Port strikes bring questions about feed imports and ag exports

The CEO of the National Grain and Feed Association says he’s trying to better understand how feed ingredients are affected by the ongoing port strikes. “There’s a lot of discussion about imports and while retail and others saw this coming and could plan ahead, we’re trying to emphasize the importance of imports for our membership.”…Continue Reading

Duration of port strikes a big factor for U.S. red meat exports

Erin Borror, the vice president of economic analysis with the U.S. Meat Export Federation, says U.S. beef and pork exports are affected as port strikes happen along the East and Gulf Coasts. “These ports accommodated about $2.8 billion worth of U.S. red meat exports in the first seven months of the year. That’s about $400…Continue Reading

Hurricane Helene historic impact to rural cooperatives

The CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association says Hurricane Helene has had a historical impact across seven southeastern states. In a call Tuesday afternoon with reporters, Jim Matheson says around 500,000 cooperative members remain without power. “We’ve never seen something like this in some of our service territories.”  He says, “I always like…Continue Reading

Nebraska farmer who faced replanting expecting average yields

An Eastern Nebraska farmer says he’s expecting average yields for corn and soybeans. Quentin Connealy, who farms near Tekamah, tells Brownfield… “It kind of depends on the ground. Some of it got hurt in this little dry spell, but the good ground held it’s ground, and we’re looking at some pretty good yields coming off…Continue Reading

Sluggish day for direct cash cattle trade

Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures were up and feeders were down, waiting for this week’s direct business. Feeders had some additional pressure from the higher move in corn. December live was up $.37 at $185.17 and February was $.32 higher at $186.17. November feeders were down $.22 at $244.67 and January was $.32 lower…Continue Reading

USDA announces $1.7 billion in local food purchases 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is making a major investment in local and regional foods. Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small tells Brownfield nearly $2 billion in Commodity Credit Corporation funds are being dedicated to emergency food assistance. “This is going to help states purchase food for food banks and also for schools and for the…Continue Reading

Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: October 1, 2024

Dec. corn closed at $4.29, up 4 and 1/4 centsNov. soybeans closed at $10.57 and 1/4, up 1/4 centDec. soybean meal closed at $347.50, up $5.90Dec. soybean oil closed at 42.91, down 40 pointsDec. wheat closed at $5.99, up 15 centsDec. live cattle closed at $185.17, up 37 centsNov. feeder cattle closed at $244.67, down…Continue Reading

Climatologist gives update on Mississippi, Ohio River levels

A climatologist says water levels along some portions of the Mississippi River have increased due to recent rain events stemming from Hurricane Helene. Dennis Todey says the higher river levels could be beneficial for ag transportation. “Some of those heavier rainfalls out in the east going through the Ohio River Valley were going to push…Continue Reading

Up day for soybeans, corn, wheat

Soybeans were modestly higher on fund and technical buying. Near-term harvest conditions generally look favorable for much of the region, but parts of the southeast will see ongoing delays as they assess crop damage following Helene. The widespread U.S. port strike will have at least some impact on shipping out of the East Coast. Unknown…Continue Reading

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