Soybeans were modestly higher on commercial and technical buying. The trade was monitoring U.S. planting and development conditions, and there was spillover support from bean oil on biofuels demand expectations. The session also featured position squaring ahead of CONAB’s monthly update for Brazil’s crops and the USDA’s weekly export sales numbers, both of which are…… Continue Reading
Lean hog futures close lower amid ongoing demand uncertainties
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were sharply lower on technical weakness, waiting on direct business to develop. June live cattle closed $2.37 lower at $213.95 and August live cattle closed $2.25 lower at $209.37. August feeder cattle closed $4.02 lower at $301.97 and September feeder cattle closed $4.07 lower at $300.97.…… Continue Reading
John Deere breaks ground on $13.5M expansion in Strafford, Missouri
John Deere says it’s moving forward with a major expansion project at its Strafford, Missouri Remanufacturing facility. Factory manager Kevin Schrag tells Brownfield the company is investing $13.5 million to expand the facility by 120,000 square feet. “It’s a really big deal,” he said. “The employees here are really excited to see this. They’re excited…… Continue Reading
Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: May 14, 2025
Jul. corn closed at $4.45 and 1/2, up 3 centsJul. soybeans closed at $10.77 and 3/4, up 5 and 1/4 centsJul. soybean meal closed at $291.90, down $1.40Jul. soybean oil closed at 52.32, up 84 pointsJul. wheat closed at $5.24 and 3/4, up 7 and 1/2 centsJun. live cattle closed at $213.95, down $2.37Aug. feeder…… Continue Reading
Minnesota farmer brings new crops into rotation
A farmer in west-central Minnesota added some new crops to his rotation this year. Nathan Collins of Murdock says he’s growing sugarbeets, kidney beans, and organics for the first time. “Looking at forecasting out long-term. Short-term, it would be nice to have something a little more profitable. But long-term, I think it’s just a better…… Continue Reading
Turkey hatchery numbers decline in April
Turkey hatchery numbers continue to point to lower production in 2025 than 2024. The USDA says 24.773 million turkey eggs were in incubation on May 1st, 2025, down 1% from April 1st of this year and modestly less than May 1st of last year. That’s partially due to a decline in layer inventory caused by…… Continue Reading
CRP enrollments open for 40th year
Farmers can now sign up for continuous and general Conservation Reserve Program options through USDA’s Farm Service Agency. South Dakota farmer Lynn Tjeerdsma has had land enrolled in the program since it began 40 years ago. “CRP is no longer considered where we put the whole landscape in, the whole farm,” he says. “We need…… Continue Reading
Planting winding down in southwest Iowa
Planting has wrapped up for a southwest Iowa farmer. Ray Gaesser tells Brownfield he finished his last field on Monday but the bulk of his progress ended last week. “Most people have finished up around here. I will say that the corn stands look really good and the soybean stands look good. We’re off to…… Continue Reading
Ethanol leaders pleased with 45Z inclusion, but room for improvement
Biofuel industry leaders are happy to see the proposed extension of Clean Fuel Production Credits known as 45Z in the Budget Reconciliation Bill, but they say there’s room for improvement. Brian Jennings with the American Coalition for Ethanol tells Brownfield the prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements that were tied to most of the Biden era…… Continue Reading
Frequent spells of showers, storms across the Heartland ahead of much cooler air
Looking ahead, the 6- to 10-day outlook calls for the likelihood of below-normal temperatures across much of the northern half of the U.S., while warmer-than-normal weather will prevail in California, western Nevada, and from the southern Plains to the southern Atlantic Coast. Meanwhile, near- or above-normal precipitation across most of the country should contrast with…… Continue Reading
