Farmland Values and Cash Rents Survey. Purdue University ag economist Michael Langemeier says the 3 percent increase is driven largely by farmland’s strength as an asset. “The appreciation of land values is just as important, if not more important, to…… Continue Reading
Residue management can help farmers boost yields in 2026
A crop researcher at the University of Illinois says residue management can help farmers boost yields in 2026. Connor Sible says the strategy can be utilized on no-till systems or conventional tillage operations. “In no-till, it’s probably a stronger response with a greater return,” he says. “That doesn’t mean in a conventional till system that…… Continue Reading
Cattle, hog futures mixed Thursday
Chicago Mercantile Exchange live and feeder cattle futures were mixed, watching the direct markets and waiting for Friday’s USDA Cattle on Feed report. Ahead of that report, placement of cattle into U.S. feedlots are expected to be sharply below a year ago. October live cattle were down $.12 at $234.72 and December was $.05 lower…… Continue Reading
July milk production up more than 3%
The trend of higher U.S. milk production continued in July. USDA says nationally, production was up 3.4% and production in the 24 major producing states was up 3.5%. Along with increased July production, USDA revised the June report showing it was also up 3.4 from 2024. Production in the major producing states was 18.8 billion…… Continue Reading
Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: August 21, 2025
Sep. corn closed at $3.87 and 1/4, up 7 and 1/4 centsSep. soybeans closed at $10.34 and 1/2, up 19 and 1/2 centsSep. soybean meal closed at $296.80, up $4.80Sep. soybean oil closed at 53.64, up 244 pointsSep. wheat closed at $5.07, up 1 and 1/2 centsOct. live cattle closed at $234.72, down 12 centsSep.…… Continue Reading
Navigators can guide farm families through transitions
A land transfer navigator says free services are available to help guide families through tough conversations about a farm’s future. Becky Huttenga tells Brownfield setting goals as a family to ensure a farm’s viability across generations can be challenging. “Us as land transfer navigators can sit down with the family and try to help facilitate those…… Continue Reading
Soybeans up on short covering, soybean oil
Soybeans were higher on short covering and technical buying. Beans are watching a major crop tour, which has had very big yield estimates in some areas. However, weather will need to be nearly ideal to finish things out and many forecasts have a drier medium-term pattern on tap for eastern portions of the region. There…… Continue Reading
July red meat production 4% below last year
Commercial red meat production during July fell 4% on the year to 4.357 billion pounds. The USDA says both beef and pork production saw 4% year-to-year declines because of slower processing paces for cattle and hogs at 2.185 billion and 2.519 billion pounds, respectively. That slower processing pace was for all types of hogs and…… Continue Reading
Rep. Sorensen touts on-farm energy production
A member of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee says Congress needs to do more to support on-farm energy production. Northern Illinois farmer Scott Brenner’s 1100 head dairy farm currently features the only methane digester in the state of Illinois. “We’re breaking down the carbon that’s left in the manure.” He says, “We’re producing methane gas,…… Continue Reading
