Soybeans were modestly lower on fund and technical selling. 70% of the U.S. crop is rated good to excellent, up 4% on the week and the highest rating for this point of the season in a few years, while near-term crop weather remains generally favorable. The NOPA member crush numbers for June were bullish, largely…… Continue Reading
Grassley frustrated with Brazil’s ethanol tariffs
U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley says he’s asking the Trump administration to address Brazil’s 18% tariff on ethanol imports. “Brazil’s unfair tariffs have allowed the country to shelter its domestic ethanol industry from competition here in the United States. Brazil is trying to take global market share away from the United States by producing artificially cheap…… Continue Reading
CME cash dairy prices mixed
Cash dairy prices were mixed Tuesday on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange with global markets and the dollar seeing improvements. Dry whey increased $0.0050 to $0.5725. Blocks down $0.02 at $1.6250. Four sales were made at $1.6250 and $1.63. Barrels down $0.02 at $1.55. Butter down $0.04 at $2.54. Nonfat dry milk up $0.0075 at $1.2750.…… Continue Reading
Running out of time for old crop
The co-founder of AgMarket.net says farmers with bins full of old crop are running out of time. Matt Bennett, who also farms in central Illinois, tells Brownfield, “A lot of folks have been waiting on that summer weather market, and it’s just never come to pass.” He says, “This is really the third year in…… Continue Reading
Self-sabotage a problem in agriculture
Commentary. I have been writing about it in this column for more than twenty years, yet it never ceases to amaze me how otherwise rational adults can turn into combative middle schoolers the moment certain hot-button topics hit the table. Topics like antibiotic use in livestock, glyphosate, GMOs, climate change and carbon markets. Toss in…… Continue Reading
Minnesota Summer Beef Tour highlights include strong prices, good weather
Cattle producers in the Upper Midwest are encouraged by strong beef prices and beneficial weather. Speaking to Brownfield during the Minnesota Cattlemen’s Summer Beef Tour in Little Falls, Minnesota, Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association executive director Kaitlyn Root called the cattle market “wild.” “You talk to cattle producers that have been in this business for 30,…… Continue Reading
Capital gains tax update coming in Missouri
The immediate past president of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association says he’s glad to see a bill that addresses the capital gains tax get signed into law. Chuck Miller says capital gains taxes make it more challenging to pass the farm on to the next generation. “This will give us the opportunity then to be more…… Continue Reading
Missouri to require permit for out of state water use
A bill recently signed into law would require a permitting process to ship water out of Missouri. “We’re seeing it today, countries, states and regions fighting over access to water rights and many people have said water is the new gold, the further you go west, the more valuable it becomes,” Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe…… Continue Reading
Missouri Farm Bureau health plan signed into law
A bill that would allow Missouri Farm Bureau to offer a health plan to its members was signed into law on Monday. Governor Mike Kehoe says Missouri’s farm families will have more options than they had before “an affordable option I might add, so we’re excited to see what the expansion of coverage can do…… Continue Reading
Farmer frustrated by crop protection tool restrictions
A farmer in southeast Nebraska says restrictions on some crop protection tools are making it more difficult to manage weed pressure. “Weed prevention is a big problem.” Clint Damme of Talmage says it’s been a struggle to find pesticides that help control problematic weeds. “Some of the regulations you can’t spray Dicamba over-the-top on the…… Continue Reading
