At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle ended Wednesday session mixed on spread activity, the mixed midday move in boxed beef, and traders waiting for widespread direct business to get underway. Direct trade was light during the midweek session, but sharply lower than last week, which might be a sign concerns about beef…… Continue Reading
Cattle market strength rewarding but makes replacements costly, Iowa farmer says
A southwest Iowa farmer says strong cattle prices have been rewarding. Jeff Jorgenson is a cow-calf producer from Sidney… “We’re at about the top of the top,” he said. “I’ve never had cattle sell the way they have, or calves sell the way they have. That’s worked out really well.” He tells Brownfield the biggest…… Continue Reading
Farmers warn federal shutdown could cause cash flow, market challenges
Some farmers say the latest federal government shutdown makes a difficult economic situation even worse. “Basically, we’re kind of numb to it because we’re trying to get the crop in.” But, central Illinois farmer Rob Shaffer, says the uncertainty is piling up. “Is there anybody negotiating a China trade deal? What is this going to…… Continue Reading
Farmers face uncertainty amid farm bill delay and ongoing trade tensions
The executive head of Terrian says producers need additional risk management tools to help navigate the current farm economy. John Newton says, “We need to get a farm bill done and we could not get a farm bill done.” The U.S. Senate failed to pass a continuing resolution to fund the government on Tuesday night,…… Continue Reading
Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: October 1, 2025
Dec. corn $4.16 and 1/2, up 1 centNov. soybeans $10.13, up 11 and 1/4 centsDec. soybean meal $273.60, up 30 centsDec. soybean oil 50.42, up 93 pointsDec. Chicago wheat $5.09 and 1/4, up 1 and 1/4 centsDec. live cattle $234.50, down 27 centsNov. feeder cattle $357.60, down $1.75Dec. lean hogs $86.90, down $1.82Nov. Class III…… Continue Reading
Warm weather delays sugarbeet harvest in west-central Minnesota
Unseasonably warm weather is slowing the sugarbeet harvest in west-central Minnesota. Noah Hultgren of Raymond says the local beet cooperative typically starts full harvest by the beginning of October. “With the warm weather that we’re having right now, they don’t like to store beets with that warm of temps. So they’re looking to push back…… Continue Reading
CME cash dairy prices mostly higher
Cash dairy prices were mixed, mostly higher at midweek on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange as a lower dollar incentivized buyers. Dry whey down $0.0075 at $0.64. Blocks up $0.0350 at $1.7550. Two sales were made at $1.75 and $1.7550. Barrels up $0.0350 at $1.7250. Butter up $0.0150 at $1.7250. Seven sales were made from $1.7250…… Continue Reading
Shutdown could deepen struggles for soybean farmers facing low demand and loan needs
The director of government relations with the Illinois Soybean Association says the organization is concerned that a prolonged government shutdown will make this year even more difficult for producers. Andrew Larson tells Brownfield, “Not having your local FSA office, or local NRCS folks, be able to go into work and do their jobs and help…… Continue Reading
Ethanol production falls, but solid demand and profitable margins offer optimism for farmers
Ethanol production drifted lower last week as producers continued seasonal maintenance. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says production averaged 995,000 barrels per day, falling 29,000 on the week as plants prepare for more new crop corn deliveries and 20,000 on the year. That was the first daily average below a million barrels per day since…… Continue Reading
Brazil’s competitive advantage in soybean production is concerning
An assistant professor at Purdue University says Brazil’s competitive advantage in soybean production is concerning for U.S. farmers. Joana Colussi says the U.S. continues to lose market share at a rapid pace. “Around 75 percent of exports from Brazil went to China,” she says. “Just in August, 85 percent of their total soybeans sold went…… Continue Reading
