At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were sharply higher on Tuesday with optimism about the week’s direct business, the sharply higher boxed beef during the session, and the lower move in corn. October live cattle closed $2.92 higher at $229.02 and December live cattle closed $2.42 higher at $230.90. September feeder cattle…… Continue Reading
Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: August 12, 2025
Sep. corn closed at $3.71 and 1/2, down 13 and 1/2 centsSep. soybeans closed at $10.12 and 3/4, up 21 centsSep. soybean meal closed at $281.40, up 60 centsSep. soybean oil closed at 53.24, up 5 pointsSep. wheat closed at $5.05, down 10 centsOct. live cattle closed at $229.02, up $2.92Sep. feeder cattle closed at…… Continue Reading
Favorable weather might mean record corn, soybean yields
Favorable weather in many key U.S. growing areas has pushed corn and soybean yield projections to record levels. The USDA expects this year’s corn yield to be 188.8 bushels per acre, including all-time highs in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Wisconsin, with production seen at bin-busting 16.742 billion bushels. The USDA did…… Continue Reading
Dairy farm successful bringing bottled milk to consumers
PHOTO: Brody Stapel at his farm with former Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue A southeastern Wisconsin farmer has found success by bringing back home milk delivery. Brody Stapel and his family operate Double Dutch Dairy near Cedar Grove, Wisconsin. He tells Brownfield they’ve been delivering milk in glass bottles to home clients along with eggs, meat,…… Continue Reading
EPA moves forward with guidance addressing DEF concerns
The EPA is moving forward with its plan to address concerns from farmers and others about Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) systems. EPA administrator Lee Zeldin says the agency is taking action to protect American farmers, truckers, and other diesel equipment operators from sudden speed and power losses caused by DEF systems. “We’re putting out guidance…… Continue Reading
Kansas farmer concerned about early onset of fall armyworms
A north central Kansas farmer says an unusually early invasion of fall armyworms could threaten his alfalfa crop. Shale Porter tells Brownfield he’s seen the pest about six weeks earlier than normal. “We took our third cutting off. We’re going to have to apply an insecticide on that. We have fall army worms about every…… Continue Reading
Naig: Poultry shows successful at state fair, no H5N1 restrictions needed
Iowa’s Ag Secretary says poultry shows and exhibits have been a success at this year’s Iowa State Fair. Mike Naig tells Brownfield he’s thankful that it’s been a very quiet year when it comes to highly pathogenic avian influenza. “I’m so happy to say we had no (H5N1) restrictions,” he said. “Even throughout the entire…… Continue Reading
USDA expects more dairy cows, more milk
USDA’s August Supply and Demand report is projecting more dairy cows, more milk production, and more cheese and butter exports. USDA increased its expected milk production forecasts for this year and next year based on cow inventories in the most recent Milk Production report. Output per cow is also expected to go up for this…… Continue Reading
Maquoketa farmer wins ‘Super Bull’ contest at Iowa State Fair
An eastern Iowa cattle producer was named the winner of the 2025 Super Bull contest at the 2025 Iowa State Fair. Mark Till of Maquoketa tells Brownfield his angus bull named “Bud” weighted in at 3,110 pounds. “I bought him two years ago from a gentleman,” he said. “When I bought him, he told me…… Continue Reading
Economy and uncertainty slowing climate-smart practice adoption
Many farmers are anxiously awaiting further details on the 45Z tax credits. Keith Byerly, sustainability lead with Mosaic, says that although much is still unknown about the details of the credits, they could bring added income to the farmgate. “We know it’s locked in through 2029. Beyond that, unfortunately, we don’t know a whole lot…… Continue Reading
