Corn finishes Friday firm

Soybeans were mixed, mostly modestly lower, while still closing firm for the week in the most active months. Beans consolidated Friday with some influence during the session from both soybean meal and soybean oil. The March contract did trade above $10 during the session but was unable to close above that mark. Crop conditions generally…Continue Reading

Lobbyist says Rollins nomination could be good for ag

The head lobbyist for Syngenta says President-elect Trump’s nomination of Brooke Rollins for Secretary of Agriculture could be good for the industry. Mary Kay Thatcher tells Brownfield, “I think that she’s got some good background.”  She says, “She grew up on a farm, has an agricultural degree, was a state FFA officer, and she served…Continue Reading

H5N1 found in Iowa, first detection since June

Highly pathogenic avian influenza has been detected in a flock of commercial layer chickens in Sioux County, Iowa. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship says it’s the state’s first confirmed case of H5N1 since June, and the fourth overall within poultry this year. According to IDALS, H5N1 is a viral disease that affects…Continue Reading

Tar spot attacks slowly, creating management challenges

A plant pathologist says tar spot is unlike many crop diseases.  Dr. Damon Smith with the University of Wisconsin tells Brownfield they’re learning more about the biology of the tar spot fungus, and finding it attacks plants slower, and then ramps up. “That tar spot fungus is really sneaky. It actually gets into the plant…Continue Reading

Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: December 6, 2024

Mar. corn closed at $4.40, up 5 centsJan. soybeans closed at $9.93 and 3/4, unchangedJan. soybean meal closed at $287.40, down $3.70Jan. soybean oil closed at 42.97, up 66 pointsMar. wheat closed at $5.57 and 1/4, down 1 centFeb. live cattle closed at $186.17, down 15 centsJan. feeder cattle closed at $255.82, up 90 centsFeb.…Continue Reading

Protect your eyes as part of H5N1 plan

The National Farm Medicine Center says the H5N1 avian influenza virus is not a big threat to human health.  Melissa Ploeckelman tells Brownfield when people contract the virus, it’s similar to other flu viruses. “You maybe have some respiratory symptoms. Maybe you get diarrhea, you feel tired, but it’s nothing life-threatening. Most farmers are going…Continue Reading

Northern Illinois saw record yields in 2024

A pair of northern Illinois seed representatives say many farmers saw record yields in 2024. Jake Anderson covers the northern third of the state as a sales agronomist for Stine Seeds. “We had some of the best corn yields we’ve ever seen.”  He says, “Soybean yields were acceptable to great, but kind of hit and…Continue Reading

2024 Nebraska Ag Expo to feature latest advancements in agriculture

Cindy Feldman, marketing director with the Iowa-Nebraska Equipment Dealers Association speaks with Brownfield’s Brandon Peoples about the upcoming Nebraska Ag Expo, taking place Dec 10-12 in Lincoln, Nebraska. AUDIO: Nebraska Ag Expo preview I’m speaking here with Cindy Feldman, marketing director with the Iowa Nebraska Equipment Dealers Association, the Nebraska Ag Expo is taking place…Continue Reading

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